A hemostatic surgical blade (10) and methods of manufacturing such blades are provided, wherein the blade comprises a laminate region (40) having a hardenable center layer (22) and highly thermally conductive outer layers, joined to a second region of a low thermal conductivity material (21). A heating element (16) is secured to the laminate region and in thermal communication therewith to thermally reform the collagen of tissue as it is incised. The heat generated by the heating element (16) is conducted to the cutting edge (13) of the blade to maintain the cutting edge temperature within 20 °C to 70 °C of a user-selected operating temperature. The second region (21) reduces the conduction of heat to the handle of the instrument. The heating element (16) comprises a thermally conductive dielectric layer attached to an outer surface of the laminate region (17), resistive conductive elements deposited on the dielectric (18), a second dielectric layer (19) covering the resistive conductor elements, and an adherent coating (12) disposed thereon to reduce coagulum buildup on the blade.