Abstract: A flax dressing machine for decorticating a tangled mass of flax includes a first breaking edge. A first breaker is provided, and includes stationary plate-shaped elements arranged to form parallel gaps, and rotatable plate-shaped elements rotatable about a first axis arranged transverse to a direction of flow of the flax and forming parallel and radially arranged gaps. Each of the gaps extends essentially in the direction of flow of the flax. A second breaker comprises a drum rotatable about a second axis parallel to the first axis and is arranged transverse to the direction of flow of the flax. The drum has beating tools attached to an outer circumference thereof. A peripherally arranged bottom region forms with the outer circumference a peripheral gapped region for accommodating flax. The bottom region has stationary rubbing tools attached thereto that cooperate with the beating tools. One of the first and second breakers is located adjacent to the first breaking edge.