The Best Meat Cleaver to Buy Online in 2023

March 3, 2023
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So You Want The Best Meat Cleaver?

A meat cleaver is a heavy-duty cleaver knife that can cut through bone and tough cuts of meat. It is a versatile tool used for meat and vegetable preparation, and it comes in various sizes, with blade lengths ranging from 6 to 7 inches. The handle design is crucial to ensure an ergonomically designed grip, and the handle material can range from wood to Pakkawood. The blade material is commonly made of stainless steel, carbon stainless steel, or Damascus steel. The edge retention and sharpness of the blade are important for precise cuts, and a sharp blade should be maintained using knife sharpeners or honing rods. Meat cleavers come in different series, such as the Henckels Classic, Wüsthof Classic, Zelite Infinity, and Dalstrong Cleaver. Other types of knives that can be used for meat preparation include Japanese chefs knives, boning knives, filleting knives, and carving knives. Vegetable cleavers are also available for slicing and chopping vegetables. When using a meat cleaver, it is essential to ensure it is hand washed and dried, as some types are not dishwasher safe. A meat cleaver is a perfect addition to any home cooks or professional chef's collection and makes an excellent gift for food enthusiasts.

Meat Cleaver Options

When it comes to meat cleavers, there are many options available on the market. Chefs and home cooks alike will often use a meat cleaver for tasks such as chopping through bones or cutting large pieces of meat. One popular choice is a stainless steel meat cleaver knife, as it is durable and easy to clean. Other materials, such as carbon steel or Damascus steel, can also provide excellent edge retention and sharpness.

Meat Cleaver Handle Design

Handle design is an important factor to consider when choosing a meat cleaver. Ergonomically designed handles can provide better grip and reduce the risk of injury. Materials such as pakkawood, wood, or synthetic polymers are commonly used for handles, but some prefer the traditional feel of a hand-forged cleaver with a wooden handle.

Meat Cleaver Blade Length

Blade length and height are also important factors to consider, as they can affect the cleaver's cutting ability and overall balance. A 6-inch meat cleaver is a common size, but some prefer a 7-inch or even larger cleaver for heavy-duty cutting.

What Other Knives Beside A Meat Cleaver?

Many professional chefs recommend having a variety of knives in your arsenal, including a cleaver, chefs knives, santoku knives, boning knives, filleting knives, and carving knives. For those who prefer to have a series cleaver, there are options such as the Henckels Classic or the Shogun Series.

Keep Your Blade Sharp & Knife Safe

When it comes to maintaining the blade's edge, regular sharpening with a knife sharpener is important. Some also prefer to use a honing steel to keep the edge aligned between sharpening. A magnetic knife holder or knife block can also keep the cleaver safe and easily accessible.

What Else Can You Use A Cleaver For?

While meat cleavers are typically associated with butchers and cutting through bone, there are also vegetable cleavers designed for food preparation. These cleavers have thinner blades and are more suited for chopping vegetables and fruits.

How Much Does A Meat Cleaver Cost?

Price can also be a factor when choosing a meat cleaver, with options ranging from budget-friendly to high-end. Some popular brands include Wüsthof Classic, Zelite Infinity, Global, and Dalstrong.

We Run Through Our Pick Of The Best Meat Cleavers Available

Ultimately, choosing the best meat cleaver will depend on personal preference and the specific needs of the user. A durable, sharp, and ergonomically designed cleaver with a lifetime warranty can be a worthwhile investment for any home cook or professional chef.

The Cleaver, A Kitchen Essential

Meat cleavers are an essential kitchen staple for serious cooks or chefs, be it in a home kitchen or professional galley. And although the title of “meat cleaver” sounds about as carnivorous as you can get, even plant-based chefs can utilize this effective and robust multi-use blade for their culinary delights.

So what is a meat cleaver, how long have they been around, and what are they used for? Read on to learn more.

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The Ancient Cleaver

Although the cleaver used by most cooks and chefs today is based around traditional Chinese and Southeast Asian designs, the heavy, axe-like meat cleaver has a history tracing back over 1-million years.

A meat cleaver consists of a large, flat blade that often consists of a thicker blunt spine that tapers to a hard, ultra-sharp edge. The size and added weight were designed to hack through hard, dense bone, cartilage, muscle tissue and tendons.

The flat of the blade can also be used to tenderize the meat and crush things like garlic, onions, shallots, salt and peppercorns.

A skilled cleaver user can utilize this versatile knife for all kinds of culinary use, including slicing and dicing dense plant-based foods like yams, potatoes, cabbages, pumpkins, taros, as well as using the blade to crush herbs and spices.

