The invention relates to a hold-down device for plate shears, which can be pressed down onto a plate to be cut by a mechanically controlled, non-variable displacement. The invention is based on the object of providing a hold-down device which can be altered in terms of the pressing force and consequently permits a longer edge life and shorter displacements, and in turn lower indexing times. This object is achieved according to the invention by it being possible to set the starting position of the hold-down device before the beginning of the displacement.