the present invention relates generally to a cutting system for vegetables , including potatoes , which includes a water system for moving the item to be cut along a tubular passageway and through a cutting mechanism . the system includes a water bypass arrangement which is controllable to provide a constant velocity so that the flow of product to the cutting knife is maintained at a desirable level . alignment fingers may also be provided to prevent rotation of the uncut product and centering thereof as the cutting knife is approached . after the product is cut , the pieces pass into an outlet section where water from the bypass system may be injected to achieve , in the preferred embodiment , coil separation when the device is used for cutting helical strips of potatoes .