A hand-held surgical instrument used to cut the abdominal tissue, in particular the abdominal wall tissue, during surgery. It comprises two pivoted blades that are usually provided with ring handles which cut with a shearing action (i.e., the blades cut as the sharpened edges pass one another as they are closed). It is typically made of high-grade stainless steel and is available in various heavy pattern (robust) designs and sizes; the blades may have different shapes. Some types can have carbide inserts along the cutting edges. This is a reusable device.