Top 10 Best Cleaver Knife Brands: Chop Food Like a Professional Chef

Are you still looking for the best meat cleaver out there and don’t know how to narrow down your choices?

A meat cleaver (or a bone chopper, as some might call it) is an essential cutting tool for not only slicing through meat, bones and connective tissue but is also an excellent choice for cutting through hefty vegetables, such as the tough-skinned squash or the robust melon.

Due to the bold, brawny and razor-sharp nature of the meat cleaver, it is truly an essential tool for both your professional and home kitchens for getting the job done fast.

Of course, there are various meat cleavers out there, with some boasting their very own benefits over the other.

But how do you know which is right for you? In this article, we take a look at the 10 best cleaver knife brands to chop food like a professional chef.

We weigh up the pros and cons of each, so you not only know the honest lowdown on each but so you can easily narrow down your choices.

What You Need to Know About Cleavers

When choosing a cleaver knife, there are several things you need to know and many factors that should be considered.

There is a reason why chefs use various professional knives to get various jobs done in the most efficient way possible and why all meat cleavers are not created equally.

When pointing to a chunk of meat, especially one that contains bones and connective tissue, a chef will always reach towards the simple meat cleaver.

Not only do meat cleavers contain the hefty blades and sturdy handles to do so, but you do not want to use delicate tools to try to achieve a tough job.

Using a cleaver, you are using a straightforward tool that can cut a carcass into more manageable sections before the real delicate work begins.

What else should you know about how to select a meat cleaver? Let’s take a look at some common features you should look for and what you should avoid:

What To Look For

• Hefty blades with sturdy handles
• Stain-resistant carbon-based blades made in Germany or Japan are known for being the most effective
• For strength and long-term durability, opt for single pieces of steel that are used to die-cut a blade
• You can purchase cleavers in many different sizes and weights to suit different needs and arm strengths

What To Avoid

• Cheap blades
• Thin blades
• Cheap imports that are not made in Germany and Japan often use inferior steel for their blades
• Weak handles
• Poorly balanced cleavers aren’t effective

What Can You Use a Meat Cleaver For?

There are a number of uses for a meat cleaver, making it a highly versatile tool in the kitchen, able to accomplish a wide range of food preparation tasks. These include:

• Cutting through bone, cartilage and whole chickens quickly
• Mincing raw meat
• Stripping meat off the bone
• Portioning out poultry and meat for later use
• Powerfully hacking through carcasses and cartilage
• Tenderizing meat
• Cutting up salmon or tuna for sushi
• Cutting open and chopping up large vegetables like squash, pumpkin or cantaloupes
• Cracking open a coconut
• Crushing garlic
• Scraping food leftovers off your cutting board and into the trash can

German vs. Japanese Cleavers

As we’ve mentioned, cleavers that are not made in Germany and Japan often use inferior steel for their blades. But what is the difference between the German and the Japanese meat cleaver?

Is there a difference? Or do they both simply provide killer quality steel and sturdy handles? Let’s take a look at the difference between these two meat cleavers.

Use

In general, knives produced in Germany often sport thicker and heavier blades, giving them a reputation for being more “all-purpose” than Japanese knives.

However, Japanese knives are known for being lighter, thinner and sharper, making them more ideal for more delicate slicing work.

However, customers find that the Japanese cleaver can most definitely rival the German cleaver in terms of power, with its sharper thinner blade able to more easily slice through animal bones or hard-shelled winter squash.

Because Japanese cleavers are generally thinner than German cleavers, they require more attention due to their ability to chip.

Blade Angle

In terms of the angle, the Japanese knives have the advantage here, with most ranging from 10 to 15 degrees per side, compared to the wider angle on the blade of a German knife, at about 17.5 degrees.

Top chefs confirm that the angle is the key to a knife’s sharpness, causing less damage to the food due to the object’s smaller cutting path.

