A binding apparatus for a round baler binding a pressed bale with a binding twine. The binding apparatus has at least one binding twine guide, at least one binding twine guided by the binding twine guide and at least one cutting device for severing the binding twine after a binding operation. The cutting device has a cutting element guide and, formed on the cutting element guide, a cutting element holder to which is fastened a cutting element which has a cutting edge, in order to sever the binding twine, is guided to the binding twine by the cutting element guide and is brought into contact with the binding twine. In order to reduce wear on the cutting element and to increase the cut quality at the binding twine, a deflecting edge is formed on the cutting element guide between the cutting element and the binding twine, said deflecting edge displacing the binding twine in a deflecting movement, with binding twine tension being built up, before the binding twine is brought into contact with the cutting edge.