Why Are Guillotine Blades Angled (tested)

The testing is brilliant.

BUT the most economical straight blade, which was angled, only had to cut through a neck, composed of a 4" to 6" meaty bit with a neck bone up the middle.

So gauging the effectiveness of different blades on ever increasingly thick rolls of reed / bamboo strips, was basically pointless.

I think the original straight blade would have been the most economical and effective when all was said and done.

Perhaps they just went to town on expense and display, and the intimidating effect of a HUGE angled blade, when it came to cutting off the kings head.