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The Best Cleavers of 2024
Are you preparing dinner for the family but don't look forward to cutting up the thick pieces of meat you need for your dish? Invest in a cleaver, an essential and versatile tool for tenderizing, mincing, and slicing through tough meat and chopping bones. In this article, we will introduce you to the best cleavers of 2024 selected by our team for their sharpness and durability. The Juvale Meat Cleaver cuts its way to the top of our list thanks to its stainless steel finish, comfortable grip, and easy storage. Get ready to slice and dice with our amazing picks!
Our Top Picks For Cleavers
View all ContentsThe Best Cleavers
Best Overall
If you love to cook and are looking for a heavy-duty meat cleaver, you need nothing else but this masterpiece! It is manufactured using stainless steel of the highest quality that will keep it from rusting away. The build quality will allow you to trust it for the next few years without having you buy a new one as soon as anything goes south!
The ergonomic wood handle is easy for gripping and you can easily go on with longer meat cutting sessions. One thing we absolutely love is that it comes with a hole at the top that allows you to carry it easily. You need not take any risks by washing it with your hand as it can be washed in a dishwasher.
Pros
- Comes with a hole on top so you can hang it anywhere you want
- Dishwasher-safe and easy to store
- Made from durable stainless steel with full tang detailing
- The handle is 6-inches in length, making it comfortable to hold and use
Cons
- The handle may be too big for small hands
Best Quality
This next selection is the epitome of
precision and craftsmanship. Designed to be the centerpiece of your
culinary arsenal, this remarkable cleaver knife is deeply rooted in Chinese
culinary traditions. It combines traditional artistry with modern-day
technology to offer you a blade that is as functional as it is
beautiful. Crafted from high-carbon stainless steel, the blade boasts
exceptional sharpness and edge retention.The cleaver knife’s full tang construction and triple-riveted handle provide
exquisite balance. These details also lend you ultimate control, making
it feel like a natural extension of your hand. Plus, what sets this
knife apart from the rest is the way it epitomizes perfection. Forged
with precision tempering, it boasts a razor-sharp edge to tackle
even the most demanding of kitchen challenges. This tool not only
delivers excellence in the kitchen but it also exudes timeless elegance
and craftsmanship.Pros
- Known for its exceptional sharpness
- Incredibly versatile and capable
- Made with high-carbon stainless steel
Cons
May require more maintenance than other options
Runner Up
A Chinese kitchen knife, also known as a meat cleaver that is multipurpose in nature, this product is a must-have for your kitchen!
It comes with a storage case for extended protection. You may trust the cleaver for cutting meat as per your requirements. The sharpening, cleaning, and maintenance are as easy as you like and the knife quality is good enough to last for long! The stainless steel comes from Germany and is known for its strength and rust-free capabilities! A comfortable grip is perhaps the most important thing to have in a meat cleaver – this one has that as well! It is equally feasible for both the right-handers and the left-handers.
Pros
- It has sharp blades and can serve as a multi-purpose cleaver – good for cutting, mincing, chopping, and more
- Comes with a nice protective casing to keep it safe when it’s not in use
- Equipped with an ergonomic pakkawood handle
Cons
- The blade is a bit thin – not ideal to chop all kinds of meat in a single slice
Contender
Bringing you another multipurpose meat cleaver that comes with a protective case as well! This meat knife from Imarku is one of the best-selling items on the internet and you can trust it for both professional and routine kitchen work. The material choice is up to the mark and it is designed to last for a long time.
Moving to the handle, it is manufactured with high-quality moisture-resistant wood material. The gripping is as easy – exactly as most are comfortable and it will not slip away from your hands during forceful meat cutting! There’s a drawback though; it is not good enough for cutting bones or harder parts, but there is no compromise on quality when it comes to smooth meat slicing!
Pros
- Available in multiple sizes and styles
- Has a durable pakkawood handle of appropriate, comfortable length
- The blades are sharp and smart, reducing strain on the user’s hands
Cons
- Not reliable for cutting hard meat
Honorable Mention
Dexter-Russel Products are making a huge noise in the market due to their rich-featured, durable, and qualitative problem-solving. This stainless-steel heavy-duty meat cleaver does justice to the positive reputation of the brand. You can keep it in your kitchen cabinets for a long time and there will be no signs of rusting or degradation in the overall quality! The wooden handle is ergonomic in nature and will add a significant amount of comfort when you’re cutting meat.
The blade quality is superior in nature and the blade edges are made specifically to serve you for longer durations. If you are looking for a budget-friendly product that helps you with effortless meat cutting activities, you can order this meat cleaver right away!
Pros
- Has a superior blade shape for easier slicing
- Unique edge geometry for long-lasting performance
- Polished Rosewood handles
Cons
- Not recommended for folks with small hands or if you have a problem lifting heavy utensils
Also Consider
An extremely stylish and premium quality meat cleaver is here to add value and appeal to your kitchen cabinets. The non-slip ergonomic handle on this one is perhaps the best highlight of this cleaver, designed to help in a smooth cutting experience. You can rely on the cleaver easily as long as the sharpness of the blades is concerned as well!
