Nah, not for cutting the rope. But for cleaving the feet.
In some case, the criminal have to wear chain/ring (seems to be hammered in place, no lock, no key). And cutting the feet off seems to be easier than hammering it out.
Dahb 's a weapon and it 's considered to be too high for such purpose. That 's why they use a meat cleaver.
PS: My appologies for being off topic again
