10 Best Meat Cleavers for Every Chef in 2020

The Best Meat Cleavers Review for Every Chef In 2020

Premium Pick

Shun Classic 7" Vegetable Cleaver

Best Choice

Utopia Kitchen 7 Inches Cleaver Knife

Best Value

Meat Cleaver, 7 Inch Meat Butchers Knife

Shopping for the best meat cleaver can take time and a fair bit of research. There are cleavers that are better suited for chopping bone, while others are better suited for lighter tasks like chopping vegetables. There are a variety of materials, blade sizes, and craftsmanship that all play into how useful and valuable your new cleaver will be in your kitchen. There are even added features to consider such as whether you need rounded or blunt tips, and whether the handle is suited for your hand. Even details like quality customer service can play into your decision. That’s why we’ve collected this list of our top recommendations. We’ve done the work for you by closely examining the best meat cleavers on the market.

The Best Meat Cleaver Review

BEST CHOICE: Utopia Kitchen 7 Inches Cleaver Knife

Best Choice

Key features

Its 7-inch blade cuts easily through large pieces of meat, vegetables, and fruits. It allows for accuracy when segmenting and trimming larger cuts of meat and other items like melon, squash, and pineapple. The steel is built to meet the difficult cooking demands of all types of commercial kitchen needs. 

  • The handle of the Utopia Cleaver Knife is ergonomically designed to minimize wrist tension and provides a natural fit. 
  • Designed with stainless steel, this heavy-duty 7-inch meat cleaver is the perfect tool for getting through tough meat and bone, making it a great addition to any kitchen. 
  • It’s tarnish-resistant, rust-resistant, and easy to clean stainless steel blade makes the maintenance of the cleaver very easy.
  • The Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Cleaver is built from 100% stainless steel of the finest quality.

What we like

We appreciate that this cleaver is completely dishwasher safe, although, it is preferable to hand wash it in order to retain the fine quality of the exceptional blades.

What we don't like

Instead of a rounded tip, which is safer for a tool like this, it has a blunt, sharpened edge. This may be preferable for many, but it is worth noting as it is less safe than a rounded edge.

Shun Classic 7" Vegetable Cleaver

Premium Pick

Key features

  • The Shun Classic 7-inch Vegetable Cleaver is a powerful yet nimble tool. 
  • Every part of its square, wide blade can be used. 
  • Use the sharp edge for chopping vegetables, especially larger vegetables like cabbage. 
  • The surface of the blade is ideal of crushing ginger, garlic cloves and more. 
  • The Japanese word “shun” refers to a food’s peak ripeness. Shun embraces its name to produce kitchen knives of peak performance and advanced materials. 
  • The 7-inch Vegetable Cleaver has weight and power while also being capable of agile, accurate movements. 
  • The cutting core of the blade is made from the exclusive Shun formula of VG-MAX steel, an innovative formula with additional tungsten for sharpness, cobalt, and carbon for strength and durability and additional chromium for resistance to wear and corrosion. 
  • The Vegetable Cleaver is made with a thinner blade for easier control, making meal preparations an enjoyable process.

What we like

The classic 7-inch Vegetable Cleaver is an elite knife, ideal for every household that enjoys cooking and wants to ease of a suitable tool for working with vegetables. 

What we don't like

If you will be using this knife with some regularity, plan on sharpening it weekly to keep it in the best possible condition.

Meat Cleaver, 7 Inch Meat Butchers Knife Chef's Knives

Best Value

Key features

  • This Meat cleaver is heavier than classic chef knives, which makes cutting easier.
  • It has an ultra-sharp edge with a 17°angle per side. 
  • The knife has been hand polished over 60 days by seasoned craftsman.
  • It has been precisely forged by extraordinary quality stainless steel X50CrMoV15 at 58+ Rockwell Hardness.
  • The knife has been nitrogen cooled for enhanced hardness, flexibility and corrosion resistance to assure your best cut.
  • Made from military-grade high polymer, the handle is highly impervious to heat, cold, and moisture.
  • The ergonomic handle is far superior when compared to other knives for hand control, agility, and comfort.

