A running strand of hot steel stock is severed at desired intervals by two knives which are located in a common plane and are mounted in a common holder movable transversely of the advancing strand by a double-acting hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder and piston assembly. The holder for the knives is coupled to the strand prior to start of the severing operation, and one of the knives is thereupon caused to penetrate into the material of the strand to be retracted prior to penetration, or simultaneously with penetration, of the other knife which operates in the same plane so that the stock is severed without the formation of burrs, fins or similar irregularities. |