the convex shape has the advantage of providing a blunted entry tip shielding the blade from tissue not intended to be removed the convex blade also allows for blade flexion and conformance to the vertebral body in some embodiments the support is rigid while in others it is flexible in some flexible support embodiments the flexibility is imparted by relief grooves preferably disposed in the support orthogonal to the blade edge in some embodiments both the blade and its support combine to provide a flexible end portion of the cutting tip that flexes in response to the conventional level of force used by a spinal surgeon in shaving the cartilaginous tissue from an endplate of a disc space a component is considered u201c flexible u201d when it flexes under the typical compression force used by a spinal surgeon in the shaving of cartilaginous material from an endplate with a conventional curette preferably the amount of flexing produced by the curette of the present invention causes the blade to conform to the underlying bony anatomy in some embodiments the shaft of the present invention is flexible in some embodiments the tynes of the present invention are flexible in some embodiments the blade of the present invention is flexible in some embodiments the flexibility is imparted by relief grooves disposed in the component in some embodiments the flexibility is imparted by selecting a material of high inherent flexibility in some embodiments the flexibility is imparted by selecting a low material thickness in some embodiments the instrument of the present invention is provided to the surgeon in a sterile form in a sealed package the curette of the present invention is adapted to cut soft tissue.