Abstract: Disclosed is a holder for the attachment of cutters or bits, to mining and tunnelling machines, which has at least one spray nozzle for coolant spraying of the cutter working area. The holder comprises means for receiving the cutter shank in the holder, an insert sleeve surrounding the cutter shank inserted with axial play in the means for receiving the cutter shank and a shut-off member carried on the insert. The shut-off member engages into a coolant supply line to the spray nozzle when a pressure load is applied to the cutter and shuts off the coolant supply when there is no load on the cutter.