Thanks to the ideal weight and shape, you can cut all types of meat with it. A bonus feature is that it comes with an elite-looking packaging box that makes it a perfect gift for special occasions! High-carbon steel is a rust-free option and the secret behind its cutting strength. Plus, if you are not convinced with the quality, you can ask the company for a refund or a replacement.
Pros
- Comes with a money-back guarantee
- It’s very sharp and has ideal weight – will work well for all types of meat
Cons
- You can’t cut through hard bones with it (like most cleavers with mid-thin blades)
Meat Cleavers: A Buying Guide
If you are curious about what goes into manufacturing a superb cleaver, you should know that there is not just one component defining its excellence. Alternatively, it should incorporate a multitude of craftsmanship features to produce a valuable tool.
When it comes to selecting the greatest cleaver for your requirements, personal choice plays a role. Would you like a featherweight cleaver, for example, or do you prefer the sensation of a big two-pound cleaver? Do you like a straight cleaver or one with a bent ergonomic grip? Read our shopping guide below:
What Are Some of the Factors to Consider When Buying a Cleaver?
In every sense, meal preparation is a subjective experience. That implies that all your kitchen gear must be properly and ergonomically effective for you to perform at your best.
Weight
The weights vary from 13 oz to 2 pounds. The meat and food items you plan on consuming will influence whether you would like a smaller or heavier cleaver.
A bigger cleaver may be preferable if you want to hack down huge bones. Many chefs with limited upper-body strength choose a bigger cleaver since it provides them with additional cutting leverage.
Ergonomics
A few grips are bent to make wielding the cleaver gentler on your wrists. It is incredibly beneficial if you cook often and perform a lot of hard chopping.
To avoid pain and tiredness, many cooks favor this grip type over a straight-handle form. Whichever handle type you like will be determined by the size of your palms and your specific cutting techniques.
The shape of the blade
Cleaver blades come in two shapes; bent and flat. How you handle your cleaver will determine what is appropriate for you. Thinning is done with the top of the blade, whereas cutting through bone is done with the center or backside. A bent blade helps you move the cleaver backward and forward to get through those tough-to-cut bits more effortlessly if you do not have good endurance.
Material for the blade
Cleavers nowadays are mostly constructed of carbon-hardened steel. Both are incredibly durable and retain their edge over time. However, since iron is somewhat thicker than steel, few people who want a larger tool choose iron cleavers.
What Features Should You Look for In a Cleaver?
Handle made of fine wood
A fine wood grip is common on meat cleavers, giving them a classic appearance. Pakkawood is the most prevalent, but other woods like chestnut and oak are also available.
Although a wood grip is unquestionably more appealing than one constructed from manmade material, you will have to consider whether you are willing to hand-wash it to extend the life of the timber.
Sheath for a knife
A cleaver is a pivotal tool for every chef, and some people believe it needs to be treated with respect! Many cleavers have a knife sheath to keep the blade safe when it’s not being used. The sheath also serves as a protective barrier against self-inflicted cuts or knife’s accidental wear.
Hole for hooks
Nearly every single cleaver made in the past featured a hole in the top tip of the blade. This hole is used to hang the cleaver on a hook or on the loop that’s on the chef’s apron.
Since the usage of cleavers has grown in popularity among home chefs, not all cleavers have a hook slot in the blade. Think about getting one with a hook opening if you believe this may be handy for your organizational needs.
How Much Do Cleavers Cost?
Cleavers aren’t too costly and most should cost anywhere between $10 – $50 – the ones at the higher end ($50) are usually rich-featured, get the job done, and consumers rarely have any complaints about them.
Tips and Advice for Using and Buying a Cleaver
- Whenever you begin chopping or slicing with your new cleaver, make sure you’ve got a nice wooden, plastic, or marble slicing board.
- One of the cleaver’s advantages is that you can always cut with its mass and pressure instead of your own force. So remember to take full advantage of your cleaver and discover how to use it effectively.
- Do not become irritated if you have not used a cleaver to cut into hefty chunks of meat or bone before. With some skill, you will be able to use this strong culinary equipment like a pro.
- When holding your cleaver, keep your non-cutting palm in mind at all times. This is a potentially hazardous knife that should be handled with caution.
- Test to determine if your blade is sufficiently sharp for the task at hand before each usage. Hone it to your liking if it is rough.
- Do not take other people’s recommendations for the finest cleaver as gospel. To pick the correct cleaver, consider your tastes, as well as your chopping and cooking styles.
People Also Asked
Do I have to sharpen my cleaver regularly?
A cleaver does not have to be as fine as most other blades since it is intended for heavy chopping. Your cleaver will usually only need to be sharpened occasionally - perhaps one or two times annually (although it depends on your usage).
Can I cut through bone with a regular knife?
No, a cleaver is specifically built for chopping through bone and big portions of meat. If you're using a regular knife for this, the sharpness will weaken earlier, reducing the blade's durability.
How do I clean my cleaver?
It is important not to put your cleaver in the dishwasher, as it can cause potential damage due to high heat and strong detergents. Washing it by hand using mild soap and warm water is best.
