An improved applicator for soft materials includes a cartridge section (2) and a relatively rotatable body section (3), the soft material being contained within the cartridge section (2) and a plunger (12) being provided to advance the soft material. The improvement resides in providing a clutch assembly (30) within the applicator body (3) to prevent the inadvertent separation of the cartridge section (2) from the body section (3). In a preferred embodiment, this assembly comprises a clutch means (30) between the rotatable body section (3) and the plunger (12) whereby rotation of the body (3) is transmitted to the plunger (12) to advance and retract the plunger (12) and associated soft material, the clutch means (30) being designed so as to disengage before the plunger (12) is retracted to the point at which it would forcibly separate the cartridge (2) from the body (3).