Abstract: In an apparatus for severing and holding a torn web for a web processing machine and more particularly for a web feed rotary printing press, comprising a knife beam having a stationary knife and arranged across the conveying plane of the web, and furthermore a strike beam having a hump adapted to come into functional engagement with the knife and which by means of an associated push-out means is able to be lifted and lowered, said means being adapted to be activated by a web tear detector, it is possible to have a design with simple and low-cost means so that the device is not only of universal application but furthermore ensures a high degree of operator safety, if the knife beam comprises two identical, bar-like knife carriers holding the knife between them, which adjacent to their side facing the strike beam are provided with symmetrically arranged holders for elastic bars flanking the knife, which bars project in relation to the cutting edge of the knife and are spaced apart by a distance at least equal t