Abstract: An assembly and method of forming a press cutting die that includes a cutting blade that is supported by a blade support assembly or blade support. The blade support includes a first base portion and a second base portion that are each contoured to cooperate with one another to capture a portion of the cutting blade along an interface between the first and second base portions. Preferably, one or more keys extend between the first and second base portions and traverse the geometric plane associated with the cutting blade. Such a press cutting die is particularly applicable for cutting biologically compatible materials having a desired shape from a bulk source of the biologically compatible material.