A net knife assembly for a baler is provided. The net knife assembly includes a linkage drive system including a drive linkage coupled to a motor. The net knife assembly includes a knife carrier coupled to the linkage drive system and configured to be positioned in a home position and a cut position. The net knife assembly includes a tensioning member coupled to the linkage drive system. The motor is configured to rotate the drive linkage of the linkage drive system, rotation of the drive linkage rotating the knife carrier between the home position and the cut position. Upon rotation of the knife carrier through a center position relative to the tensioning member, the tensioning member accelerates rotation of the knife carrier into the home position or the cut position.