A folding apparatus includes a folding blade cylinder that carries at least one group of identical tools which are distributed homogeneously about the periphery of the folding blade cylinder. A cam plate is traced or followed by a control lever of each such group of tools and is usable to control a working movement of the tool. A cover disk, consisting of a plurality of cover cams, can be rotated. The cover cams of the cover disk are displaceable between an inactive position, in which they enable the control of the working movement by the cam plate, and an active position in which they prevent such movement. Two groups of tools are used on the folding blade cylinder and the cover cams form a first group of cams at an angular distance of between 60.degree. or 120.degree. to each other, and a second group of cams at an angular distance of between 90.degree. to 180.degree. to each other.