Best Meat Cleavers: 2022 Top 9 Choices for Every Chef
Top chef or not, you need a reliable meat cleaver. This heavy-duty knife is meant to help you get you through cutting slabs of meat, and will make the process of preparing dishes quicker and less enervating. If you are searching for the best meat cleaver in the culinary world, we’ve listed down the pros and cons of our top choices.
Table of Contents
- 9 Best Meat Cleavers - Comparisons
- Our Picks: 9 Best Meat Cleavers - Reviews
- 1. Utopia Kitchen 7 Inches Cleaver Knife Chopper Butcher Knife
- 2. Cleaver Knife, Imarku Chef Knife
- 3. LedgeON 7" Professional Cleaver - Pro Series - High Carbon Stainless Steel Blade - Wood Handle
- 4. Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin Four Star 5-Inch High Carbon Stainless-Steel Meat Cleaver
- 5. Top Rated Epica Stainless Steel Cleaver/Chopper
- 6. Dexter-Russell (S5288) - 8" Heavy-Duty Cleaver
- 7. DALSTRONG Cleaver - Gladiator Series
- 8. New Star Foodservice 59076 Heavy Duty Cleaver with Wooden Handle
- 9. 7" Professional Cleaver Knife Stainless Steel with Ergonomic Handle
- Final Verdict
9 Best Meat Cleavers - Comparisons
Image | Product Name | Primary Material | Length | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Stainless Steel | 7" | ||
  | Cleaver Knife (Currently unavailable) | Stainless Steel | 7" | |
  | Carbon Stainless Steel | 6"-8" | ||
  | Carbon Stainless Steel | 6" | ||
  | X30cr13 Stainless Steel | 7" | ||
  | Carbon Stainless Steel | 8" | ||
  | Carbon Stainless Steel | 7" | ||
  | Stainless Steel | 8" | ||
  | Stainless Steel | 7" |
Our Picks: 9 Best Meat Cleavers - Reviews
If you’re looking for something that’s easy to maneuver, this multi-purpose cleaver from Utopia Kitchen is a top contender.
This sturdy one-piece steel knife is cleverly designed to ease you from the fear of cleaver handles falling off. Aside from its sharp edges that give it superb cutting performance, its material is very easy to clean too.
What we liked
- The blade is tarnish-free and rust-resistant so you can be assured of its durability.
- Its design allows you to have a good grip—one of the most important things every cook considers when buying a knife.
- Although it’s made of quality stainless steel, this cleaver is weighted well. Even the ladies will find it comfortable to use and maneuver this kitchen gem.
- This cleaver is easy to sharpen, hence maintaining its quality cutting performance won’t be a problem —it will help you deliver quality cuts effortlessly every time.
What we didn't like
- The blade can really be too sharp, so you should be extra careful when using it.
This well-crafted meat cleaver features an exquisite wooden handle made to give comfort and superior quality. A part from its ergonomics, it also has an anti-bacterial effect to protect your hands.
Not only is this knife great for chopping through thick meats, it can also be used to slice, dice, and mince. And take note—durability is not an issue here, because the blade is made of 100 percent stainless steel which is rust-resistant.
What we liked
- For a meat cleaver, this multi-purpose knife is not that heavy. Its balanced weight will help you perform your kitchen duties way more efficiently.
- Comes in beautiful packaging—if you have a chef friend, you might want to consider giving this as a gift.
- This product is really easy to wash, so you also won’t have a problem maintaining its squeaky-clean look.
- Should you experience any problem with the product, Utopia Kitchen offers a lifetime warranty for this cleaver.
What we didn't like
- Not suitable for cutting through frozen foods as it might dull or damage the blade.
- This cleaver is not dishwasher-friendly.
Work in the kitchen like a professional chef using this Ledge ON meat cleaver. Thanks to its high-carbon stainless steel material, the sharp, corrosion-resistant blade make this product a must-have in your home or restaurant.
Another main advantage of this knife is its versatility—apart from cutting through the toughest of meats, it can remove skin from a fish with utter precision too.
What we liked
- It has a solid feel whenever you use it, helping you channel in the inner top chef in you.
- The weight and balance of this cleaver are perfect, considering the duties it offers.
- The spine of the blade is quite thick, making it easier for you to rest your palm on it whenever you are getting through a really large piece of meat.
- Its nicely finished handle also makes a great case for this knife. You can show it off in your kitchen, it looks really good in the rack.
What we didn't like
- The handle is rather small, which can be uncomfortable for people with bigger hands.
