Abstract: A sheet cutting apparatus is illustrated as including a free standing cutting blade movable across the sheet material. A base member has a longitudinal channel therein through which the knife extends into a complimentary channel carried by a pressure bar so that the sheet material is confined between the base and the pressure bar for cutting by the blade which is contained safely within the base and pressure bar during its cutting stroke across the sheet material. A lifter bar is positioned adjacent the base member for raising the severed end of sheet material of the dispensing roll preparatory to cutting off another length of sheet material.