Abstract: A shoe edge processing machine comprises means (26, 27) of gripping a shoe along an axis (31) virtually perpendicular to the shoe, shoe processing means (16), relative movement means (12, 22) for the shoe and processing means for causing these processing means (16) to travel the edge of a shoe held in the gripping means (26, 27). Advantageously the gripping axis (21) rotates to cause the entire peripheral edge of the shoe torn under the processing head. Powered jaws (42, 43) provide positioned means for the shoe to allow its correct gripping by the gripping means (26, 27).