7 Best Cleaver Knife Review [Strongest Japanese✅Cleaver Ever]
(Last Updated On: October 18, 2020)
For jobs like quartering a whole chicken, or chopping duck meat or making a perfect beef steak, a razor-sharp cleaver is always expected. Both for home and professional kitchens, this utensil cannot simply be ignored. Moreover, a cleaver is supposed to serve more than its specific service. Maybe hacking off pieces from the larger animals is its easy job but another chopping, dicing, slicing of veggies can also be done by a cleaver.
So, let’s give you a list of the best Japanese cleaver that are reigning the recent market for their distinctive features and efficiency. Along with the list of the best cleaver, we will give you reviews about each of them in a convenient way so that you can choose your one easily.
list of Best Cleaver in the Market
- Yoshihiro Inox Vegetable Cleaver
- Shun Classic Cleaver
- Wusthof Gourmet Cleaver
- Dalstrong Gladiator Series R- Obliterator Meat Cleaver
- Zwilling J.A. Henckels TWIN Signature Cleaver
- Kamikoto Chuka Bocho Cleaver
- Imarku Cleaver Knife
Among all the typical arsenals a chef must use, a meat cleaver will definitely be founded. The cleaver having sturdy handle with hefty blade makes easy chopping the bones with meat. Suiting to several arm strengths there are many types and sizes of cleavers in the market. Though cleavers are manufactured ensuring long durability, still there are some top ones those are empowering the market.
Quick Comparison Between 7 Best Cleaver Knife
Take a look of the given comparison table and detailed reviews and let us know which one touched your heart.
| Name of the Cleaver | Weight | Blade Size | Blade | Handle | Tang |
| 1. Yoshihiro Inox Vegetable Cleaver | – | 8.5” | Aus-8 High Carbon Stainless Steel | Pakkawood | Full |
| 2. Shun Classic Cleaver | 13.6 ounces | 7” | VG-MAX High Carbon Shun Super Stainless Steel | Ebony Pakkawood | Full |
| 3. Wusthof Gourmet Cleaver | 1.88 ounces | 7” | High Carbon German No Stain Steel | Pakkawood | Full |
| 4. Dalstrong Gladiator Series R- Obliterator Meat Cleaver | 2.9lbs | 9” | cr17mov High Carbon Stainless Steel | Pakkawood | Full |
| 5. Zwilling J.A. Henckels TWIN Signature Cleaver | 10 ounces | 7” | Ice Hardened Friodur Stainless Steel | Polymer | Full |
| 6. Kamikoto Chuka Bocho Cleaver | 3.29 ounces | 7.5” | High Carbon Stainless Steel | – | Full |
| 7. Imarku Cleaver Knife | 13.1 ounces | 7” | High Carbon Imported German Super Steel | Pakkawood | Full |
Best Cleaver Knife Review in Detail
1. Yoshihiro Inox Chinese Cleaver Vegetable Cutter Multipurpose Chef Knife
This inoxydable Chinese cleaver is an all-purpose kitchen utensil. The blade of the knife is extremely thin and processed with a high carbon stainless steel with Inox grade. The knife is forged with unique design ensuring comfort on grip. 
The knife is manufactured considering its multipurpose uses like chopping of larger vegetables or mincing of herbs and fabricating of the poultry. This Knife offers sharpness that is perfect for any preparation of meat meal. Though cutting through the bone with this cleaver is not suggested at all.
Major Features
- Comes with a blade length of 8.5 inches
- Blade is forged with Inox Aus-8 high carbon stainless steel
- Handle is made of Pakkawood
- Comes with the edge retention of sixty degrees HRC
- Blade come with double edge
- Comes with a color of black and silver
- Comes with three rivets on the handle
Pros
- Suitable for cutting any smaller to larger veggies
- Suitable for meat cleaver
- Scalpel like sharpness at the edge
- Easy to handle
- Offers seamless cutting
- Big in size yet easy on grip
- Comes with premium features
- Lasts long and full tang
Cons
- Not suggested for bone cutting
- Needs hand wash every time
- Have to be careful while using
Knife Speciality
The most special thing about Yoshihiro Inox Chinese Cleaver is that, it is totally a handcrafted product. Thus, a simple task done by this cleaver is elevated drastically. In spite of its handmade craftsmanship, they did not fail to feature it with premium styles handle and blade. The blade material of this knife is considered as the powerhouse of the stain-resistant steel.
