The Dm0712 Classic 7-inch Chinese Vegetable Cleaver is a Beautiful and Durable Tool for Preparing Vegetables in the Kitchen
What We Like
- Ebony water-resistant handle
- Perfect for slicing and crushing
- VG MAX steel core
- Perfect balance and precision
- Comfortable grip
- A touch of versatility
What We Don’t Like
- Special skill is required
- Expensive
Bottom Line
The DM0712 Classic 7-inch Chinese Vegetable Cleaver review highlights all the features and benefits of using a vegetable cleaver. It is a great premium knife that is made of high-quality materials.
However, using this knife, like many other cleavers, requires some special skills.
So, if you don’t have any experience using a cleaver, you might need to brush up your skills with some instructional YouTube videos. The price is also on the high side for a single piece of steel blade.
Having one multipurpose knife for everything you cook might appear like a good idea but it isn’t cost-effective in the long run. This because using one knife for everything will reduce its lifespan.
When you have different knives for specific purposes, each one will last for a lifetime. A cleaver knife is what you go for when you want to start exploring unique knives but don’t want one with too many restrictions.
It is a vegetable cleaver that looks just like a meat cleaver so you can use it to cut through soft and boneless meat as well.
The key difference is that it is thinner than a typical meat cleaver and it isn’t exactly designed to be used for everything in the kitchen.
Our DM0712 Classic 7 inch Chinese Cleaver review contains everything you need to know before you purchase one for your kitchen.
Related Reading: Shun DM0718 Classic 7-Inch Knife Review
Features of the DM0712 Classic 7-inch Chinese Vegetable Cleaver
Perfect for Slicing and Crushing
A vegetable cleaver might be a specific purpose knife but this doesn’t mean you can only use it for cutting vegetables. The DM0712 Classic 7-inch Chinese Vegetable Cleaver is has a razor sharp blade.
This makes it perfect for slicing and chopping your vegetables. You can also use the blade to chop, cut or dice soft boneless meat. As long as the meat isn’t too strong, you don’t need to worry about the edges getting brittle or chipped.
The blade of the knife is smooth, wide, and thin. So, you can crush garlic and other ingredients easily when you’re cooking.
The knife is powerful enough to cut through strong vegetables and fruits like cabbages, pineapples, etc.
Perfect Balance and Precision
The DM0712 Classic 7-inch Chinese Cleaver weighs 13.6 ounces. The weight is distributed between the handle and the blade ensuring the perfect balance.
Balance and accuracy are two of the most common factors that propel people into buying a cleaver instead of a regular general-purpose kitchen knife.
The balance also helps you get perfect precision when you’re trying to cut small and juicy foods without messing the entire chopping board up.
The spin of the knife is thin but broad which allows you to cut through root vegetables like yams, potatoes, etc.
This way, you will maintain precision throughout the entire stroke. The knife isn’t going to lose the angle when it goes in deep so you’ll always get a straight cut.
Related Reading: Shun Classic 6-Piece Slim Knife Block Set Review
Ebony Water-Resistant Handle
Like almost every other Shun classic knife, the DM0712 Classic 7-inch Chinese Vegetable Cleaver has a pakkawood handle. Pakkawood is one of the best products for making knife handles.
This is because it doesn’t absorb water even if you try to soak it. Some people wash the knife in a dishwasher but Shun doesn’t encourage dishwashing any of their kitchen knives.
Pakkawood is made of a resin composite. The end product is as strong and durable as oak wood. It is also resistant to bacteria. The handle is comfortable to hold.
You don’t need to use soft gloves or anything else to protect your palms during use. This makes it better than metal handles.
The handle is heavy enough to support the blade but not too heavy to spoil the balance or make you feel uncomfortable. You will maintain your grip throughout the process.
VG-MAX Steel Core
The core of the blade is made of VG MAX, super steel. VG MAX stainless steel is the latest in the VG super steel series. It is rich in all the essential elements that make a knife great.
The high carbon content makes the knife strong and durable. The carbon content is also responsible for the edge retention of the Shun Classic 7 inch Chinese Vegetable Cleaver.
You can use the knife for months and even years without re sharpening it. Stainless steel with high carbon content is typically known for being prone to rust.
However, the case is different for VG-MAX steel because the carbon is buffered by chromium and molybdenum. These two elements are known to prevent rust. So, rusting isn’t going to be a problem with Shun’s cleaver.
Related Reading: Best Kitchen Knives to Buy
Shun DM0712 Classic 7-Inch Chinese Vegetable Cleaver Review The Verdict
The takeaway message from our DM0712 Classic 7-inch Chinese Vegetable Cleaver review is that it is a great option for anyone who wants to try something different in the kitchen.
It is durable, beautiful, and has a touch of versatility since it can be used to slice boneless meat and not just vegetables.
It is important to note that being versatile doesn’t mean you should use the knife for strong meat like you would if you were using a regular heavy cleaver.
If you do this, the edges of the cleaver may start chipping. It might even break if the pressure is too much. The knife is rust and water-resistant so you’ll not likely going to have any problem as long as you use it with care.
If you notice any manufacturer’s defect, you’re entitled to a replacement from Shun. Shun provides a limited lifetime warranty for all their products. Finally, the price of the cleaver is high.
It falls in the $190 – $200 price range which is on the high side, especially if this is your first attempt to buy a vegetable cleaver.
