A surgical instrument that includes first and second jaws that are movable about a fixed jaw axis between a fully open position and a fully closed position relative to each other. A closure member is configured to move the first and second jaws from the fully open position to the fully closed position when the closure member is moved in a first direction. At least one jaw opening cam is supported for movement relative to the closure member and the first and second jaws. Each of the jaw opening cams is configured to apply an opening motion to the first and second jaws when the closure member is moved in a second direction.