Abstract: A dispenser for a roll of flexible material has been described. A housing supports the roll for rotation about an axis, and a braking and severing device is mounted to the housing. The braking and severing device provides a lever and a contacting element. The lever includes a cutting edge so that as the flexible material is pulled against the cutting edge, the lever causes rotation of the contacting element against the roll to thereby prevent further rotation of the roll. In the preferred embodiment, the braking and severing device comprises two thin, flat elements secured together with a spacer to provide a gap for passage of the flexible material.