An apparatus for cleaving a section of a bar of brittle material is provided. The apparatus comprises a support adapted to hold the section of the bar in a position to be cleaved, a blade, an actuator coupled to the blade for driving the blade at least partially through the bar to create a cleaved portion of the bar, and a follower for engaging the end of the bar during cleaving. An method of cleaving a section of a bar of brittle material is also provided. The method comprises initiating a crack in the bar and driving a blade through the bar to remove a portion of the brittle material from the end of the bar. In one embodiment, the blades drives through the bar at a controlled speed.