A system for trimming a can body wherein a can body is positioned within a cutting member so that the cutting member is at the location where the can body is to be trimmed. A resilient, deformable object is inserted into the can body and positioned therein so that at least a portion thereof is located radially opposite portions of the can body on each side of the cutting member. The resilient, deformable object is deformed so as to move a first part thereof against a portion of the can body to prevent longitudinal movement of the can body and then to move a second part thereof against the portion of the can body located between the cutting member and the open end of the can body in a radially outward direction so as to sever that portion from the can body.