We have researched and reviewed some of the Best Meat Cleaver for your home, kitchen, and restaurant. Hope, our meat cleavers reviews will help to find the best one.
Enter any modern professional or chef’s level kitchen, and one thing that will shock you is this rough, hacking and rugged tool called the meat cleaver.
The next feeling that will take over your emotions is that this metal hunk stuck in wood doesn’t deserve a place like a kitchen, perhaps butcher shops owners and culinary schools deserve to have them.
Well, the truth of the matter is that when it comes to simpler flashy kitchen implements, nothing beats this heavy-duty tool.
Chopping large bones or perhaps crushing garlic never gets any easier without a meat cleaver. I also guess when you arrive home from hunting with your deer.
The next tool you will need apart from the sizeable sharp knife is a meat cleaver. Well, we are pretty aware that not all of you are familiar with this world of cleavers.
For that reason, we are going to share the best options available out there. Terrible cleavers have no room in our comprehensive list. In fact, they were the first to be eliminated.
Table of Contents
- My Top Selection
- Chicago Cutlery Chicago Cutlery Belmont 6 1/2-Inch Meat Cleaver
- Winco Heavy Duty Meat Cleaver
- 7 Inch Stainless Steel Meat Cleaver for Home Kitchen or Restaurant
- Top Chef by Master Cutlery 7″ Meat Cleaver
- Dexter-Russell (S5288) – 8″ Heavy-Duty Meat Cleaver
- Top Rated Epica Professional Meat Cleaver for Home or Restaurant
- Professional Heavy Duty Japanese Meat Cleaver
- J.A. HENCKELS INTERNATIONAL Classic 6-inch Meat Cleaver
- How to Choose the Best Meat Cleaver
- How I Selected Best Rated Meat Cleaver
- Things to Consider Before Buying Meat Cleaver
- Types of Steel Used in Meat Cleaver
- How to Use Meat Cleaver
- Safety Instructions to Use a Meat Cleaver
My Top Selection
Our Team researched and analyzed the market and picked the next best-rated meat cleaver for you. Hope, the following meat cleaver reviews will help you to decide to buy the best one.
Chicago Cutlery Chicago Cutlery Belmont 6 1/2-Inch Meat Cleaver
The Chicago Cutlery Chicago Cutlery Belmont 6 1/2-Inch Meat Cleaver is the ultimate tool to those that look forward to taking their cooking to the next level.
Cutting through heavy bones, thick steaks, and firm vegetables is now made more comfortable than before. Inspired by sharpened precision, this tool offers an exclusive cutting experience.
Full metal tang adds in the solid rock feel for a more balanced, controlled and stronger cut. Professional stainless steel blades and polymer & steel handles worked great for its longevity.
Features of Chicago Cutlery Chicago Cutlery Belmont 6 1/2-Inch Meat Cleaver
- Features heavy duty full metal tang
- Sharpened with high-end precision
- High-quality stainless steel and polymer construction
- Eases the cut on meat, soft bones, and firm vegetables
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: Is the Belmont 16 Piece Block Knife forged steel?
Answer: Well, it is not like the product is forged. You will appreciate the rust-resistant blades. They are great knives for the price.
- Question: Are they dishwasher safe?
Answer: No, definitely they are not. Do not leave the meat cleaver in the dishwasher. Hand wash them and let them dry.
- Question: Are the handles of these knives solid sturdy?
Answer: Yes, they are heavy duty handles that will make your cut easier than ever before.
Winco Heavy Duty Meat Cleaver
Easy your bone cut with the Winco Heavy Duty Meat Cleaver. Measuring 8” long and 3.5” wide, the blade of this metal hunk will handle anything that comes along its way.
I heart the highly corrosion and rust resistant stainless steel used. The wooden handle is made of wood yet of good quality. Exclusive craftsmanship is well exhibited here.
Using and cleaning this unit is a snap given that it is dishwasher safe.
Features of Winco Heavy Duty Meat Cleaver
- Dishwasher safe
- Wooden handles
- Corrosion resistant stainless steel blades
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: How thick is the blade of this cleaver?