What we like

Bring the art of classical style and advanced modern technology craftsmanship to your kitchen with this meat cleaver. Each knife from SKY LIGHT has gone through extremely strict detection before it ever gets to your hand. No defect is allowed from the very beginning of the manufacturing process.

What we don't like

Some customers have reported that the design is less comfortable for large hands.

Dexter-Russell (S5288)

Key features

  • This cleaver has a high-carbon hand sharpened and honed steel blade with hanging hole at the end. 
  • The rosewood handle is secured to the blade tang with brass rivets.
  • It’s built with enough heft to smash bone and meat with ease.
  • The knife is balanced to be comfortable through every use. 
  • The meat cleaver’s blade includes a flat blade tip and is made of stain-free, high-carbon steel. 
  • This blade measures 8-inches long.

What we like

We like that this meat cleaver is heavy, which makes it easy to wield and bring stability to your movements while preparing your meals.

What we don't like

You will want to plan on sharpening this meat cleaver upon arrival, as well as ongoing with use. It is not a self-sharpening edge.

Zelite Infinity Cleaver Knife

Key features

  • Considered best in class, the Zelite Infinity Cleaver Knife is razor-sharp, visually stunning, and has a satisfying heft. 
  • This is a 7-inch (17.8cm) multipurpose Chinese-style chef knife. 
  • It’s perfect for cutting, chopping, slicing, deboning, and cleaving meats, light bone, vegetables, coconuts, whole chickens, and more with ruthless efficiency, bringing excitement back to cooking. 
  • Unlike a lot of the competition who use cheap steel that will rust, dent, and wear out, Zelite uses ThyssenKrupp high-carbon stainless steel X50 Cr MoV 15, which offers long-lasting performance, along with resistance to rust, corrosion, and stains. 
  • It boasts an optimum 56 Rockwell Hardness, meaning the blade is tough and hard with exceptional edge retention.
  • This knife features a full tang, a big forged rounded black ergonomic handle with a rare tapered bolster that offers perfect forward balance and robust control. 
  • The Zelite comes with a 100% satisfaction money-back guarantee making this purchase risk-free. It also carries a lifetime warranty.

What we like

This is considered the premier meat cleaver, making it an ideal gift for any home or professional kitchen cook. This is a heavy-duty knife that is also solid and nimble, giving you extreme cutting power.

What we don't like

While we don’t care for the multiple reports that customers have had to contact customer service, we do appreciate that they have all reported high-quality, five-star customer care.

Meat Cleaver,7 inch Cleaver Knife Chinese Butcher Knife

Key features

  • This meat cleaver is a precisely forged, ultra sharp, wear-resistant, single piece of premium stainless steel.
  • The blade has been hand sharpened to 25° to maintain the perfect balance between blade sharpness and maximum resilience.
  • The tall, 7-inch blade height gives you knuckle clearance to assist with food preparation and chopping activity.
  • There’s a tapered design for hardness and flexibility. 
  • The manufacturer has added chromium for stain-resistance.
  • It’s been precisely tempered for added durability.
  • The full tang adds incredible robustness and quality 
  • The premium quality laminated Pakkawood handle is long-lasting and attractive.

What we like

Packed with a delicate gift box, this knife is the perfect gift for home cooks as well as professional chefs. We like the design and craftsmanship.

What we don't like

The finish seems to hold fingerprints and smudges easily. Plan on cleaning and polishing fairly often to keep that new-knife gleam

Wusthof Gourmet 7" Cleaver

Key features

  • Wusthof Classic 7-inch meat cleaver is blunt and thick to cut with ease through bone for meat separating. 
  • This knife features a classic design and requires hand washing with a mild soap. 
  • It’s made from solid steel, while the handle is black synthetic. 
  • This is a large, heavy blade with an overall weight of 2.7 pounds, making it ideal for comfortable, uniform cutting. 
  • It’s made in Solingen Germany.
  • The black 3-rivet synthetic handle is built for strength and durability.

What we like

This is one of the best meat cleavers available because of its long-lasting durability and comfortable weight.

What we don't like

Even though these knives are manufactured with rigorous quality control, there are occasional defects. Stay in touch with customer care to get a replacement.

