A method for manufacturing a surgical device including an end effector (1; 210; 1002) and a control handle (2; 220; 1200) and not including any control means to actively control an articulation motion of the end effector (1; 210; 1002), which method comprises: providing an instrument shaft (226; 1110) having a proximal end and a distal end; providing the end effector (1; 210; 1002) with an articulation lock (120, 522; 228, 2122, 2124; 1121, 1041, 1522); connecting the control handle (2; 220; 1200) to the proximal end of the instrument shaft (226; 1110) and providing the control handle (2; 220; 1200) with an articulation joint actuator (4; 222; 1100); connecting the end effector (1; 210; 1002) to the distal end of the instrument shaft (226; 1110) via a passive articulating joint (50; 212; 1050) such that the end effector (1; 210; 1002) is permitted to articulate with respect to the instrument shaft (226; 1110) about an articulation axis of the passive articulating joint (50; 212; 1050) of the end effector (1; 210; 1002); and positioning the articulation joint actuator (4; 222; 1100) such that it is operable to selectively connect with and separate from the articulation lock (120, 522; 228, 2122, 2124; 1121, 1041, 1522) and: in an unactuated state of the articulation joint actuator (4; 222; 1100), the articulation joint actuator (4; 222; 1100) is biased to connect with the articulation lock (120, 522; 228, 2122, 2124; 1121, 1041, 1522) and lock the articulation lock (120, 522; 228, 2122, 2124; 1121, 1041, 1522) to, thereby, temporarily prevent further articulation of the end effector (1; 210; 1002) and retain the end effector (1; 210; 1002) in a desired articulated position; and in an actuated state of the articulation joint actuator (4; 222; 1100), the articulation joint actuator (4; 222; 1100) is operable to disconnect from the articulation lock (120, 522; 228, 2122, 2124; 1121, 1041, 1522) and unlock the articulation lock (120, 522; 228, 2122, 2124; 1121, 1041, 1522) to, thereby, place the end effector (1; 210; 1002) into a freely-articulating state in which the end effector (1; 210; 1002) is articulatable dependent upon external forces acting upon the end effector (1; 210; 1002). providing an instrument shaft (226; 1110) having a proximal end and a distal end; providing the end effector (1; 210; 1002) with an articulation lock (120, 522; 228, 2122, 2124; 1121, 1041, 1522); connecting the control handle (2; 220; 1200) to the proximal end of the instrument shaft (226; 1110) and providing the control handle (2; 220; 1200) with an articulation joint actuator (4; 222; 1100); connecting the end effector (1; 210; 1002) to the distal end of the instrument shaft (226; 1110) via a passive articulating joint (50; 212; 1050) such that the end effector (1; 210; 1002) is permitted to articulate with respect to the instrument shaft (226; 1110) about an articulation axis of the passive articulating joint (50; 212; 1050) of the end effector (1; 210; 1002); and positioning the articulation joint actuator (4; 222; 1100) such that it is operable to selectively connect with and separate from the articulation lock (120, 522; 228, 2122, 2124; 1121, 1041, 1522) and: in an unactuated state of the articulation joint actuator (4; 222; 1100), the articulation joint actuator (4; 222; 1100) is biased to connect with the articulation lock (120, 522; 228, 2122, 2124; 1121, 1041, 1522) and lock the articulation lock (120, 522; 228, 2122, 2124; 1121, 1041, 1522) to, thereby, temporarily prevent further articulation of the end effector (1; 210; 1002) and retain the end effector (1; 210; 1002) in a desired articulated position; and in an actuated state of the articulation joint actuator (4; 222; 1100), the articulation joint actuator (4; 222; 1100) is operable to disconnect from the articulation lock (120, 522; 228, 2122, 2124; 1121, 1041, 1522) and unlock the articulation lock (120, 522; 228, 2122, 2124; 1121, 1041, 1522) to, thereby, place the end effector (1; 210; 1002) into a freely-articulating state in which the end effector (1; 210; 1002) is articulatable dependent upon external forces acting upon the end effector (1; 210; 1002). in an unactuated state of the articulation joint actuator (4; 222; 1100), the articulation joint actuator (4; 222; 1100) is biased to connect with the articulation lock (120, 522; 228, 2122, 2124; 1121, 1041, 1522) and lock the articulation lock (120, 522; 228, 2122, 2124; 1121, 1041, 1522) to, thereby, temporarily prevent further articulation of the end effector (1; 210; 1002) and retain the end effector (1; 210; 1002) in a desired articulated position; and in an actuated state of the articulation joint actuator (4; 222; 1100), the articulation joint actuator (4; 222; 1100) is operable to disconnect from the articulation lock (120, 522; 228, 2122, 2124; 1121, 1041, 1522) and unlock the articulation lock (120, 522; 228, 2122, 2124; 1121, 1041, 1522) to, thereby, place the end effector (1; 210; 1002) into a freely-articulating state in which the end effector (1; 210; 1002) is articulatable dependent upon external forces acting upon the end effector (1; 210; 1002).