Answer: I may not pinpoint the exact measurements, but the thickest part is about 1/8-3/16
- Question: What is the weight of this cleaver?
Answer: It is around 15 oz.
- Question: Can I use this cleaver to cut through beef bones and joints?
Answer: Well, that is a bit technical given that most beef bones are thick. Given that the blade is 8” long and 3.5” wide, you can personally tell whether this is the appropriate tool depending on how big your beef bone is.
7 Inch Stainless Steel Meat Cleaver for Home Kitchen or Restaurant
The 7 Inch, Stainless Steel Meat Cleaver for Home Kitchen or Restaurant, is a restaurant-grade cleaver designed to cut through large pieces of meat and other foods. It is the ultimate tool that does the chopping, slicing and cleaving like no other.
Equipped with ABS+430 handles, it features a comfortable grip. Plus, maneuvering this cleaver is effortless. Another robust feature is the quality stainless steel blade that is ultra-sharp delivering exclusive cutting performance.
If there is nothing that lures you to this product, you will appreciate the 100% stainless steel construction. It is dishwasher safe. However, hand washing the unit is more recommended to prevent the blades from dulling.
If you happen to be looking for a meat cleaver with exceptional quality and ultra-sharp blades for the exclusive cutting experience, go no further.
The Heavy Duty Chopper Cleaver goes beyond the ordinary kitchen level. It is a commercial-grade cleaver that deserves every single buck of yours and will handle any stringent kitchen demand.
Features of 7 Inch Stainless Steel Meat Cleaver for Home Kitchen or Restaurant
- 100% stainless steel construction
- Ultra-sharp blades
- Easy to grip ABS+430 handles
- Designed to tackle harsh day-to-day kitchen demands
- Dishwasher safe
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: Does this cleaver come with a sheat?
Answer: It is a yes and a no. It comes in a paper/cardboard that gets wet and disintegrates.
- Question: Can I clean this product in the dishwasher?
Answer: Yes, you definitely can do that. However, it is advised to hand wash the cleaver to maintain the new original look. No one loves a stainless steel tool that dulls so easily
- Question: Is a sharpener included too?
Answer: No
Top Chef by Master Cutlery 7″ Meat Cleaver
Cut like the pros with the Top Chef by Master Cutlery 7″ Meat Cleaver. It is a precision-sharpened tool with a hollow ground that reduced sticking.
It features ice-tempered x30cr13 stainless steel blade for an exclusive cutting experience. Construction is private. To start with, the handles of this cleaver are full steel integrated with seamless bonded polished bolsters.
Additionally, the non-slip surface laser is added to enhance grip comfort. The etched “top chef” logo marks a unique footprint. If you are looking for a top chef knife, then this is a pretty good choice.
Features of Top Chef by Master Cutlery 7″ Meat Cleaver
- Ice-tempered x30cr13 stainless steel blade for exclusive cutting and chopping
- Ergonomic and non-slip handles
- Features hollow ground to reduce sticking
- Precision cut sharpened the cutting edge
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: I am a coconut lover, can I use this tool to crack open my coconut?
Answer: Yes, this is a heavy duty cleaver.
- Question: How many pounds is this product?
Answer: As indicated in the product information, it is approximately 1.4 pounds
- Question: It is not clear whether the blade is 6.5” or 7” because of the difference illustrated in the title and the product description. Can one clarify that?
Answer: The blade length is 6.5”.
Dexter-Russell (S5288) – 8″ Heavy-Duty Meat Cleaver
If you happen to be a beef fanatic like me, you need a friend like the Dexter-Russell (S5288) – 8″ Heavy-Duty Meat Cleaver to smash those big bones with easy easily.
It is a great kitchen fix for those that want to take their cooking experience a notch higher. Its brilliant design is well-balanced to enhance comfort during use.
The blade is made of high-quality and stain-free high carbon steel while the handles boast of Rosewood. Brass rivets are used to secure the handle to the blade firmly.
Having this unit in your kitchen means less cooking time and additional décor. Additionally, this cleaver has a flat blade tip.
