A disposable bipolar or unipolar electrosurgical handpiece having an extendable and retractable active electrode end and housed in a relatively inexpensive body comprising an activating handle for use in various electrosurgical procedures. The housing comprises slidable axially-aligned body sections coupled to rigid axially-spaced arms of the actuating handle, the arms extending both below and above the common axis of the body sections and comprising concave portions configured to receive fingers of the user. The arrangement allows the user to use 2, 3 or 4 fingers and thumb to operate the handpiece both in a normal and an inverted position.