Abstract: An apparatus for cutting the leads of an electronic part inserted into a printed board and simultaneously detecting the insertion of said leads and/or the characteristics of said electronic part, said apparatus comprising:a first blade means having an electrically conductive surface;a second cutting blade means positioned in a cooperating relation to the first cutting blade means so as to cut the lead, said blade means having a substrate made of an electrically non-conductive material, a blade edge provided at one end of the substrate, and at least one wear-resisting electrode coating secured to the substrate in the vicinity of the blade edge so that the electrode coating is electrically in communication with the first cutting blade means through the lead only at the time of the cutting of the lead, said coating being made of a metal having wear resistance or an electrically conductive ceramic; andmeans for electrically connecting said electrode coating to said first blade member and for detecting the inserti