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Chop, slice, mince, dice, or even smash with the Chinese cleaver, which is an all-purpose and versatile kitchen tool. A Chinese cleaver works nothing like a “cleaver” most Westerners have in mind.
Instead, it is a lightweight, thin-edged cutting knife that can delicately slice the skin of a fish and also mince a chunk of meat. Chinese cleavers are made of carbon steel and generally have wooden handles.
Being equipped with the best chinese cleaver can help you perform all the basic functions of a knife with finesse. The blunt edge of the blade can be used to pound meat, while the broad flat surface works great for smashing garlic.
The side works as an efficient bench scraper. From working like a boning knife to being a meat cleaver, it can do them all.
Mentioned below is a list of some of our favorite picks of cleavers available out there.
5 Best Chinese Cleaver Reviews 2024
1 – Winco Blade Chinese Cleaver w/ wooden handle
The Winco Blade Chinese cleaver is a favorite in most chefs’ kitchens. Here are some of its major features:
Blade: The blade is made up of high carbon steel ensuring sharp cuts every time and retains its sharpness for a very long time, which is a major plus point.
The large rectangular blade measures 6.75″ in length and 3.5″ in width, making it a better scooping knife than most available in the market.
The blade can be easily sharpened to the T on a whetstone set.
Handle: The cleaver comes with a 4.5″ long wooden handle with circular edged rings on it for a strong grip.
Performance: The cleaver cuts through meat and vegetables effortlessly with accuracy.
The quality and performance of the product, along with its price tag, makes it our favorite pick.
PROS
- Highest quality blade
- Long-lasting sharpness
- Affordable price
- Large blade surface
CONS
- Not for cutting thick bones
- Can be slightly heavy for some
2 – Imarku Cleaver Knife 7 Inch German High Carbon Stainless Steel Chopper Knife
The Imarku kitchen knife is a versatile knife that works well for both home-cooks as well as culinary professionals. Some of its major features are:
Blade: Made up of premium quality German stainless steel, the blade is sharp, durable, and rust-resistant.
The blade is 10 inches long and 2.3 mm thick. It is easy to re-sharpen the knife.
Handle: The handle is made of premium pakkawood handle, giving it a well-balanced grip.
Performance: The ergonomic design and the 15-inch overall design makes it comfortable to use and gives it a perfect balance for symmetrical and precise cuts every time.
PROS
- Rust-resistant German steel blade
- Balanced ergonomic design
- 100% satisfaction money-back guarantee
- Easy maintenance
CONS
- It is huge and heavy to hold
- Need frequent re-sharpens
3 – Winco KC-401, 12.541.25 Cleaver
The Winco KC-401 is a one seamless stainless steel piece that is highly durable and cuts all your basic food items with finesse. Here are some of its major features:
Blade: The blade is made up of high-quality stainless steel and measures 8.3″ inches in length with a broad surface area.
It can smoothly cut through chunks of food with its sharp and thick edge. The broad blade also makes it a good bench scraper.
Handle: Measuring 4″ in length, the handle is made of premium stainless steel with notched grip for added comfort and prevents any slippage.
Performance: The balance of the blade and the handle gives precise cuts every time. It is comfortable to use and super easy clean since it is dishwasher safe.
PROS
- Rust-resistant stainless steel
- Dishwasher safe
- High durability
- Very affordable price
CONS
- The handle is a bit small to some
- It is not as comfortable to hold as a wooden handle.
4 – Wusthof 4686-7/18 Classic 7-inch New Forged Chinese Cleaver
The Wusthof new forged classic series is the band’s best-selling series for generations and has satisfied every cook or professional chef.
Some of the major features of this classic Chinese cleaver are:
Blade: Manufactured from premium quality high-carbon stain-free steel alloy, the blade measures 7″ in length and has a sharp-thin edge.
The sharp blade is long-lasting and can perfectly chop any vegetables and performs well as a boning knife too.
The broad blade surface can be used to crush garlic, and as a bench scraper or scooper to transfer the cut ingredients. The flat surface can also be used to tenderize meat.
Handle: The handle is made up of premium synthetic material-polyoxymethylene, which is highly durable. The material is free from fading or discoloration due to its molecular makeup.
Performance: It can smoothly cut through chunks of vegetables and meat with accuracy.
PROS
- Highly durable
- Well-balanced cleaver
- No discoloration of the handle
- Broad blade surface area
CONS
- Expensive price
- Need frequent sharpening
5 – Dexter S5198 8″ x 3-1/4″ Chinese Chefs Knife
This Chinese cleaver can cut through meat and vegetables smoothly. Its major features are:
Blade: Made of high-quality stainless carbon steel, the blade measures 7″ in length and is 2″ wide.
It is sharp and slightly curved, giving you precise cuts every time. The blade is also stain-resistant and easy to clean.
The blade can be conveniently used as a bench scooper too.
Handle: The handle is made up of high-quality wood and is firmly riveted to the blade. It has circular rings that make it comfortable and allows a secure grip. The handle and the blade are well-balanced.
Performance: The cleaver is weighty enough to effortlessly cut through meat with minimal effort and can cut paper-thin slices of any food item.
PROS
- Stain-resistant blade
- Highly durable
- Non-slippery handle
- Easy to re-sharpen
CONS
- Slightly heavy
- Short handle
Conclusion
Chinese cleavers are a must-have in every kitchen. With so many available in the market, it is imperative that your kitchen is equipped only with the best.
The Winco Blade Chinese cleaver is our best pick because it gives the best combination of quality, performance, and price.
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