The invention relates to a knife holding device, particularly for derinding machines, comprising a knife holder (11) with a lower part (13) and an essentially plate-shaped clamping element, the clamping element being displaceable between a clamping position and a release position in order to optionally clamp or release a knife blade (17) to be inserted between the lower part and the clamping element, and a tensioning device (19, 53) engaging with the clamping element for adjusting the clamping element between the release position and the clamping position. According to the invention, the lower part comprises a counter bearing (21) for the clamping element, said counter bearing cooperating with the clamping element such that the clamping element executes a rotational or tilting movement about the counter bearing during adjustment.