Abstract: A tightening apparatus for strapping an object with a plastic band includes a stationary cutter with a cutting slot, a pivoting cutter mounted inside the stationary cutter, and a resilient element. The resilient element is situated so as to push a cutting edge of the pivoting cutter away from a cutting edge of the stationary cutter when a cutting operation is not being performed. When a band is present between the pivoting and stationary cutters and the cutting operation is actuated, a pivoting force caused by an applied cutting force moves the pivoting cutter against the resilient element and engages the cutting edges of both cutters so as to cut the band. The fact that the cutting edges are engaged only when a band is inserted between the cutters greatly improves the life of the device.