A stapling device comprising: a handle assembly; an adaptor assembly extending from the handle assembly, the adaptor assembly having a distal end portion; an anvil assembly including a cut ring (52, 352); and a reload assembly (100, 200) supported on the distal end portion of the adaptor assembly, the reload assembly including: a shell housing (110, 210) defining a cavity and having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a staple cartridge (118, 218) supported on the distal portion of the shell housing, the staple cartridge supporting a plurality of staples (120, 220); a staple pushing member (112a, 212a) movable within the shell housing (110, 210) between an advanced position and a retracted position to eject the plurality of staples (120, 220) from the staple cartridge (118, 218), the staple pushing member defining a longitudinal bore; and a knife assembly (116, 216); characterised in that the knife assembly includes a distal knife portion (152, 252) and a proximal knife portion (150, 250), the distal knife portion positioned in abutting relation with the proximal knife portion such that movement of the proximal knife portion to an advanced position moves the distal knife portion to an advanced position, wherein the distal knife portion in its advanced position is retained in the cut ring (52, 352) of the anvil assembly, whereby the proximal knife portion is movable from its advanced position to its retracted position independently of the distal knife portion when the distal knife portion is retained in engagement with the cut ring (52, 352). a handle assembly; an adaptor assembly extending from the handle assembly, the adaptor assembly having a distal end portion; an anvil assembly including a cut ring (52, 352); and a reload assembly (100, 200) supported on the distal end portion of the adaptor assembly, the reload assembly including: a shell housing (110, 210) defining a cavity and having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a staple cartridge (118, 218) supported on the distal portion of the shell housing, the staple cartridge supporting a plurality of staples (120, 220); a staple pushing member (112a, 212a) movable within the shell housing (110, 210) between an advanced position and a retracted position to eject the plurality of staples (120, 220) from the staple cartridge (118, 218), the staple pushing member defining a longitudinal bore; and a knife assembly (116, 216); characterised in that the knife assembly includes a distal knife portion (152, 252) and a proximal knife portion (150, 250), the distal knife portion positioned in abutting relation with the proximal knife portion such that movement of the proximal knife portion to an advanced position moves the distal knife portion to an advanced position, wherein the distal knife portion in its advanced position is retained in the cut ring (52, 352) of the anvil assembly, whereby the proximal knife portion is movable from its advanced position to its retracted position independently of the distal knife portion when the distal knife portion is retained in engagement with the cut ring (52, 352). a shell housing (110, 210) defining a cavity and having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a staple cartridge (118, 218) supported on the distal portion of the shell housing, the staple cartridge supporting a plurality of staples (120, 220); a staple pushing member (112a, 212a) movable within the shell housing (110, 210) between an advanced position and a retracted position to eject the plurality of staples (120, 220) from the staple cartridge (118, 218), the staple pushing member defining a longitudinal bore; and a knife assembly (116, 216); characterised in that the knife assembly includes a distal knife portion (152, 252) and a proximal knife portion (150, 250), the distal knife portion positioned in abutting relation with the proximal knife portion such that movement of the proximal knife portion to an advanced position moves the distal knife portion to an advanced position, wherein the distal knife portion in its advanced position is retained in the cut ring (52, 352) of the anvil assembly, whereby the proximal knife portion is movable from its advanced position to its retracted position independently of the distal knife portion when the distal knife portion is retained in engagement with the cut ring (52, 352).