Abstract: In an apparatus for binding bales, in which a band of wire is supplied from two storage rolls, one roll supplying an upper wire and the other roll supplying a lower wire, and which includes a cutting device for cutting through the twisted wires between two twists by which the wires are connected to each, in order to assure with reliability that the twist which completes the binding does not project beyond the rear edge of the bale as viewed in the pressing direction, the distance between a lower wire guide roller and the limiting forward pressing position of a pressing plunger of a baling press in which the apparatus is incorporated is made equal to the distance between the lower guide roller and the cutting device. Also, at least one wire catching finger acts transversely upon the wires which are held taut by a binding needle of the press and between the guide rollers, in order to bring together the portions of the wires which are twisted together by a twisting device.