The Chinese cleaver is one of the most interesting equipment in the kitchen. Perhaps it’s the way Chinese cooks use it with such speed and accuracy that makes it look like a really great piece of cutlery. Their swift movements make you want to copy them and try it on your ingredients as well as if you are a true pro.
Seeing these experts wield their trusty Chinese cleaver will make you want to own one. It really is a nifty equipment that you shouldn’t go without as it can make chopping ingredients a lot easier. But there are so many of them out there and they look all similar that it can be difficult to choose just one.
This article will help you figure out what you need and prefer in a Chinese cleaver and choose the one that suits your needs.
Quick Comparison: Top Chinese Cleaver 2019
| Product | Quality | Price | Our Rating |
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| A | $$$ | ||
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| B | $$ |
**Below, you’ll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
What Is A Chinese Cleaver
What exactly is a Chinese cleaver? It is a piece of cutlery that originated from ancient China. It comes with a really wide and thin blade that distinguishes it from other kinds of cutlery.
What’s great about Chinese cleavers is that they are often used for every cutting task in Chinese kitchens. It can be used for chopping meat, cutting bone, vegetables, and sometimes even peeling fruit.
Needless to say, a Chinese cleaver is one of the most versatile pieces of cutlery in the culinary world and one you should definitely have in your kitchen.
What Are The Benefits Of Using A Cleaver
Perhaps the main benefit of using a Chinese cleaver is the fact that it serves multiple purposes, that’s why it can serve as the only knife in most Chinese people’s kitchens.
The most obvious benefit to using a cleaver is that it can help you cut large chunks of meat with just a swoosh of a knife or two. It’s large size and above average weight allows for seamless chopping and cutting of all kinds of ingredients, especially harder and bigger ones.
Another benefit of Chinese cleavers is that you can use them to scoop up all of the ingredients that you have cut, therefore adding speed and efficiency to the overall cooking process.
Some Chinese cleavers come with handles that can even be used to tenderize meat and to grind herbs and spices.
The Chinese cleaver’s design allows it to become an extremely versatile kitchen tool. If you’re a creative cook, I’m sure you can even think of new ways to use it in the kitchen.
How To Choose A Cleaver
The key to finding the best cleaver for your home is getting familiar with the different factors that make a good cleaver.
Cleavers don’t really come with complex features, but subtle changes in the factors I’m about to mention below can significantly affect its overall use.
Design
One significant factor that you should always consider before you choose a cleaver is its overall design. Although cleavers come with a distinct blade shape, not all cleavers come in the same size.
Before you choose a cleaver that you wish to take home, make sure that it is big enough to help you cut through the ingredients you wish to use it on. If you were to use it for chopping through meats with bones, I suggest getting one with a large blade for added weight. Otherwise, you should just get an average-sized cleaver that will help you get normal cutting tasks done with ease.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics refers to the overall effectiveness of a product’s design once used for application. When it comes to choosing the right cleaver for your home, I suggest looking for a cleaver with easy-to-grip handles. The handle design of a cleaver is a very significant aspect because it determines the overall handling of the product itself.
Most Chinese cleavers come with wooden handles. Although it may look more authentic, I suggest going with cleavers that come with a metal handle instead for added balance and durability.
Material
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Though Chinese cleavers are made with steel, do not get fooled into thinking that they are all made from the same kind of metal.
Chinese cleavers can be made with stainless steel, food grade steel, and carbon steel. Though all of these metals work well for cutting, assuming that they are well maintained, I would like to recommend going with a cleaver that comes with a nice carbon steel blade. Carbon steel tends to be really durable, a factor that is essential for cutting hard vegetables and meat with bones.
Weight
Chinese cleavers are often used for chopping vegetables and meat. One factor that you should look out for to effectively carry out your cutting and chopping needs is weight.
If you choose a Chinese cleaver that is lightweight, you will have more difficulty chopping through dense and hard ingredients. This is why I suggest getting a rather heavy cleaver that will help you lessen the force you have to put into cutting your food.
Be careful though, heavy pieces of cutlery can become more hazardous since they can inflict serious damage if they happen to fall off the counter. Keep them away from the reach of children.
Others
Other less important, but convenient, factors that you should look out for before you get a Chinese cleaver of your own are the small things that can make using the product easier. This could mean going with a cleaver that comes with a hole for hanging or a cleaver that is completely dishwasher-safe.
