A binding machine is provided having a base member with a bifurcated shape in the front side thereof, into which an item can be inserted; a tie feed mechanism that feeds out a tie-like member of a predetermined length in the width direction of the base member so as to transverse an opening formed between the bifurcations of the base member; a tie guide mechanism having a pair of tie guide members capable of moving respectively in the substantially front/rear direction of the base member at the side areas of the opening thereby to press the front end side and the fed-out end side of the tie-like member toward the rear side by the respective front end portions, and a guide mechanism that guides each tie guide member toward the rear side substantially parallel to the opening, and turns the respective front end portions around toward the rear side of the opening thereby to make the respective front end portions closer to each other at the rear side of the opening; and a tying mechanism, provided at the rear side of the opening for tying.
