Abstract: A gripping and/or cutting instrument for endoscopic purposes, comprising two limbs that are pivotable relative to one another around an axis and that each respectively comprise a lug for fingers of a user, one of the limbs being hinged to a proximal end of a transmission rod, and having a support shoulder for a finger of the user at the lug of this limb. Two blades are provided movable relative to one another between an open position and a closed position, one thereof being hinged such to a distal end of the transmission rod that the closed position is achieved by applying a pressure onto the transmission rod, whereas the opened position is achieved by applying a pulling force onto the transmission rod, and in that the support shoulder is curved in the direction toward the second limb.