This study was conducted to investigate the cutting mechanism of the reciprocating knife of combine harvester. The cutting operation of reciprocating knife was demonstrated through the cutting pattern diagram which was drawn by computer graphics. Various kinds and dimensions of standard-type reciprocating knives were analyzed by the developed program. The results are summarized as follows : (1) For the 50mm standard reciprocating knife, the bunching area and the maximum stalk-deflection were decreased rapidly according to the increase of cutting velocity ratio by 1.0 and decreased very slowly over this ratio. But, the secondary cut was occurred at ratio of 1.0 and increased rapidly over this ratio. (2) The 76mm standard knife showed better cutting mechanism than the 50mm, in two respects : the larger cutting area per one stroke and the lower revolutional speed of crank shaft for the same cutting velocity. (3) In respect to the bunching area and the secondary cutting length, the adequate height of 50mm standard reciprocating knife was 45~50mm. (4) In order to maintain the proper cutting mechanism, the adequate cutting velocity at forward speed of 0.5㎧ to 1.2m/s was from 0.4m/s to 1.2m/s for the standard knife.