Abstract: An improved rotary melt cutter capable of accommodating a wide variation in polymer melt viscosities and melt characteristics is provided by use of a controlled pressure spring mechanism which operates in conjunction with each of several independently articulated knife-assemblies of the cutter. The knife-blade cutting-edges thereby maintain near-zero clearance from an extruder die-face from which polymer strands are being extruded. The cutter operates more effectively with less interruption and fouling than cutters of similar design but which utilize hydraulic pressure as the means of maintaining near-zero clearance.