The Best Chinese Cleavers You Can Buy Online
Find out more details about each product below. If you are looking for a Chinese cleaver that is made with quality materials, but won’t break the bank, this 7-inch Wusthof classic Chinese cleaver may be the best choice for you. This cleaver has been forged from a single piece of tempered high carbon steel, making it completely durable and long-lasting. Because of this feature, you will be able to use this cleaver to effectively cut through dense and hard ingredients such as thick vegetables and pork bones. Another great thing about this cleaver is that it comes with a full tang handle that feature triple rivets that make it easier to grip even when your hands are all greasy from cooking. Its handles also come with a hygienic fit that makes it great for all hand sizes. What’s more is that this product comes with a lifetime warranty, a very handy feature that you can rely on if any issues ever arise like when the blade snaps or when the handle happens to get detached from the blade. Pros Cons This Winco 8-inch Chinese cleaver is probably the most authentic-looking one in this list. If you are looking for a Chinese cleaver that looks as if it was made or bought in mainland China, this product is the perfect choice for you. What I like about this product is its extremely authentic-looking design. It comes with a nice wooden handle for an added rustic look that is paired with an 8-inch blade that even has Chinese character engraved on one side. Aside from its design, another great thing about this product is its overall durability. It comes with rust-resistant stainless steel that would lessen your worries when it comes to maintenance and storing. This product is also quite easy to clean since it is completely dishwasher safe. Another great thing about this product is its 5-inch wooden handle that doesn’t only make it look like an authentic piece but makes it quite easy to maneuver as well. The handle comes with a highly ergonomic design that makes it easy to grip. However, it’s 5-inch length may not be ideal for people with bigger hands. This product also comes with a decent weight. You can easily use it to cut through thick bones and dense vegetables without having to worry about breaking the blade or causing it to detach from the handle. Pros Cons If you are looking for a classic looking cleaver that can easily be paired with other utensils in your kitchen, this 7-inch stainless steel cleaver from Utopia kitchen may be the best choice for you. What I like about this cleaver is that it comes with 100% stainless steel. It is extremely heavy duty and is quite easy to maintain. You don’t even have to worry about placing it in a drawer full of other utensils because it doesn’t easily get dull. Its durable material also allows it to become an ideal tool for cutting through hard bone. This cleaver can be a great butcher knife or a chopping knife for large cuts of vegetables and meat. Heck, you can even cut a whole chicken in half with just 2 swift motions. Another great thing about this cleaver is its handle. It comes with an ABS+430 handle that will allow you to grip it and maneuver it with ease. It also does a great job at holding the large blade. No matter how hard the ingredient you are trying to cut is, you won’t have to worry about exacting too much force on the cleaver itself. Pros Cons Another authentic-looking piece I have included in this list is the Traditional 8-inch Chinese cleaver. This cleaver comes with a great design that will make you feel proud to hold it in front of your guests. In fact, this knife might even want to make you cook in front of your guests because it really looks cool. What’s great about this Chinese cleaver is its carbon steel build. It comes with an 8-inch carbon steel blade that is so durable, you can cut through a thick piece of bone with just one swift motion. It also has a decent weight to it since it comes at 12-ounces. Aside from cutting thick pieces of bone, this cleaver is also ideal for quickly chopping long pieces of vegetables because of its lengthy blade. With this cleaver at your disposal, you will be able to quickly cut lengthy strips of food in a short amount of time. Pros Cons If you are looking for a Chinese cleaver that is made with quality materials, but won’t break the bank, this 7-inch Wusthof classic Chinese cleaver may be the best choice for you. This cleaver has been forged from a single piece of tempered high carbon steel, making it completely durable and long lasting. Because of this feature, you will be able to use this cleaver to effectively cut through dense and hard ingredients such as thick vegetables and pork bones. Another great thing about this cleaver is that it comes with a full tang handle that features triple rivets that make it easier to grip even when your hands are all greasy from cooking. Its handles also come with a hygienic fit that makes it great for all hand sizes. What’s more is that this product comes with a lifetime warranty, a very handy feature that you can rely on if any issues ever arise like when the blade snaps or when the handle happens to get detached from the blade. Perhaps the only downside to this product is that its handles don’t really look attractive at all. Its handles are made with hard plastic that can easily get scratched or damaged when not handled with uttermost care. Pros Cons It’s difficult to choose the best Chinese cleaver from all our options, but with everything taken into account we’ve decided the Winco just tops the pile for its authentic appearance and non-corrosive design. More serious home cooks and professional chefs should consider investing in the Wusthof Classic 7-Inch New Forged Chinese Cleaver. It is an expensive knife, for sure, but it is one of the best because of its quality materials and excellent craftsmanship. This is something you will be able to rely on in your kitchen for a long time. Want to feel like a real chef? Go for the Winco 8-inch Heavy Duty Chinese Cleaver. The design of this cleaver is so similar to the authentic ones used by chefs in China but actually comes with a modest price tag. It is a good entry-level cleaver for people who just want something with a good quality that won’t bust the bank. The Utopia Kitchen 7-inch Stainless Steel Chopper Cleaver is great for people who don’t like their cleaver too heavy but don’t want it to be too light as well. It is somewhere in the middle, which is great if you are looking for a reliable knife in your kitchen. If you want something that looks like something you bought from China, the Traditional 8-inch Chinese Chefs Knife with Wooden Handle won’t disappoint you. The handle is unique and the over-all weight and feel of the blade are just right for your daily chopping needs in the kitchen. The Top Chef by Master Cutlery 7” Cleaver is a more modern-looking cleaver with low-fuss plastic handles and steel blades. It’s great for people who just want something that has straightforward and low-maintenance features. Be sure to head to our homepage to discover what else you can buy to make cooking in the kitchen a lot easier and more efficient. The key is in the right tools, so check out our buying guides and product reviews.
1. Wusthof Classic 7-inch New Forged Chinese Cleaver
2. Winco 8-inch Heavy Duty Chinese Cleaver
3. Utopia Kitchen 7-inch Stainless Steel Chopper Cleaver
4. Traditional 8-inch Chinese Chefs Knife with Wooden Handle
5. Top Chef by Master Cutlery 7″ Cleaver
Which One Should You Get?
What to Do Next?
