Surgical instrument with a separable coaxial joint

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• a handle assembly supporting an actuator thereon;
• a proximal drive member defining a longitudinal axis, the proximal drive member operatively coupled to the actuator such that manipulation of the actuator induces longitudinal movement of the proximal drive member relative to the handle assembly, the proximal drive member including a mating portion adjacent a distal end thereof;
• a distal drive member including a mating portion adjacent a proximal end thereof configured to selectively engage the mating portion of the proximal drive member;
• an end effector operatively coupled to the distal drive member and configured for manipulating tissue;
• and
• a knife assembly including a knife, a distal knife rod, and a proximal knife rod, the distal knife rod operatively coupled to the knife and configured to translate the knife longitudinally, the distal knife rod including a mating portion, the proximal knife rod including a mating portion configured to selectively engage the mating portion of the distal knife rod.