Abstract: A method of and apparatus for cutting and handling filaments which controls the vertical, lateral and axial movement of the filament during and after cutting to maintain filament in alignment while removing cut filament from the path of incoming filament. In accordance with the present invention filament is fed into an annular chamber formed by a rotary drum and an annular shroud in the direction of its longitudinal axis, and cut into lengths with a knife mounted on the forward end of the rotary drum as the knife is rotated through the incoming filament. During and after cutting, erratic vertical, axial and lateral movement of cut filament is confined by the walls of the chamber, by an adjustable stop within the chamber downstream of the knife positioned at the desired filament length, and by picking means mounted on the length of the drum within the chamber which closely follow the knife and contact the filament immediately after it has been cut.