Hardness

On the Rockwell scale, German knives come in at around 57, with Japanese knives ranging from 60 to 63, giving Japanese knives the edge when it comes to harder steel. However, harder steel is not always a good thing when it comes to long-term durability.

While the harder Japanese knife will better hold an edge, it is less durable and more prone to chipping and breaking. This makes the German knife more durable but will not hold an edge for as long as the Japanese knife.

Symmetry

If you’re a leftie looking for a good cutting knife or a meat cleaver, you’re going to want to opt for a German knife over a Japanese knife – unless the Japanese knife is specifically made for the Western market. Traditionally, the Japanese blade’s edges aren’t symmetrical, with the cutting edge being angled towards a right-handed user.

In this case, the user will not be able to use the knife and will need to opt for a knife that was made specifically for lefties. All German knives are balanced and symmetrical, making them perfect for either right-handed or left-handed cooks.

Unless they’re made for the Western market (brands like Shun, Global and Miyabi), the edges of the Japanese blade aren’t symmetrical—the cutting edge is angled toward a right-handed user 70/30, which means left-handed consumers can’t properly use the knife and will have to buy one specifically for lefties. German knives are always balanced and symmetrical and can be used by right- or left-handed cooks.

What Should I Look for in a Meat Cleaver?

While we’ve touched on the use of the meat cleaver and what you should generally try to look for and avoid, it is worth expanding on a few of the most crucial points when purchasing a meat cleaver: the blade length, the blade construction and the ergonomic handle.

Blade Length

When it comes to the blade length of the meat cleaver, you’re generally going to want to opt for one between 7 and 8 inches, although they will range from 6 to 9 inches.

A cleaver blade that is between 7 and 8 inches will be most versatile and will easily be able to chop through meat, bones and connecting tissue, as well as tough-skinned vegetables.

This medium-sized blade will also be easiest to handle as you chop, with a smaller cleaver often being too lightweight and a large cleaver potentially being too heavy and unwieldy.

Blade Construction

Blade construction is one of the most important aspects of a meat cleaver, with high carbon steel and 100% stainless-steel generally being the best choices.

High carbon steel is the top choice for blade construction, being super strong and having a fantastic ability to hold its razor-sharp edge over time. The one edge that stainless steel generally has over high carbon steel is its high rust and stain resistance; however, both knives can develop rust over time if not properly cared for.

Ergonomic Handle

A handle that is comfortable and easy to grasp is incredibly important when it comes to a tool that you’re going to be often using, for long periods. Cleavers generally contain wood, stainless-steel or plastic handles, all of which can have their benefits and drawbacks.

For example, while plastic is comfortable, easy to grip and simple to clean, it can crack at high temperatures. In contrast, certain kinds of wood have an appealing aesthetic but can harbor bacteria.

Regardless of the material you use, look for a cleaver with an ergonomic design on the handle. An ergonomic handle is designed for efficiency and comfort and will allow you to securely grip the handle of your knife, with little worry of an accident due to a slip.

Top 10 Best Cleaver Knife Brands To Chop Food Like A Pro

1. SKY LIGHT 7-inch Chinese Cleaver

SKY LIGHT cleaver knives are top quality and affordable, with each knife being made of premium high-carbon, no-stain German Steel. These are hand polished by seasoned craftsmen and are put through hours of extreme detection before ever reaching the customer.

SKY LIGHT cleaver knives are created with an ergonomic design that boasts maximum comfort, perfect balance and easy manipulation. These cleaver knives are precisely tempered for added durability and also nitrogen cooled for enhanced hardness.

The SKY LIGHT 7-inch Chinese Cleaver is the perfect candidate for an all-purpose chopping tool for both professional chefs and home cooks. This cleaver’s superior blade has a 58 Rockwell hardness, making it strong, rust and stain-resistant. This cleaver is also incredibly easy to resharpen and boasts an ultra-sharp 17-degree edge.

