In a sickle cutting system, it has been found that a significant reduction in average stubble length, which is calculated based on the distance crop is pushed forwardly without cutting occurring, can be obtained by a combination of the features where the length of the cutting edge of each knife blade from a transverse rearmost cutting line at which a cutting action occurs 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 1.2 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.
