If your just starting out in magic you may want to begin with a smaller finger chopper before attempting a full scale Head Chopper Illusion.
There are many different ways you can "chop" something magically. We will be showing 3 different versions including the French Guillotine, Disecto, and a See Thru Finger Chopper.

All are safe (relatively) and you are not in danger of really chopping off your head or fingers.
The illusion of the blade passing through your finger or head is amazing. So realistic that you sometimes have trouble finding a volunteer for the Head chopper / French Guillotine in your magic act.

Disecto Magic Chopper

This first chopping trick is called the Disecto. With it you can "magically" chop your finger. You can show that the blade cuts carrots or other small objects. Then place your finger inside and watch as the blade can still cut the carrots but it will not harm your finger. They make this in an arm chopper version and a finger chopper model. In the video the magician does not put the carrots in as he is chopping his finger but this can be done.

Next is the See Through Finger Chopper

This version the blade comes straight down onto the finger. They can actually peer through the clear plastic and see the blade. Show the magic chopping blade goes up and down, place your finger inside and wham! The blade goes right through without hurting your finger. The best part is with this finger chopper you can hand it out for examination after the trick. Very effective trick when you do not have room enough in your house for a full size French Guillotine - Head Chopper.

French Guillotine

So you need something larger than the smaller finger choppers. You could always use a head chopper for your stage act. Check out the frontier version of the French Guillotine. A spectators head gets placed inside the stock with the menacing blade hanging above. With a little magic the blade penetrates straight through without injury. Classic illusion for the magician that wants to get a scare out of the audience.