In a sickle cutting system, it has been found that a significant increase in ground speed while maintaining an acceptable level of cutting efficiency as measured by the average stubble length can be obtained by a combination of one or more of the features where the cutting stroke is reduced from the conventional length of 3.0 inches to a value of the order of 2.0 inches； the length of the cutting edge of each knife blade is increased to a length greater than 2.2 inches； the width at the rear of the ledger surface of each guard is increased to greater than 1.0 inches； and the front edge of the blade is formed with an apex to shed crop material to one or other side of the apex.
