A cutting apparatus comprises an endless chain body comprising a plurality of plate-like flaps connected to each other for angular movement in a common plane. Each flap has an end face on an inner peripheral side of the chain body, and at least a part of the flaps having a cutting device at the end face. The apparatus further comprises a plurality of sprockets supporting the chain body in tension, and defining a common plane of cut effected by the combination of the chain body and the sprockets. The chain body is supported by a rigid backplate, of thickness not greater than the thickness of the flaps. It provides a firm support to the rotating chain body to permit sliding movement of the chain body within the common plane of cut. The apparatus further comprises a means for activating the rotational movement of the sprockets in cooperation with the chain body, and a means for moving an object or the chain body toward each other to effect removal of a material disposed within the extended plane of the common plane of cut to effect separation of an object into severed sections.