An endless rotation hoop knife for a splitting machine including a front end embodied as a cutting edge and at least two openings for accommodating retaining members. The invention also discloses a transport device for a rotation hoop knife, including a housing and at least two retaining members which are configured to engage in openings in the rotation hoop knife. The invention further relates to methods for safe mounting and dismantling of a rotation hoop knife, in particular of a sharp rotation hoop knife. Due to the rotation hoop knife being provided with openings for accommodating retaining members, it is now possible for the rotation hoop knife by to be held by retaining members which engage the openings. In this way, when the rotation hoop knife is released on the splitting machine, the rotation hoop knife is reliably held by the retaining members which engage the openings. The rotation hoop knife can thus be taken off the splitting machine without the rotation hoop knife itself, in particular the cutting edge, having to be touched.