Features of Dexter-Russell (S5288) – 8″ Heavy-Duty Meat Cleaver
- Ergonomically designed for comfortable use
- Quality stain-free high carbon steel construction
- Non-slip Rosewood handles
- Hefty for smashing bones
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: What are the dimensions of the blade?
Answer: The top of the blade is 7.5 inches while the height is about 4.5 inches.
- Question: Can I use this cleaver to cut through my fibrous hard-to-cut galangal?
Answer: The blade is ultra-sharp and will cut through the hardest bone.
- Question: Is it made in the USA?
Answer: It is no longer made in the U.S., it is made in China.
Top Rated Epica Professional Meat Cleaver for Home or Restaurant
The Top Rated Epica Professional Meat Cleaver for Home or Restaurant for Home or Restaurant is the ultimate professional tool that brings cooking convenience right at your home.
This chef-quality tool features precision cut hollow ground edge plus the ergonomic full tang handle. It is perfectly designed to enhance accuracy in cutting and allow for weight balance.
Made with high-grade X30cr13 stainless steel, this is the perfect tool for the busy home cook. One prominent feature is the high-grade ice-tempered stainless steel blades that will cut through thick roasts, melons, chops, steaks and much more.
The non-slip handle designed for a reliable, comfortable grip. Using this cleaver will feel as if it is an extension of your hand.
Another brilliant feature of this chopper is the ability to allow for a fast cut without letting meat stick to the ground edge. I highly recommend this tool to those that prefer high-performance cutting.
Features of Top-Rated Epica Professional Meat Cleaver for Home or Restaurant
- Its ice-tempered edge maintains longer sharpness
- X30CR13 Stainless Steel for exclusive strength and hardness
- Non-slip grip handle
- Weight-balanced for easy chopping
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: Is 7” the dimensions of the blade or the whole cleaver?
Answer: It is for the whole knife.
- Question: Does this knife come with a sharpener? Can I buy one with the correct angle?
Answer: No, it doesn’t come with a sharpener. We have a great article and buying guide for electric knife sharpeners you should check out.
- Question: How much this product weigh?
Answer: It is about 3-4lbs.
Professional Heavy Duty Japanese Meat Cleaver
The Professional Heavy Duty Japanese Meat Cleaver is another incredible tool that takes the gold home in the line of the best meat cleavers.
It is a multipurpose tool perfect for slicing, mincing, chopping, and dicing. Featuring a full steel handle that is seamlessly bonded and polished bolsters, it has a superior solid grip.
Plus, it is also non-slip to enhance user comfort and made of stainless steel, this unit is built to last a lifetime.
Additionally, you can use this tool to prep vegetables, herbs, poultry, fish, or meat. Cleaning is a breeze as the unit is dishwasher safe.
Being tarnish and rust-resistant means it will ease your cooking without any disappointments. Love professional cutting, try the Japanese Professional Meat Cleaver and experience the difference.
Features of Professional Heavy Duty Japanese Meat Cleaver
- Quality professional stainless steel butcher cleaver
- Heft tool for prepping vegetables, fruits, herbs, meat, etc.
- Dishwasher safe and rust resistant
- Non-slip full steel handle
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: What purpose does the opposite side with ridges serve?
Answer: It is for breaking bones.
- Question: For those who have used this tool, how is the weight distributed? Is it a blade-heavy or a handle-heavy tool?
Answer: It is equally balanced to enhance user comfort.
- Question: Apart from chopping steaks of meat, what else can one do with this best Japanese meat cleaver?
Answer: You can use it for dicing, mincing or even tenderizing meat cutlets.
J.A. HENCKELS INTERNATIONAL Classic 6-inch Meat Cleaver
The J.A. HENCKELS INTERNATIONAL Classic 6-inch Meat Cleaver is another incredible tool that best suits the needs of those with small hands.
The heavy 6” Henckels is ideal when used to reduce chicken to bite sizes. On the other hand, you can use it to butcher any soft meat.
