Surgical instrument with end effector assembly

An endoscopic instrument includes an elongate hollow member, an actuator that moves axially through the hollow member, and first and second end effectors with respective tissue engaging edges. At least one of the end effectors is rotatably coupled to the hollow member adjacent its distal end. At least one of the end effectors includes a base supporting a resilient leaf-spring portion that includes a respective cutting edge. The resilient leaf-spring portion extends from the base in a cantilevered arrangement and generates a spring force acting on the respective cutting edge such that in a loaded state there is an automatic preload force imparted between the cutting edges of the end effectors to maintain a consistent and continuous mating force between the two opposed tissue engaging edges preferably over the complete range of rotational movement of the end effectors.