Meat cleavers come in various shapes, weights and sizes; still, a medium-sized blade is best for the average home kitchen. However, you may find you love your cleaver so much that you start a collection.

The team here at MGE has just what you need to get the obsession rolling with our list of the best meat cleavers to buy online in 2023. Read on to take a look.

HENCKELS Meat Cleaver, 6″, Black/Stainless Steel

The Best Meat Cleaver to Buy Online in 2021 HENCKELS
The Best Meat Cleaver to Buy Online in 2023 HENCKELS

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Product description:

  • Made in Spain
  • German stainless steel
  • Full-tang blade with classic black handle

This well priced, six-inch meat cleaver designed by the team at Henckels, Germany, is made of high-quality carbon German stainless steel and has all the characteristics of a perfect everyday professional-grade cleaver.

Made in Spain, this well-balanced meat cleaver features:
  • Full-tang six-inch blade with hanging hole
  • Dishwasher safe hot drop forged steel finish
  • Finely honed tapered grind
  • Classic triple riveted ergonomic handle

Ideal for all types of cooking, Henckels stand by their quality cleaver with a lifetime warranty; everything you could ask for in a versatile general-use meat cleaver.

Handmade Forged Kitchen 8” Chef Knife Grand-sharp Pro Razor Sharp

The Best Meat Cleaver to Buy Online in 2021 japanses
The Best Meat Cleaver to Buy Online in 2023 Japanese’s

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Product Description:

  • Japanese multi-use cleaver
  • Full-tang 56+HRC blade
  • Deluxe ebony handle

Japanese chefs are renowned for attention to detail and precision. Like most Eastern cuisines, the cleaver plays a big part in a traditional Asian kitchen. Japan is also known for producing some of the best blades in history, and this very affordable blade by Grand Sharp cutlery is no exception.

This beautiful blade features include:
  • Well balanced full-tang eight-inch blade
  • Blade made from High carbon clad 5Cr15Mov super steel
  • Blade rated 56+ on the Rockwell hardness scale
  • Manually beaten and ground by export forgers
  • Beautiful dual riveted wooden handle with hanging ring

Perfect for a thoughtful gift, this stunning Japanese blade comes with a gorgeous custom leather sheath with a locking strap. This blade is quality steel and will require some maintenance.

DALSTRONG Obliterator Meat Cleaver – 9″ – Gladiator Series R

The Best Meat Cleaver to Buy Online in 2021 DALSTRONG
The Best Meat Cleaver to Buy Online in 2023 DALSTRONG

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Product Description:

  • High-Carbon 7cr17mov steel, satin finish blade
  • Three versatile sharpened edges
  • Military grade G10 triple riveted pakkawood handle

If you eat more like a viking than a samurai, then look no further; this is the meat cleaver to take with you into Valhalla! The Dalstrong Obliterator, from their gladiator cutlery series,  lives up to its name with an epic three edge three-pound blade ready to hack through dinner; and then…maybe the hordes!

This battle ready meat cleaver features:
  • A full-tang six-millimeter thick, nine-inch 7CR17MOV high carbon steel NSF certified blade
  • Three aggressive edged sides with a satin polished finish for versatile cutting
  • Premium, military-grade G10 pakkawood triple riveted handle

This vicious warrior’s cleaver is presented in a stylish, handcrafted acacia wood stand. Perfect for your next victory BBQ.

Zhen San Huan Hand Hammered Forged Kitchen Knife Cleaver

The Best Meat Cleaver to Buy Online in 2021 ZhenSanHuan
The Best Meat Cleaver to Buy Online in 2023 Zhen San Huan

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Product Description:

  • Professional hand hammered Chinese meat cleaver
  • Li family forging with over 400-years of history
  • Highest quality traditional blade

This Zhen San Huan traditional Chinese meat cleaver is a piece of culinary history. The Li family have been forging blades since the Ming Dynasty over 400-years ago and have maintained their family tradition to this day.

A stunning historically forged meat cleaver, this blade features:
  • 1.2-lbs hand-forged, beaten and ground carbon blade
  • Traditionally shaped and oiled wooden handle
  • Beautifully family stamped engraving on the rustic ultra sharp blade
  • Complimentary whetstone for maintenance

This traditional blade is as traditional as you can get, so it must be maintained by cleaning, drying and oiling after each use to prevent oxidation: an authentic Chinese culinary masterpiece and a must-have for any collector.

So which of our cleavers will be making its way into your kitchen cutlery collection? Have you already got a favorite chopper in your draw or knife block? The team here at My Gear Expert are always keen to check out the latest kitchen knives and best meat cleavers.

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