A variable cutoff web cutting apparatus is provided including a first knife cylinder having a first segmented knife blade. The first knife cylinder rotates about a first cylinder axis in a web travel direction and the first segmented knife blade rotates about a first knife axis in the opposite direction. Also included is a first counterpart cylinder, which the first segmented knife blade contacts to perforate a web. The cutting apparatus also includes a second knife cylinder having a second knife blade. The second knife cylinder rotates about a second cylinder axis in the web travel direction and the second knife blade rotates about a second knife axis the opposite direction. Also included is a second counterpart cylinder, which the second knife blade contacts to cut the web adjacent to where the first segmented knife blade perforated the web, so as to sever the web and create a signature.