A blade coupling mechanism (116) for ahand-held surgical cutting instrument (102) includes a firstcoupling member (118) including a first blade-contactingsurface (130) and a first outer perimeter sidewall (132)ad-jacent the first blade contacting surface. It also includes asecond coupling member (120) including a secondblade--contacting surface (160) facing the first blade-contactingsurface of the first coupling member. The second couplingmember includes- a second outer perimeter sidewall (164)adjacent the second blade contacting surface. The secondblade-contacting surface and the second outer perimetersidewall meet to define an outer edge (168). The secondcoupling member including a bore (156) through thesec-ond blade contacting surface. The bore and the secondblade contacting surface meeting to define an inner edge(166). Blade- engaging protrusions project (172) from atleast one of the first and second blade-contacting surfaces.The protrusions are spaced closer to the outer edge than theinner edge.
