A monopolar-based electrosurgical handpiece includes a body, a distal tip, and a tip-support housing joining the distal tip to the body. A first electrode located in the distal tip is coupleable to a first active lead for cutting tissue, together with a remote return electrode. The first electrode includes a discrete exposed cutting surface area. The distal tip also includes a second electrode coupleable to the first active lead for coagulating tissue, together with the remote return electrode. The second electrode has a discrete exposed coagulating surface area larger than the discrete exposed cutting surface area. An electrically non-conducting support is secured to the first electrode, and defines the discrete exposed cutting surface area where the first electrode is uncovered by the electrically non-conducting support. The support strengthens the distal tip, and electrically separates the first electrode from the second electrode. The handpiece further includes at least one switch in the body for selectively coupling the first active lead to one of the first electrode and the second electrode.