Pros

• Affordable
• 58 Rockwell hardness
• Ultra-razor-sharp 17-degree edge
• Superior high carbon precisely forged German stainless steel
• Ideal for both professional chefs and home cooks
• Versatile and can be used for chopping, slicing and dicing meat, vegetables and fruit
• Can be put in the dishwasher
• Comes with a protective tip guard
• Good balance and weight
• Strong, durable blade
• Corrosion and stain resistance
• Ultra-sharp razor edge
• Comfortable ergonomic stainless-steel
• ABS black plastic handle
• Ideal for both right and left-handers
• Easy to clean
• 100% money-back guarantee and lifetime warranty

Cons

• While it is technically dishwasher safe, it should be hand-washed, as washing in the dishwasher has been known to ruin the cleaver
• Will likely require resharpening out of the box

The Messermeister Four Seasons 6-inch Cleaver is part of the top quality Messermeister Four Seasons knife collection. These powerful knives are die-cut from a single billet of fine German stainless stamping steel alloy and then outfitted with over-sized, molded and hygienic handles.

The Messermeister Four Seasons knife collection is constructed to last by resisting oxidation to repeated exposure to moisture and easy sharpening on a honing steel. These knives are assembled in Santa Catarina, Portugal by skilled craftsmen and are NSF approved.

Pros

• German 1.4116 high-carbon, stainless alloy blade that you can depend on
• Rockwell rating of 56-57
• Stain and corrosion resistant
• Easy to resharpen to a razor-like edge
• Strong blade from heel to tip
• Curved angular blade at the top with a hole to hang the cleaver up
• Over-sized, hygienic, molded, seamless polypropylene handles for ergonomic handling
• Industrial strength handle
• Comes with a Knife for Life lifetime warranty against material and manufacturing defects.

Cons

• While made with German steel, these knives are assembled in Spain
• The polypropylene handle won’t suit everyone

Imarku Cleaver Knives come in both a 7-inch and an 8-inch option and are an excellent choice for both a commercial and home kitchen. Imarku knives combine both superior modern technology and Chinese ancient handmake technology to produce quality knives using the best material available.

Imarku knives boast beautiful ergonomic handles made from pakka wood, which offer superior comfort, minimizing fatigue, numbness and pain, making these exceptional knives for those who regularly use a cleaver for cooking.

Pros

• High-quality
• Ideal for both professional or home kitchens
• Extremely rust, wear and corrosion resistant
• Ergonomically superior Pakka wood handle
• Rockwell Hardness Scale of 58-60
• Ultra-sharp and excellent edge retention
• Wide blade design safely keeps fingers away from the cutting surface
• Great cutting performance
• Multi-purpose
• Great for both right and left-handed users
• Handle contains a hole for hanging on a hook or peg
• Comes with luxury gift box
• Easy to clean
• Lifetime warranty

Cons

• Expensive price
• Cannot go in the dishwasher
• Not ideal to be used over hot flames or for chopping frozen food
• While handle is ergonomic, it can become slippery when wet

The Dalstrong Gladiator Series blade is forged from a single piece of imported premium quality, high-carbon ThyssenKrupp German steel, giving these knives an ultra-sharp edge with excellent wear and stain resistance.

The Dalstrong Gladiator Series features an ergonomic and ambidextrous handle constructed of G-10 Garolite, a super-strong military-grade inert and non-porous fibreglass-like material. These knives are highly resistant to both heat and moisture and have life-long durability.

The Dalstrong Gladiator Series contains a 4.5-inch mini cleaver and a 7” cleaver, with the 7-inch being known as an exceptional chopping machine. No matter what the task at hand, the Dalstrong 7-inch cleaver can accomplish it, whether that means cutting through tough bones, or precisely chopping fruits and vegetables.

