If you want to embark on the journey of culinary success, then you should have a quality Chinese cleaver in your kitchen.
It is a multipurpose tool that will allow you to cut various food items. From slicing delicate and small vegetables such as garlic to dicing huge chunks of meat, you can achieve any goal in the kitchen.
These knives are frequently used in Chinese homes. Moreover, Sous-chefs across the world keep these cleavers at their disposal. The cleaver helps you excel at all the beginner and advanced cutting skills.
Top 5 Chinese Cleavers at a Glance
- Shi Ba Zi Zuo Chinese Cleaver: Overall Best
- ZWILLING Twin Signature 7-inch Chinese Vegetable Cleaver: Strongest Knife
- KYOKU Samurai Series – 7″ Cleaver Knife: Best for Comfort
- FINDKING Nebula Series Cleaver Knife: Multipurpose Knife
- SEDGE Vegetable Cleaver Knife: Best for Budget
The 5 Best Chinese Cleavers Review
Following are some of the most efficient Chinese cleavers you can find on the market.
1. Shi Ba Zi Zuo Chinese Cleaver
This knife’s stainless steel blade provides you with high durability. The 3-inch layer can help you cut across any ingredients without impacting its structure and the blade.
The material has high carbon content, so the knife is incredibly sharp. You can obtain fine edges on any item that you cut.
The rosewood handle is slip-resistant, and you can smoothly manage the cutting process. The outer portions of the blade also consist of carbon. However, the content is relatively low.
Therefore this cleaver will not corrode and affect the quality and freshness of your ingredients. The blade has several coatings of non-sticking material to prevent the elements from clinging.
Pros
- Sharp blade
- Slip-resistant handle
- Ultra edge blade
- Finger guard
- Non-corrosive
- Easy to handle
- Cuts both vegetables and meat
Cons
- Quite heavy
- Difficult to balance
2. Zwilling Twin Signature Chinese Cleaver
This blade’s razor sharpness and optimal integrity allow you to achieve a professional cutting style. It has maximum edge retention to provide your vegetables and meat a distinct shape.
The edge is inclined at 15°. Therefore if you use this knife skillfully, all the pieces of your ingredient will have identical shapes and sizes.
Moreover, the company has over decades of experience making knives; therefore, all their products have a distinct quality.
The ergonomic and sturdy handle allows you to run it across the component till you touch its tip.
Thus you can effectively balance it on the cutting board. The structural integrity of the blades is sufficient to prevent chip formation.
Pros
- Stainless steel blade
- Razor-sharp
- Versatile cutting angles
Cons
- Maintaining the sharp edges requires practice
- Not quite suitable for beginners
3. Kyoku Samurai Cleaver
The cleaver uses a cryogenically tested blade, allowing it to resist damage and last long.
Adding cobalt enhances the ability to prevent corrosion on the blade, and the cobalt concentration also increases the overall quality of the blade. Moreover, the cleaver allows you to cut through different components smoothly.
The blade handle is well balanced, which helps you cut for longer intervals without feeling any fatigue in your hand.
The handle’s durability is also relatively high; so, it does not become damaged due to environmental changes. Handcrafting is employed to produce the sharp blade, and the different tests and applications on the blade make it more efficient.
Pros
- Easy to handle
- Simple design
- Does not strain the fingers
- Durable blade and handle
- 7” blade
Cons
- May be difficult to grip
4. Findking Nebula Cleaver
This cleaver’s incredible design distinguishes it from the other available knives. The blade has a fishbone pattern carved onto it.
Additionally, the blade is slightly longer than seven inches, making it simpler to cut through large food items.
The handle also has a distinct hexagon shape. It ensures that the user does not experience any strain in the fingers while cutting.
Sycamore is used to manufacture the handle. The wood is known for its endurance to stress.
Aside from that, the blue resin coating allows it to withstand any wear and tear forces. The stainless steel and the highly sharp blades give you the edges and cuts you seek. And the chromium coating reduces any chances of corrosion on the blade.
Pros
- Unique design
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Highly durable
- Corrosion-resistant
- Easy to maintain
Cons
- The handle tip may annoy people with large hands
5. Sedge Chinese Cleaver
This cleaver serves multiple purposes. It has an 8-inch long blade that helps you cut through vegetables, meat, and some types of bones. You can also maneuver it through some fruits and garlic and chop them up.
The manufacturing material for the blade is carbon; therefore, it does not undergo any abrasive damage.
The edges are razor sharp and will provide the exact definition for all the pieces during cutting, slicing, or dicing. The edge angle is 15°, which enables it to form smooth and equal cuts.
The durable handle gives you a steady and firm grip enabling you to chop vegetables or slice tough meat with ease.
The blade’s center is also frosted, allowing it to pass through any component quickly. As a result, the cleaver is highly efficient.
Pros
- Provides an exceptional cutting experience
- Long-lasting blade and handle
- Lifetime warranty
- Ultra-sharp edges
- Multipurpose
- Excellent for left-handed people
Cons
- Beginners cannot instantly master the usage
How to Choose the Best Chinese Cleavers
Following are some factors you should analyze while buying Chinese cleavers.
Blade
The blade of your Chinese cleaver must be exceptionally sharp and have an edge angle of 15 to 17 degrees. This is because it is much easier to get lean and defined cuts at these angles.
It would also help if the blade is made of carbon or stainless steel with coatings of non-sticky materials. In addition to that, the blade should resist corrosion and serve multiple purposes to suit your culinary requirements.
Handle
The ideal Chinese cleaver should have a wooden handle. It would also help if you do not opt for thick handles because they can quickly cause fatigue to your fingers. If you are a sous-chef, you should pay attention to the handle material.
Rosewood is more suitable; however, any durable wood will also suffice. Moreover, a finger guard on the handle will help you cut deep through the ingredients without sustaining injuries.
Resin Coats
The resin coating on the handle will allow you to handle the cleaver easily. As a result, it will enhance your grip on the knife and prevent your fingers from slipping. You can also use such types of Chinese cleavers for cutting light bones.
FAQs
Q1. How do I store my Chinese cleaver?
The storage requirements of your Chinese cleaver will depend upon the product you choose. The higher the cleaver’s quality, the simpler the storage methods will be.
Nevertheless, once you have used the blade, wash it and let it dry. If possible, you can keep it in a drawer when it dries completely.
Some cleavers also have protective sheaths, so you can wrap your blade after every use. Furthermore, you must ensure that the storage space does not have a lot of moisture because it can damage the cleaver.
Q2. How can I enhance the sharpness of the cleaver blade?
If you select a high-quality cleaver, you do not have to worry about constantly sharpening it. However, if you like to do the job, you can regularly use a sharpening stone.
These are pretty easy to operate. However, if your knife becomes dull and you don’t feel equipped to sharpen it, you can ask a professional for assistance.
Conclusion
So there you have it – our top five picks for the best Chinese cleavers. We hope this article will help you in your quest to find the perfect knife for your needs.
Chinese cleavers are helpful especially if you know how to use them. Still, if you are a beginner, getting one of the cleavers reviewed above will give you a smooth cutting experience.
It would be beneficial for you to practice using these cleavers so that you can learn how to use them effectively.
