A surgical instrument such as a forceps having a handle at its proximal end, a pair of jaws at its distal end for gripping an object, and a connecting member for transmitting user-applied force from the handle to the pair of jaws. The connecting member includes a force transmitting and limiting member for transmitting the closure force imparted by the jaws upon the object to a predetermined value. The force transmitting and limiting member is preferably made of a material that is superelastic (i.e. reversibly deformable such that it returns to its original physical shape or form after the material has been deformed substantially) and is comprised of a rod, a spring or a portion of a scissors-shaped forceps. The extent of relative movement of the handle grips is limited by a stop to prevent the superelastic material from undergoing excessive deformation.