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We take a look at some of the top Cleaver knives, from culinary to tactical models.
Perhaps more than any other word, “cleaver” most strongly evokes images of a butcher chopping at pork loin or beef ribs. Why? It’s essentially a kitchen hatchet. This tool lets you split large pieces of meat into smaller, more manageable ones by hacking through not only skin and muscle but also bone and sinew. How? With its heft, length, and strength.
A razor-sharp edge isn’t needed — nor desired — because it could buckle or crack. Instead, a cleaver blade is usually thicker than other knives and made of softer metal that won’t fracture. And depending on your culture or cooking style, you could also use it to slice, mince, or do other tasks (such as flatten garlic bulbs).
It certainly is an iconic piece of cutlery, and that’s why we’re taking a closer look at this genre. The models here range from traditional kitchen designs to tactical flavors of the face-shooter variety. Check them out to see if one of them suits your carnivorous needs.
Top Cleavers
TOPS Knives Tidal Force
OAL: 9.87 inches
Blade Length: 4.87 inches
Blade Material: 1095 high-carbon steel
Weight: 11.08 ounces
MSRP: $220
URL: topsknives.com
This author is a combatives instructor who studies Indonesian silat and Filipino kali, two arts that extensively use the karambit. There are specific uses for its curved blade and retention ring. Unfortunately, it’s a current industry fad to put a ring on the end of almost any knife type, and the Tidal Force is one such example. Aside from the unnecessary just-for-looks retention ring, this TOPS model features quality materials, stellar craftsmanship, and an excellent sheath. Made in the USA.
PROS:
- Kydex sheath with leather dangler
- Burlap Micarta handle scales look badass and provide excellent traction.
- The 0.19-inch-thick 1095 steel blade is razor sharp and delivers solid hacking power, despite its smaller stature.
CONS:
- Putting a karambit retention ring on the end of a cleaver is kinda like putting a rifle sling on your handgun or a spoiler on a truck.
- Like the other 1095 blades, this one will need to be cleaned, dried, and oiled to fight off rust.
Kai USA Pro Cleaver 7”
OAL: 12.5 inches
Blade Length: 7 inches
Blade Material: 1.4116 stainless steel
Weight: 1 pound
MSRP: $63
URL: housewares.kaiusa.com
Like its sister company Kershaw Knives, Kai USA produces quality entry-level cutlery for budget-minded users. How? By selecting good materials and manufacturing the finished products in China. But we would’ve guessed they were made stateside; Kai’s knives are that reliable. And the Pro Cleaver is no different. Clean, simple lines belie its comfortability and functionality. It’s an ideal model for home cooks who aspire for pro-style performance without the pro-level prices.
PROS:
- POM handle feels good in hand with a nice balance.
- The blade spine is 4mm (0.16-inch) thick, good for chopping spareribs or tenderizing meat (if you hammer with the blade’s spine).
- Slight blade curvature lends itself to slicing or breaking down whole chicken or turkey.
CONS:
- The robust 1.4116 blade is the same steel used in Swiss Army knives. It has good wear and corrosion resistance but doesn’t hold an edge for long.
- Doesn’t come with a sheath or holder, only a hole in the blade from which to hang it
ONTARIO KNIFE CO. OLD Hickory 76-7” Cleaver
OAL: 11.75 inches
Blade Length: 7 inches
Blade Material: 1095 high-carbon steel
Weight: 10 ounces
MSRP: $20
URL: ontarioknife.com
Started in 1924, Old Hickory exists today as OKC’s line of affordably priced kitchen cutlery — virtually all of them are made of full-tang 1095 high-carbon steel sandwiched by hardwood scales, which are secured with brass compression rivets. Such is the case with this cleaver. It has no flash or fancy features and doesn’t deviate from the basic cleaver design too much, other than being a tad shorter and lighter than most. Made in the USA.
PROS:
- Price — the lower cost means we can spend more on ammo and hunting permits
- Despite the low price, this U.S.-made blade functions well and is pretty sharp out of the package.
- The blade’s 1095 steel is easy to sharpen and has excellent edge retention
CONS:
- Conversely, 1095 will rust easily without proper maintenance.
- No sheath, holder, or carrying case
- At only 10 ounces, it’s a little light for a kitchen chopper.
ESEE Knives Expat Cleaver
OAL: 11.5 inches
Blade Length: 6 inches
Blade Material: 1095 high-carbon steel
Weight: 1.59 pounds
MSRP: $277
URL: eseeknives.com
You might say this looks like regular kitchen cleaver. But that’s like saying the F-35 flies like a regular airplane. The Expat Cleaver is designed to handle whatever you throw at it, whether you’re in the comforts of your own kitchen or in the bowels of a South American jungle. The 3/16-inch 1095 high-carbon steel blade is a workhorse, able to process game or clear a path to your campsite. This is a top-notch survival cleaver if ever there was one. Made in the USA.
PROS:
- Weighing in at 1.59 pounds, it generates bone-splitting momentum.
- The G10 handle scales provide excellent grip and ergonomics.
- Versatile tool that can outperform well beyond the kitchen
- Comes with a quality leather sheath
CONS:
- The strong high-carbon steel blade isn’t stainless and will require care to prevent rusting.
Victorinox Swiss Classic Chinese-Style Chef’s Knife
OAL: 12 inches
Blade Length: 7.25 inches
Blade Material: High-carbon stainless steel
Weight: 7.4 ounces
MSRP: $68
URL: victorinox.com
A Chinese-style cleaver is meant to do more than just hack. For centuries, it’s been used at every step of food prep — from chopping firewood and tenderizing meat to mincing and slicing veggies. Its flat side is also used for shoveling food into the wok. Known for its Swiss Army knives, Victorinox puts its spin on the Chinese blade, resulting in a mid-level cleaver that punches above its weight. It would be a quality upgrade for any home cook who’s been slumming it with $15 choppers.
PROS:
- Sharp enough that it cut through, but didn’t splinter, pork shoulder bones
- Durable, comfortable TPE (plastic) handle
- Blade shape and construction make it versatile in the kitchen
CONS:
- The edge is thinner than we’d like and ended up with a few minor dings after our testing.
- No sheath or holder and no hole to hang it up
Winkler Knives Tactical Cleaver
OAL: 13.25 inches
Blade Length: 7.75 inches
Blade Material: 80CrV2 high-carbon steel
Weight: 1 pound, 12 ounces
MSRP: $650
URL: winklerknives.com
The Tactical Cleaver was designed less for hacking pork loins and more for stopping terrorists. It was developed by knife-maker Daniel Winkler — at the request of a U.S. Army special operations warrior — for combat, breaching, and survival. It has incredible chopping power yet has a long cutting edge, so it doesn’t have to be as accurate as an ax but can slice like a knife. The pick on the back is to probe hard-to-see areas like an overhead shelf. A serious tool for serious tasks. Made in the USA.
PROS:
- Crazy-sharp edge and incredibly strong 80CrV2 blade
- Maple handle with a deer-hide wrap combines comfort with old-school aesthetics
- Well designed, quick-release sheath
- Excellent option for field carry
CONS:
- It’s pricey but, well, you do get what you pay for.
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in Carnivore Magazine Issue 4.
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