A process and a device for dividing a strand of wire rolling stock and/or for cutting the strand of rolling stock into a wire rolling material strand and pieces of scrap by cropping and/or chopping, has the strand of wire rolling stock moving at a high speed of at least up to 80 m/s. The strand of wire rolling stock (1) is briefly and with high intensity deflected by an electromagnetic force "F" acting perpendicular to the actual direction of movement, in a way such that the strand (1) of wire rolling stock is either moved into or out of the acting range between two cutting heads (2a, 2b) for cutting the strand (1). The cutting heads are arranged with their axes parallel to each other and are rotating in opposite directions and each are fitted with at least one knife (3a, 3b).