If you love hanging your tools on a peg or some hook so that the young ones may not mess around, then this is it. It has a hole on the end of the blade which you can make pretty good use of.
Even though this cleaver is made of an inferior quality high-carbon German stainless steel, it is a magnificent beast that will effortlessly cut through bones and joints.
It is dishwasher safe. However, hand washing is more recommended to prevent the tool from dulling quickly.
Features of J.A. HENCKELS INTERNATIONAL Classic 6-inch Meat Cleaver
- Full-tang handle surrounded by triple rivets
- Dishwasher safe
- The ultimate tool for chopping through bones and joints
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: How much does this cleaver weigh?
Answer: It is about 0.74lb
- Question: What is the size of this cleaver? What of the width?
Answer: The cleaver is 6” while the width is about 3 inches.
- Question: Is this unit made of pure stainless steel or some cheap metals?
Answer: This is a pretty solid unit that is made of high-carbon steel.
How to Choose the Best Meat Cleaver
The apparent reason as to why you would want the best meat cleaver in your kitchen is to find it comfortable and convenient when taking apart or hacking through bones among other uses.
Therefore, no matter how tempting a knives collection may look, you have no business with the Chinese lightweight cleavers. We should, perhaps, call them versatile chef’s knives.
Neither are you looking for the prettiest cleaver around unless you plan to get more décor for your small kitchen and nothing more? What is more important is to choose a heavy-duty tool with quality matching handles.
How I Selected Best Rated Meat Cleaver
Perhaps you need some insight into my selection criteria that finally left me with top models in the market.
Selecting the best meat cleaver isn’t a sort of complicated, sophisticated tool simply because this is just a massive metal hunk fitted into a handle.
After vigorous testing that involved hacking through bones, crushing and even tenderizing where applicable, we finally came up with a list of the models that stood up to the task.
Our top considerations included the material used, the quality of the handle, weight among others such as aesthetics.
Things to Consider Before Buying Meat Cleaver
When you are planning to have a meat meal for your dinner, it’s also essential to understand that there are a variety of factors needed for a perfect meat dish at your table.
Besides having quality meat from your best butchery, beautiful ingredients, and high-class cooking, the initial stage of preparing your meat will also play a significant role in having a great dish.
These stages involve the primary preparation process, being led with chopping. Before even washing your meat for cooking, you need them in various representable sizes.
Therefore, a high-quality meat cleaver must be part of your kitchen essentials to achieve this. Cutting a beef that will stand out will largely depend on the type of meat cleaver you buy.
Here are some tips to consider before buying a meat cleaver to ensure the most delicious meat.
The Weight of the Cleaver
Before buying your dream cleaver, it’s vital to consider the weight. The weight of the cleaver determines its task in your kitchen.
For instance, heavier cleavers are designed for chopping meat with bones. Similarly, planning for a lighter cleaver can also be the best choice since they are made for slicing meat and vegetables.
Another essential thing to consider is that heavy cleavers demand more strength. Therefore, if you’re not very strong, it is advisable to consider buying a lighter cleaver.
Comfortability When Using
Chopping meat in your kitchen should bring a good experience on your cooking journey. Before buying your cleaver, comfortability is another vital factor to consider. Be sure not to end up with an extremely heavy cleaver that will strain your arms when holding.
Handle and Blade Edge
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Size of the Blade
Most of the cleavers have wide blades and are generally larger. However, the difference comes in dimensions of each cleaver.
Soft meat is comfortably handled with narrow edged-cleavers while tough meat can easily be cut with a broader blade.
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The Handle of the Cleaver
For easy chopping of your meat, the handle of your cleaver will talk a lot. Some of the cleavers are made up of stainless handles, and others are made of wood.
You should consider choosing a cleaver which is comfortable to grip and swing. A good handle will also reduce the chances of being hurt when chopping your meat.
Versatility
Since different cleavers are designed for chopping through different types of meat and bones, there can be a significant challenge when it comes to choosing the right meat cleaver for your kitchen, especially when you are not a professional chef.
