An assembly for absorbing energy between first and second bodies subject to relative movement comprising a cutting ring on one of the bodies dimensioned to cut into and remove a layer from a cylindrical member on the other body. The ring has an annular cutting edge with an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the cylinder member. The two bodies can be, for example, two tubes forming a coupling device between two railroad cars. The outer surface of the cylindrical member can have longitudinal grooves to promote small chip formation during the cutting operation, thereby reducing the chance of jamming.