Abstract: The invention involves an instrument with a set of grasping jaws such as found on surgical needle drivers, hemostats, grasping forceps, and clamps. In addition to the grasping jaws for holding and grasping material, it includes a set of cutting shears or scissors that operate in the same main working jaws. It functions as a standard needle holder with grasping and locking functions with the use of two main actuating limbs. When desired, the instrument is easily converted by a simple action of the operator from a grasping device into a cutting device and then can be used in a familiar fashion, such as employed for scissors, to repeatedly cut sutures or material. Again, with a simple action by the operator, the instrument can be converted back to a grasping device. Both grasping and cutting functions take place in the same location on the device.