It is, therefore, advisable to consider choosing a multi-purpose meat cleaver which can easily be used for all kinds of meat.
It will save your time since you don’t need to change your knives when preparing meat. You will also save money that could be used for buying many cleavers to perform different tasks.
Types of Steel Used in Meat Cleaver
There are three major types of steel used in meat cleaver. These include:
Rust-Resistance Steel
Meat Cleaver made from this type of still is the best choice you can have in your kitchen. Their blades are sharp and stainless. It makes it more durable than any other option available.
Tensile Strength Steel
Sturdy tensile strength steel makes your cleavers strong and hard to break. Instead, they flex. Cleavers made from this steel are easy to sharpen when they get dull.
Edge Retention Steel
Meat cleaver with excellent edge retention steel is also strong and durable, which makes it ideal to cut through meat bones.
However, it is difficult to sharpen the knife when dull. It can also be tiresome dealing with cleaver made from this steel especially if you are not strong since they are very heavy.
How to Use Meat Cleaver
The following are guidelines on how to efficiently use a meat cleaver.
Step-1: Make Sure Your Cutting Board is Ready
It does not mean that you need those large butcher logs in your kitchen. Your cutting board should be hardy and stay glued to your hard counter to avoid sliding around when performing heavy cuttings.
Step-2: Place the Meat You Want to Cut on the Cutting Board
It is the next step you need to follow. Stabilize your meat on the cutting board in a right position depending on its shape.
Step-3: Choose Your Attack Position
It must be associated with some precautions to avoid causing an accident. Make sure your hand is away from chopping range. Get ready to cut your meet to your desired shape.
Step-4: Cut Your Meat
When cutting your meet, there is no need to struggle with your cleaver. Let the weight of the cleaver do much of the work for you. Your wrist should press the cutting motion.
Raise your arm slightly and then bring down to cut the meat. Be careful not to insert a lot of effort as you will be risking to split your cutting board.
If necessary, slice through a second time to split your meat into clear pieces.
Safety Instructions to Use a Meat Cleaver
It is also vital to know the best methods of achieving safety in your kitchen as careless handling of cleaver knives can bring more harm than benefits.
Below are safety instructions which will help you to minimize the risk of personal and family injury at large.
They will also ensure that your kitchen is running smoothly on every approach of preparing your best dish.
1. Sharpen Your Cleaver
A sharp cleaver can mean a high safety in your kitchen. With a sharp meat cleaver, you need very little strength to chop your meat.
As opposed to a dull cleaver, a sharp cleaver is associated with fewer injuries since it does not involve overstriking which can make the knife to slip and harm you.
Use a sharpening stone or a knife sharpener to keep your cleaver sharp.
2. Clean Your Cleaver Cleaver Regularly
Routine cleaning of your cleaver immediately after use is essential to keep off any contamination cost with meet stains and residue.
Be sure to wash and keep it in a safe place to ensure the health of your family or fellow workers is maintained.
A clean cleaver is also easy to handle. Prevent food debris from building up on the handles of your cleaver as they may cause it to be slippery hence giving room for causing injuries.
3. Store Your Knife Appropriately
Don’t leave your knife on a cutting board or sink as it can easily be accessed with children and cause harm. It is advisable to have a designated knife storage place to help keep your kitchen more organized.
On top of these, ensure that your cleavers are aways out of your working space in case you are not using them. It can easily be practiced by having an appropriate place to keep your meat cleaver.
4. Always Cut Away from Yourself
When performing your cutting, make sure you cut your meet away from yourself. It may seem a simple rule but can save you a lot of risks. Avoid cutting toward yourself since it’s easy to curt and harm yourself.
Final Verdict
Meat cleavers are simple tools that anyone is pretty familiar with. You do not have to break the banks to get the best ones.
However, caution has to be exercised so as not to land at the counterfeit poor-quality knives that claim to be best meat cleavers. Most of them can’t stand the test after extended use.
To get rid of the searching hassle, we highly recommend the above models for the best meat cleaver. They are some of the best out there and will enable you to take your cooking experience a notch higher. Try them out and be sure to love the result.