The invention relates to a pricking device (1) for taking a blood sample, comprising a movable holding device (5) for pricking means (4), means (12) for driving the movable holding device and a release device (19) for releasing the pricking movement (13) of the pricking means. When the release device has been manually actuated, the movable holding device can be axially moved by a spring force of a drive spring (9) of the drive means (12), and a tensing device (22) for tensing the drive spring. Said tensing device comprises a tensing mechanism (23) comprising means (24) for axially stopping the movable holding device during the tensing of the drive spring and means (25) for working during the tensing of the drive spring enabling said pricking device to be comfortable to use even when being used several times.