A biopsy device comprises a body and a needle extending distally from the body. The needle comprises a cannula and a tissue piercing tip that is unitary with the cannula. The tissue piercing tip may be formed by compressing the distal end of the cannula to put two distal cannula portions in apposition with each other. One of the apposed distal cannula portions may be removed. The remaining distal cannula portion may be formed into a blade of the tissue piercing tip. A cutter may be moved relative to the needle to sever samples from tissue protruding through a transverse aperture formed in the cannula. A gap may be provided between the exterior of the cutter and the interior of the cannula, permitting the cutter to be distally vented while a proximal vacuum is communicated to the cutter to transport severed tissue samples proximally through the cutter.