Bottom Line
This Chinese knife is a piece of art that is made with traditional pride. Thus, using this knife can give you the level of satisfaction you have always wanted in your kitchen.
2. Shun Classic Cleaver Knife Review
This Japanese handcrafted cleaver is a massive Shun product ever! The whole name of this cleaver says all about it. The whole knife is a premium and upgraded versions of all-time cleavers of Shun. From the tip of the blade to the end cap of the handle you will see all the luxurious materials infused into making it.
The blade is squared and wide enough with appealing design on it. With the increasing of all the chemical radicals the blade is possessed with the steel of VG-Max cutting core. All the portion of the blade is used in several purposes. The Ebony Pakkawood material used for the handle is way too useful.
Major Features
- Comes with a length of 7 inch blade
- Arrives with a weight of 13.6 ounces
- Comes with VG-MAX cutting core and high carbon Shun Super steel
- The blade comes with sixteen degree double bevel
- Comes with a D shaped Pakkawood handle
- A round end cap on the handle
- Comes with black and silver color
- Manufactured with premium features
Pros
- Suitable for cutting of all size vegetables and herbs
- Suitable for boneless meat cutting purpose
- Western-style Damascus design on the surface of the blade
- The surface is utilized for the crushing of ginger and garlic cloves
- Delivers precise cutting of smaller herbs
- Handle is water-resistant
- Sharp edge and durable enough
Cons
- Not suggested for cutting through bones
- Needs hand wash
- Needs proper storage and careful treatment
Knife Speciality
The whole knife is internally structured with high-end materials. The Shun super steel is used for its blade. The knife is sharpened with hand and given double bevel of 16 degree. D type shape is given to the handle of this cleaver so that it goes with the curly finger comfortably. The handle is grazed with resin that gives long durability to it resisting the water.
Bottom Line
Overall the Shun Classic 7 inch cleaver is an ideal and genuine kitchen utensil. It would be a great idea if you choose this cleaver as a gift purpose to your favorite ones or to yourself.
3. Wusthof Gourmet Cleaver Knife Review
This massive cleaver is famous for its blunt blade that is manufactured for bone cutting purposes. It has a hatchet like feature. The blade is thick, blunt and heavy and quite perfect for processing chickens or any larger animals.
The Wusthof Gourmet cleaver is no a child’s thing to play. The whole cleaver requires a certain amount of arm length to work on. Butchering of carcasses is easy with this beast but cutting of normal veggies or precision of smaller herbs with this weapon is not suggested at all.
Major Features
- Comes with a weight of 1.88 ounces
- Blade length is 7 inch
- The blade is processed with high carbon German steel
- The handle has three rivets on it
- Comes with a black hole on the upper side of the blade
- A bit curvy upwardly to the opposite of the edge of the blade
Pros
- Suitable for any type of meat cutting
- Cuts through bones uniformly
- The blade is thick and blunt
- Handle offers easy grip
- Processing of chicken, goats, ducks are easy
- Lasts long
Cons
- Can only be used for limited purposes
- Not suitable for precise cutting of herbs and veggies
- Needs proper hand washing
- Needs proper drying and storage
Knife Speciality
The Wusthof Gourmet cleaver is unique from all the Wusthof knives. It has a different and unparalleled appearance. The edge of the knife is laser tested that delivers a seamless and uniform cutting. The knife is suggested only for butchering purpose and this knife is mastered in this job.
Bottom Line
This cleaver is used only for processing and butchering of it and it is good at its job. It may seem to you useless when you don’t have any carcasses to heck off but still when you have one you surely would choose this one.
4. DALSRONG Gladiator Series Meat Cleaver Review
This Dalstrong Gladiator cleaver is a mega beast solving to all the cutting problems. From pork muscle to the tough-skinned fruit this savage instrument works like magic. The appearance of this cleaver can tell its overall high end internal and external features. 