Pros

• Extremely high quality
• Excellent value
• Versatile and multi-purpose
• Hand polished edge at 14-16 degrees per side
• 56+ Rockwell hardness
• Hand polished to a satin finish
• Carefully tapered for improved hardness, flexibility, and minimal slicing resistance
• Tall blade height provides useful knuckle clearance.
• Award-winning premium design
• Can be used for cutting through bone, as well as various types of meat and vegetables
• Lightweight and easy to use
• High durability and corrosion and stain resistant
• Triple-riveted for extra durability
• Full tang for extra strength
• Sharpens easily
• Included sheath
• Hand polished spine
• Incredibly razor-sharp cleaver
• Full-tang
• Luxury laminated Pakka wood handle
• Easy to clean
• 100% money-back guarantee

Cons

• While excellent value for the price, it is still more expensive than many other cleavers on this list
• Thin blade edge can be easily dented

The Wüsthof cleaver comes in a 6-inch, 8-inch, 9-inch and 16-inch depending on your needs and preference. These super sharp, high-quality knives are made from German stainless steel and contain Wüsthof’s Precision Edge Technology (PEtec). This excellent feature provides a cutting edge up to 20 per cent sharper, with 200% improved sharpness retention.

The Wüsthof 6-inch Classic Cleaver may be on the smaller side when it comes to meat cleavers; however, this full-tang cleaver is perfect for breaking down larger cuts of meat and is designed to cut through bone. The finely honed high-carbon-steel blade works just as well for chopping and mincing tough vegetables, with its 14-degree cutting angle allowing for fine cutting, as well as brute force cleaver usage.

Pros

• German stainless-steel blade (X50 Cr MoV 15) made from high-carbon materials
• 20% sharper edge and 200% improved edge maintenance due to Wüsthof’s Precision Edge Technology
• Polypropylene handle is contoured for a comfortable grip
• Stain and corrosion resistant
• Easily cuts through thick bones as well as tough vegetables
• Full tang is triple riveted to the handle for exceptional durability
• Made in Germany

Cons

• Not ideal for chefs who prefer wooden handles
• Expensive

The Dexter Russell traditional cleaver is made right in the U.S.A. and is an ideal knife for butchering all types of meat, bones and cartilage as well as vegetables. Dexter-Russell cleavers are available in sizes 6-inch to 9-inch and can be made of both stainless steel and high carbon steel.

The Dexter-Russell (S5288) 8-inch Heavy-Duty Cleaver contains a razor-sharp high-carbon steel blade and is built for hard work. Meant to be swung like a hammer, the individually ground and hand-honed blade edge is designed to withstand repeated blows into thick meat and dense cartilage.

This multi-purpose tool is also ideal for crushing garlic and ginger with its strong spine. It contains a full tang handle made from beautiful rosewood, giving it a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing finish.

Pros

• High quality
• Razor-sharp high-carbon steel blade
• Versatile
• Superior blade shape for easier slicing
• Perfect for butchering all types of meat as well as bone and dense cartilage
• The blade’s spine can be used to crush garlic and ginger
• Long-lasting performance
• Aesthetically appealing and comfortable polished rosewood handles
• Limited lifetime warranty

Cons

• Expensive
• Is not rust and stain resistant

The KitchenAid Classic Forged Series cleaver is high-quality and affordable and is constructed of high-grade German high-carbon stainless steel. The handles of these knives are made of ergonomically engineered and durable onyx black plastic, for ultimate comfort and control.

While the KitchenAid Classic Forged Series 6-inch Cleaver is on the smaller side, it is exceptionally razor-sharp and powerful, having the ability to chop through tough meat as well as small bones in a matter of seconds. Its high-grade, high-carbon German forged stainless steel blade has long-lasting edge retention and delivers an excellent performance.

Pros

• High quality
• High-grade, high-carbon German stainless steel blade
• Polished triple steel rivets
• Ideal for chopping small pieces of meat and small bones
• Razor-sharp edge
• Sturdy and strong blade
• Dishwasher safe
• Well-balanced
• Full tang cleaver
• Easy to resharpen
• Ergonomically engineered and durable onyx black plastic handle
• Lifetime limited warranty

Cons

• Blade becomes dull quickly and needs to be resharpened
• Not stain and rust-resistant
• Not for cutting large pieces of meat or tough bones

The Japanese-made GLOBAL meat cleaver delivers superb craftsmanship and is an ideal choice for the serious and dedicated meat slicer. GLOBAL meat cleavers are some of the most high quality you can buy and are the preferred cutting tool of professional chefs and home cooks alike.

