An apparatus (10) is provided for processing mail by severing an edge of each envelope (6) in a stack of mail. The apparatus includes an input bin (20) for receiving a stack of mail. A feeder (30) feeds the bottom envelope from the input bin (20) to a transport (60) that conveys the envelope along an envelope path. A cutter (70) positioned along the envelope path severs one edge of the envelopes. A detector (40, 50) detects a characteristic of the envelope and a sorter (80) sorts the envelope in response to the detected characteristic.