The blade of this cleaver is unusual both in feature and efficiency. Its evil sharp of the edge has sixty degrees Rockwell hardness scale. The blade has unique design and forged with premium quality high carbon no stain steel. The Pakkawood handle is engineered to the knife in a very convenient way.
Major Features
- Comes with a blade length of 9 inches
- Comes with a weight of 2.9lbs
- Blade is forged with 7cr17mov high carbon stain-resistant steel
- Manufactured with a Pakkawood handle
- Edge is sharpened with to 16 to 18-degree angle
- Featured with 60 degrees HRC edge retention
- Handle has three rivets
Pros
- Suitable for meat, veggies and fruit cutting
- Featured with a tapered design
- Satin finish with hand polishing
- Comfortable in grip and full tang
- Well balanced, flexible and perfect edge retention
- Forged and tempered precisely
- Long durability and razor-sharp edge
- Attractive in appearance
- Comes with a sheath
Cons
- Needs hand wash every time
- Needs to be careful while using
Knife Speciality
Everything about this knife is exceptional, beautiful and special. It is huge and gives a monster type gesture. This Dalstrong Gladiator Cleaver is structured internally with high-end materials ensuring peak performance. The blade is forged with special kind of no-stain steel and the handle also offers knuckles guard service.
Bottom Line
This cleaver is the ultimate kitchen sword. With its savage and crude proficiency, the cleaver can shatter any culinary obstacles. With its 100 percent satisfaction or money back warranty, this cleaver is highly recommended.
5. Zwilling J.A. Henckels TWIN Signature Chinese CLeaver Review
The German-made Zwilling J.A. Henckels TWIN Signature cleaver would be another good decision if you want to buy. This cleaver does not have a blade that is too heavy, blunt and thick. Yet this cleaver has a thin blade with lightweight.
Though some has reviewed with its disappointing ergonomics, yet this knife stands by a top position as the best cleaver. The cleaver has a traditional look and great for cutting sushi rolls.
Major features
- Comes with a weight of 10 ounces
- Featured with 7” long blade
- Blade is forged with ice-hardened Friodur
- manufactured with Polymer handle
- Possessed with three traditional three rivets
- Comes with a Zwilling J.A. Henckels logo on the blade surface
- Comes with 15-degree edge angle
- Featured with 57 HRC edge retention
Pros
- Suitable for cutting any veggies and boneless meats
- Edge is super sharpened and goes through flesh easily
- Handle is ergonomic
- Full tang and well balanced
- Blade is processed with stain-free steel
- Premium quality feature and edge retention
- Can be used dishwasher for the cleaning
Cons
- Have to be careful for bone cutting purpose
- Doesn’t come with a sheath
Knife Speciality
This cleaver has a traditional look. Unlike other cleavers Zwilling J.A. Henckels offers dishwashing for its cleaning. Moreover, its blade is engineered with premium expertise with the ice-hardened Friodur process.
Bottom Line
As it is not meat cleaver it does not help much with the larger bone meats. But surely with smaller ones it will help you a lot along with every other cutting purpose in the kitchen. So, it is obviously buy worth.
6. Kamikoto Chuka Bocho Cleaver Review
The Kamikoto Chuka Bocho Cleaver is something that is the ultimate out of the box product. This Japanese product is featured with off bit and high-end materials. Unlike other cleavers, this cleaver has blade that is neither thick nor heavy.
With high-grade stain-free steel from the Honshu, Japan the cleaver offers corrosion and rusty free long durability. The handle is also ergonomic and gives secure grip protecting the knuckles.
