An attachment mechanism for a surgical instrument is provided which includes a receiving component having a longitudinal axis, a modular tip configured to be coupled in a rigid manner to the receiving component in two or less orientations, and a locking mechanism for securing the tip to the receiving component. A method for attaching a modular tip to a surgical instrument is also provided that includes actuating a locking mechanism, inserting a mating component of a modular tip into a receiving component by moving the mating component in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the receiving component, or by rotating the mating component relative to the receiving component, or a combination thereof, and releasing the locking mechanism to secure the tip to the receiving component.