Its powerful, yet lightweight design and razor-sharp blade are part of what makes this such a popular tool, as it retains its edge longer than any other major brand on the market. GLOBAL constructs their cleavers entirely out of CROMOVA 18, stainless steel with a high Rockwell hardness of C56-58. CROMOVA 18 makes the blade extra hard and able to maintain its sharpness for longer, but can still be sharpened with a whetstone.

Pros

• Superb Japanese craftsmanship
• Razor-sharp edge
• Preferred choice of professional and home chefs alike
• A dramatically sharper knife that stays sharper longer
• Constructed with CROMOVA 18 Stainless Steel
• Rockwell 56-58 hardness
• Functional design
• Blade angled at 15 degrees for cutting control without the hand fatigue
• Retains edge longer than any other major brand on the market
• Razor-sharp straight edge sharpened by hand
• Designed to butcher and cut through bones
• Versatile and can also be used for chopping and dicing vegetables
• Bolsterless design for full edge use
• Perfect balance
• Lightweight for agility
• Long-term durability
• Rust, stain, and corrosion resistance
• Can be resharpened with a whetstone
• Limited lifetime warranty

Cons

• Expensive
• Must be hand-washed
• No finger-guard
• Known to be breakable if attempting to chop through thick bones

ZHEN Japanese knives are constructed from Damascus steel, with 67 layers and a 60 to 62 hardness rating. The ZHEN Japanese cleaver knives are known for their exceptional sharpness, edge retention, and durability and come in 6.5-inches, 7-inches and 8-inches.

The cleaver is in fact not designed to chop through meat bones, so we recommend that you do not attempt to! While these cleaver knives are extremely high quality and long-lasting with a  sharp edge, they are created for the purpose of cutting meat, fruit, and vegetables. ZHEN Japanese knives include a Pakka wood handle that widens at the end, giving them a completely different feel to other cleavers.

Pros

• Made with top-grade Japanese 67-layer Damascus Steel
• Excellent sharpness and edge retention
• Durable and long-lasting
• Easy to sharpen
• Waterproof, bacteria-resistant Pakka wood handle
• Non-slip and comfortable grip
• Rust and stain resistant
• Full tang design

Cons

• Should not attempt to cut through bones
• While shaped like a cleaver knife, these knives act as more of a slicing and cutting knife

Best Cleaver Knife Brands Comparison

Product Image	Product Name	Dimensions	Price
	SKY LIGHT 7-inch Chinese Cleaver	11.9 x 2.4 x 3.14 inches	$$
	Utopia Kitchen 7-inch Stainless Steel Cleaver	11.6 x 0.9 x 3.15 inches	$$
	Messermeister Four Seasons 6-inch Cleaver	12 x 3.5 x 1 inches	$59.95
	Imarku 7-Inch Chopper-Cleaver-Butcher Knife	13 x 4 x 1 inches	$33.99
	Dalstrong 7-inch Gladiator Series Cleaver	13.46 x 0.1 x 3.27 inches	$$
	Dalstrong 7-inch Gladiator Series Cleaver	11 x 4 x 1 inches	$$
	Dexter-Russell (S5288) 8-inch Heavy-Duty Cleaver	16.5 x 2.75 x 1.7 inches	$59.63
	KitchenAid KKFTR6CLOB Classic Forged Series 6-inch Cleaver	LxWxH 13.8 x 4.4 x 0.6 inches	$19.99
	GLOBAL G-12 6 1/2 inch Meat Cleaver	12 x 3 x 1 inches	$$
	ZHEN Japanese VG-10 67-Layer Damascus Steel 8-Inch Cleaver	8 x 4 x 0.07 inches	$135.95