Major Features
- Comes with a weight of 3.29 ounces
- Manufactured with 7.5” inch cutting edge
- Comes with a round end cap
- Featured with caliber of Kamikoto
- Comes with a wood box for storage
- Manufactured with black and silver color
Pros
- Suitable for mincing, dicing, cutting, chopping and slicing of any veggies
- Has scalpel like sharpness
- Handle is slipping resistant
- Blade is stainless and processed under various test
- Well balanced and flexible
- Easy on grip
- Engineered not like a typical cleaver
- Has a storage box
Cons
- Not suitable for obliterating bony meat
- Needs proper care
Knife Speciality
With limited warranty the Kamikoto Chuka Bocho Cleaver is something else. The whole cleaver is engineered and manufactured differently with immense thought. The knife has unique versatility and high end features. With a Kamikoto logo on the surface of the blade this cleaver is now the new craze in the market.
Bottom Line
With a five star rating this cleaver has created its own niche through its versatility. If as a pro chef you want some change in your cleaver utensils buy this one.
7. Imarku Cleaver Knife Review
Imarku Cleaver is another multipurpose cleaver can be used for multitasks. The cleaver has a typical look, yet appeared in a graceful way. The cleaver is engineered thoughtfully ensuring all the comfort and convenience. 
With a satisfied balance between the blade and the handle this cleaver also holds position as the best cleaver ever. This cleaver has blades imported from Germany that is high carbon no-stain steel and the Pakkawood handle is also water-resistant.
Major Features
- Comes with a weight of 13.1 ounces
- Blade has a legth of 7 inch
- Blade is forged with imported Germany high carbon no stain steel
- Comes with 60+ HRC edge retention
- Handle is manufactured with Pakkawood
- Featured with a hole on the top surface of the blade
- Comes with a box
Pros
- The blade is imported and high end
- Cuts every edible thing in the kitchen
- High edge retention
- Balanced well and lasts long
- Handle offers easy grip
- Rusty free and corrosion-resistant blade
- Razor-sharp edge
- Comes with a storage box
- Easy to handle
Cons
- Have to be careful with larger boning purpose
- Needs proper cleaning and drying
Knife Speciality
The knife is manufactured in a way that it ensures easy cleaver of any rough flesh with one smooth stroke. The cleaver delivers uniform and rhythmical cutting. The imported blade and Pakkawood handle are the proofs of its high end structure both internally and externally.
Bottom Line
With complete satisfaction of money back guaranty this cleaver is worth giving a shot. This cleaver gives you a budget-friendly vibe and also a smart solution for cutting purposes.
FAQ’s on Best Cleaver Knives
1. Why should one buy a cleaver knife?
Well, there are many arrays of knives we see in a kitchen or a restaurant. Among them a cleaver should be one. Different knives serve different purposes. In that case, it takes a lot of time to prepare a meal. But a cleaver is a multitasking utensil. You barely have to touch another cutting instrument if you own a cleaver. A cleaver works nimbly and uniformly, thus, preparing a meal gets an easier job to do with it.
From mincing herbs to obliterate pork a cleaver is the best choice any chef can make. Thus, buying a cleaver would not be a loss project.
2. Does a cleaver stroke through every kind of meat bones?
Basically it depends on the cleaver type. Not every cleaver is meat clever. There are cleavers those are only meant for mincing herbs and cutting large rooted vegetables. These cleavers are not suggested to obliterate rough-skinned and boned muscle. But smaller bony meats can be cut with these cleavers.
On the other hand, for a good meat cleaver one stroke is enough for your smooth cutting pieces of any hard bony meats.
3. How can one take care of these massive cleavers?
As the cleavers are made of high-quality materials they offer the longest durability after buying. But proper care of these cleavers will help using these generations after generations. Most of the cleavers require hand washing because dishwasher may cause the blade gets rusty soon.
Again, if you do not dry your cleaver after washing it may also cause the fatigue of the handle. A cleaver usually has evil sharpness thus, for the beginners choosing this equipment might not be a good decision.
Wrap Up
A good cleaver is bought considering its blade length, thickness, weight, edge retention and some other points. Chopping of meats requires countless time if it is not being done with a cleaver. Thus, from the above-reviewed cleavers, you can choose one for yourself. Different cleaver will satisfy you in different ways. Hence, you get to decide which one matches your comfort zone.
So, buy any one of the given list and let us know how much fun you are getting through using it. Also, do not forget, greater things last long with greater care so, take the best care of your favorite cleaver.