Victorinox Cleaver

Key features

Over the years, both customer needs and technology have changed. The Swiss Army knife has evolved by responding to these needs while remaining an essential tool customers can rely on. The Victorinox knife has become an icon and one of the best meat cleavers available. It’s compact, sturdy and made in Switzerland.

What we like

The Victorinox is reliable and compact for multiple food prep uses.

What we don't like

This knife will likely be fairly dull right out of the box. Plan on sharpening it first and often.

ZWILLING Pro 6-inch Meat Cleaver

Key features

  • The ZWILLING Pro 6-inch Meat Cleaver makes tough jobs easy. 
  • It will chop roasted chickens and a rack of ribs or stock bones cleanly and effortlessly.
  • This is a heavy-duty cleaver, forged from a single piece of ice-hardened steel. 
  • The blade boasts maximum durability and sharpness. 
  • Like all knives in the Pro collection, this cleaver features an innovative curved bolster grip. This allows you to use a professional pinch grip for more control and less fatigue when breaking down large cuts of meat.

What we like

This meat cleaver carries a reputation that is rightfully deserved. It’s well-designed, heavy-duty, and great for pros, whether working in the restaurant or the home kitchen.

What we don't like

This knife will do the work, but it is not as aesthetically pleasing as many of the other knives on the market.

Global 812445 Meat Cleaver

Key features

  • The Global Meat Cleaver is square-bladed and designed to butcher and cut through bones.
  • It’s constructed entirely of stainless steel with a bolsterless design for the ability to use the full edge. 
  • It’s crafted to be lightweight for agility while working. 
  • The blade measures 6-1/2 inches, making it ideal for vegetables and dicing.  
  • Machine washing is okay, but hand-washing is preferred.

What we like

We like that this knife is used by home and professional chefs like Ludo LeFebvre. Global knives are lightweight, yet razor-sharp, which helps to reduce hand fatigue. They also retain their edge longer than any other major brand on the market.

What we don't like

This knife is not as long-lasting as many others on the market. Some customers report the handle breaking. However, they also add that customer support has replaced the knife each time. .

Buying Guide & FAQ for the Best Meat Cleavers

Not all meat cleavers are created equal. It can take some time to search for the best meat cleavers, which is why this guide is ideal for your shopping experience. 

What to Consider before buying a Meat cleaver

Think about what you’ll use this meat cleaver for. Will it be a constant cooking companion? Or will it be something you break out at parties to show off your knife skills? This not only speaks to the dollar investment you’ll be willing to make, but it can mean you’ll be looking for something specific. For example, something that will be in constant use will need to be something that can keep its edge so that you’re only sharpening it once a week or less. If it is something you’ll be using less often, sharpening it more often won’t be nearly as much of a chore. 

Why do you need the Best Meat Cleavers

A meat cleaver is the kind of thing you have to put a lot of power behind in order to use it correctly. It’s sharp and hefty and can cause injuries if one isn’t careful. Choosing a sub-par meat cleaver means you are risking injury on top of injuring your wallet with something that will need to be replaced. 

Choosing the best meat cleaver means you won’t need to buy another one for a very long time. It also means the handle won’t break, causing you to throw out your meal because you don’t know what particles got into your food. It also means you won’t have to worry about your prep time becoming longer and longer before each meal just because you have to work around a nicked and dull edge that won’t stay sharp. 

Meat Cleaver FAQ

  • What type of steel should you be using in your meat cleaver?

Every blade should be made of the strongest, most durable stainless steel. You’re wielding it for maximum force, which means it needs to hold it’s edge and remain strong and unbreakable. It’s also advisable that you choose something with a full tang. That means the stainless steel runs the entire length of the handle, which adds to its flexibility, strength, and durability. 

  • Is a meat cleaver better than a knife?

Neither a knife or meat cleaver is better than the other. They each have a different job. Knives are for slicing meat. A cleaver is for chopping meat and vegetables, cleaving through bone, and doing other big jobs while prepping food.  

  • Can you use a dishwasher to clean up the cleaver?

While some manufacturers will claim their cleavers are dishwasher safe, it’s always advisable that you hand wash the best meat cleavers. This is because it minimizes the possibility of wear and tear and lengthens the life of your knife. It also lessens the likelihood that you’ll need to sharpen the knife quite as often, ensuring that your knife is able to keep its edge, longer. 

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