An apparatus for recovering electrodeposited metal in the form of a metal layer comprising: (a) means for supporting in a vertical position at least one basis metal cathode plate having adhering to at least part of at least one surface an electrodeposited metal layer wherein a boundary edge of the metal layer and the basis cathode plate metal each define one side wall of a V-shaped groove and the angle between the side walls of the groove is less than 90.degree.; and (b) at least one unitary stripping means comprising a first stripping means integral with a second stripping means wherein the first stripping means comprises a wedge adapted to be inserted into the V-shaped groove to initiate separation of electrodeposited metal from the basis cathode plate and the second stripping means comprises a blade adapted to propagate said separation. A typical use of this apparatus is the separation of electrodeposited zinc from an aluminum basis metal cathode.