- You might have to sharpen this cleaver before using it to get optimal cutting performance.
If you’re looking for a cleaver that is dishwasher-friendly, this one from the well-renowned knife manufacturer is a great choice. The cleaver’s fully forged construction assures that its blade-to-handle transition is seamless and durable.
You also won’t have to worry about ergonomics and safety because its traditional triple-riveted handle can give you the comfort every cook needs.
What we liked
- Henckel products are primarily known for their durability, and this knife isn’t an exception.
- Its sturdy blade will help you cut through meat quickly, and it comes handy if you need to chop through bones and joints.
- This cleaver is heavy and sharp enough to handle the duties of other kitchen knives as well. It could definitely pass as every chef’s sidearm!
What we didn't like
- The top side of the blade is quite sharp as well, so you should be careful when using it. If you need to press the top, cover it with a kitchen towel so it doesn’t directly touch your palms.
- It is smaller than other cleavers, so it might not fit in your kitchen’s butcher block.
With the high-grade ice-tempered stainless steel of this cleaver, getting through thick pieces of meat is a breeze. Its ergonomic non-slip grip handle will make you feel as if the knife is an extension of your hand.
Its exceptional strength and hardness will also help you save time and effort—this one can even cut through a whole coconut!
What we liked
- A brilliant feature of this product is its ability to allow you to cut fast without letting the meat stick to the blade.
- It’s a solid knife with a full tang handle to make cutting safer and more convenient.
- Comes with exclusive lifetime warranty.
- As this cleaver is built to out-perform other kitchen knives, its multi-purpose quality can save you money.
What we didn't like
- This knife is a little heavy, but it ensures you of its sturdiness.
This product isn’t classified as heavy-duty for nothing. The hefty blade of this cleaver is made of high-carbon steel which is very reliable for chopping meat and even smashing bone.
And just in case you aren’t familiar with the Dexter Russell brand, search it up right away because this company is heaven for cooks and knife aficionados.
What we liked
- The rosewood handle of this meat cleaver adds an elegant touch to this otherwise hefty knife.
- Its blade is super thick—you can get through slabs of meat from large crustaceans!
- The blade is also razor sharp out of the box,you won’t need to service it for a long time.
- The blade features a hole at the end so you can hang it on a hook and let it air-dry after washing.
What we didn't like
- It’s not a negative, but worth noting that non-wood cutting boards won’t do if you are going to use this meat cleaver.
If you are looking for a meat cleaver that offers excellent knuckle clearance, the Gladiator Series is for you. On top of being wear-and stain-resistant, this 7-inch cleaver provides exceptional cutting precision.
Just judging by the series’ namesake, you can get an idea how brutally effective can this knife be.
What we liked
- As the blade is hand-sharpened to 18 degrees on both sides, it can serve as a double for chopping thick slabs of meat and cutting ultra-thin slices of vegetables.
- The cleaver also boasts of a bolster that adds counterweight and gives your fingers protection.
- Comes with a Dalstrong Perfect Fit protective sheath.
What we didn't like
- A hole for hanging the cleaver would have been a convenient feature.
This meat cleaver from New Star Food service comes with a heat-treated stainless steel blade that was designed to resist even the harshest of corrosions.
It also features a triple-riveted wood handle that offers optimal ergonomics and safety.
What we liked
- The 8-inch blade is impressively sharp; it can cut through meat and large vegetables easily.
- The cleaver is not too heavy, making it easy to maneuver even for the ladies.
- For a very economic price, this knife is a wise choice for anyone looking to buy a cleaver with superior cutting performance.
What we didn't like
- The handle felt a little loose at first, but after few washes it appears to be tightening up.
This elite meat cleaver ensures you of a good grip with its ergonomic design—its blade is bonded seamlessly to the handle.
As it has a solid full-tang scheme, it this cleaver is both easy to maneuver and safe to use. Sharpness and durability won’t be a problem either, because this knife is made of top-quality stainless steel.
What we liked
- Its extremely sharp blade is ready to use right away.
- This cleaver can cut even tricky meats like that of squids and octopuses.
- The ebony-hued handle gives this cleaver an elegant look. It also looks more expensive than it actually is.
What we didn't like
- Like certain types of other cleavers, this one is also extra sharp. You need to be cautious when using and washing it.
Final Verdict
A dependable and durable cleaver is a must for any aspiring chef. Some of the best meat cleavers sold out there are already rounded up in this list, so you won’t have to go through scores of options in Google.
As long as you know the features you’re looking for, you should be able to take your pick from any of the products we’ve recommended here.
