Off with their heads

[sooey]

However, I fail to see the difference between a very sharp blade falling from a wooden structure and a very sharp blade being swung down on the person being executed. They both avhieve the same result using the same method. The latter, if done correctly, will sever the head from the torso in one movement just as effectively as a guillotine.

I think the advantage of the guillotine is that it cannot 'miss'.
There have been instances where execution by the sword or the axe has been cocked up and a second or even third attempt has had to have been attempted.

Yeah, that Theon Greyjoy was fecking useless.