An electrosurgical system comprising: a handpiece including: a) a first working arm, b) a second working arm, and c) a blade electrode; and an activation circuit having a first switch state and a second switch state, wherein: a therapy current is conducted between the first working arm and the second working arm when the activation circuit is in the second switch state; the first working arm and the second working arm of the handpiece are longitudinally static and movable relative to each other to create a gripping force when the blade electrode is in a first position, and the blade electrode is electrically disconnected from a power source and the blade electrode is retracted relative to the first working arm and the second working arm so that power cannot pass through the blade electrode when the blade electrode is in the first position, the blade electrode including an insulator sleeve that extends over and is fixedly connected to a portion of the blade electrode that is in contact with a voltage source when the blade electrode is in the first position so that power is prevented from passing through the blade electrode; wherein the blade electrode, in a second position, is extended beyond the first working arm and the second working arm; the therapy current is conducted between the blade electrode and an adjacent handpiece component when the activation circuit is in the second switch state and the blade electrode is in a second position, and the first working arm and the second working arm are shorted to each other or electrically disconnected so that power cannot pass through the first working arm and the second working arm, or both when the blade electrode is in the second position; and wherein the therapy current is not conducted when the activation circuit is in the first switch state. a handpiece including: a) a first working arm, b) a second working arm, and c) a blade electrode; and a) a first working arm, b) a second working arm, and c) a blade electrode; and an activation circuit having a first switch state and a second switch state, wherein: a therapy current is conducted between the first working arm and the second working arm when the activation circuit is in the second switch state; the first working arm and the second working arm of the handpiece are longitudinally static and movable relative to each other to create a gripping force when the blade electrode is in a first position, and the blade electrode is electrically disconnected from a power source and the blade electrode is retracted relative to the first working arm and the second working arm so that power cannot pass through the blade electrode when the blade electrode is in the first position, the blade electrode including an insulator sleeve that extends over and is fixedly connected to a portion of the blade electrode that is in contact with a voltage source when the blade electrode is in the first position so that power is prevented from passing through the blade electrode; a therapy current is conducted between the first working arm and the second working arm when the activation circuit is in the second switch state; the first working arm and the second working arm of the handpiece are longitudinally static and movable relative to each other to create a gripping force when the blade electrode is in a first position, and the blade electrode is electrically disconnected from a power source and the blade electrode is retracted relative to the first working arm and the second working arm so that power cannot pass through the blade electrode when the blade electrode is in the first position, the blade electrode including an insulator sleeve that extends over and is fixedly connected to a portion of the blade electrode that is in contact with a voltage source when the blade electrode is in the first position so that power is prevented from passing through the blade electrode; wherein the blade electrode, in a second position, is extended beyond the first working arm and the second working arm; the therapy current is conducted between the blade electrode and an adjacent handpiece component when the activation circuit is in the second switch state and the blade electrode is in a second position, and the first working arm and the second working arm are shorted to each other or electrically disconnected so that power cannot pass through the first working arm and the second working arm, or both when the blade electrode is in the second position; and wherein the therapy current is not conducted when the activation circuit is in the first switch state.