Abstract: The axial loading system is used in a tape slitter comprised of first and second arbors in spaced parallel relationship carrying male and female cutting knives for slitting tape. These cutting knives are in the form of a series of uniformly axially spaced discs on the first arbor having their corner peripheries bearing in an axial direction against corresponding female discs on the second arbor. The loading system comprises a combination threaded arrangement at one end of the first arbor with a torque applying tool for rotating the threaded means to thereby adjust the axial force of the male blades against the female blades. The torque applying tool not only enables the rotation to take place but will cease functioning after a given torque has been reached, thereby assuring that a given axial force of the male blades against the female blades will not be exceeded.