Chinese cleavers are truly amazing kitchen tool. While they look like butchering knives, they have many versatile uses that range beyond just cutting meat. The design of Chinese cleavers allows you to effortlessly cut through anything with relative ease.
Chinese cleavers, also known as Chinese chef knives, are perfect for chopping herbs and other ingredients into uniform sizes. Whether you’re preparing a fine shrimp stir-fry, or cutting pork for a summer dim sum platter, you can rely on these tools to execute delicate herb mincing tasks without crushing the product.
Let’s jump into see Best Chinese Cleavers in the market today.
6 Best Chinese Cleavers in 2021 –
List of 6 best Chinese cleavers in 2021
- Mercer 8 inch
- Shun Classic 7 Inch Cleaver
- Zwilling J.A. Henckels 7 Inch
- ZHEN Japanese VG-10 3 Layers 8 Inch
- TUO 7 Inch Cleaver- Chinese Chef’s Knife
- Winco Blade 8 Inch Chinese Cleaver
Mercer Cutlery 8 inch:
Mercer has made the perfect knife for all chefs, this knife is just as useful in the home as it is in professional kitchens.
The 8 Inch Chinese Cleaver / Chef’s Knife has a high-carbon, stain-free blade made from Japanese steel that’s perfect for preparing meals with precision and ease.
Japanese steel is more than meets the eye. Less than 2% of the steel in the entire world is Japanese, but it’s known for its ability to hold an edge while remaining stain-free. This Mercer chef’s knife is made of Japanese steel.
Meanwhile, each knife has a carbon-infused blade that holds its edge for longer than any other steel in the world, so you can continue to chop your way through vegetables and proteins without making too many trips to the sharpener.
If you’re looking for a new knife that can easily chop, slice, mince, dice, or fillet without losing any of the flavor of your ingredients, then this is the one to get.
Lastly, the triple-riveted rosewood handle is easy to grip and reduces the risk of slipping when wet.
Pros
- High Carbon Stainless Steel
- Triple Riveted Rosewood Handle
- Uses Japanese steel
- Durable and Long lasting tool
Cons
- Slightly heavy
Shun Classic 7 Inch Cleaver:
Shun’s Classic Chinese Cleaver can slice through any vegetables or ingredients with ease — and its razor-sharp edge makes the process effortless.
A razor sharp edge means it can cut through even the toughest ingredient, making it a perfect addition to any kitchen.
The 7 inch cleaver has a Blade with a VG-MAX cutting core for natural sharpness and edge retention. But it’s also designed to be nimble enough for quick, efficient dicing.
Made from a combination of molybdenum and vanadium, the knife features a Damascus steel pattern on its blade that can hold a sharp edge longer than your average blade.
Moreover, the cleaver has a comfortable and ergonomic D-shaped ebony Pakkawood handle that enhances grip and comfort. You can cook ingredients right alongside your main dish without worrying about cutting yourself.
The versatility of this knife makes it a favourite among professionals and foodies. Whether you use it to chop vegetables or to butcher meat, it gives you an excellent control and grip, so you can work for hours without feeling fatigue.
Check out our article on Shun vs Global Knives
Pros
- Razor Sharp Edges
- VG Max Steel core
- D shaped handle makes the grip easier
- You can work for hours with this knife
Cons
- Fragile knife
- Not works well on bones
Zwilling J.A. Henckels 7 Inch:
Zwilling J.A Henckels 7-inch Chinese Chef Knife is for those who prefer a hefty knife with a classic shape and cutting edge. Each Henckels knife is handcrafted in Germany by skilled artisans, using techniques passed down over generations.
Zwilling merges tradition with contemporary aesthetics and functionality. The 7-inch Knife has an ice-hardened blade that stays sharp for longer than many kitchen knives, before it requires re-sharpening.
While the 15 degree angle on each side still performs delicate tasks, yet it is strong enough to cut through meat, fish, vegetables, and more.
The polymer ergonomic handle provides balance and control during use, while the full tang ensures it can be used in any situation or environment. In addition with an overall length of just 15 inches, it can be stored easily in your kitchen drawer without taking up much space.
In my eyes, it is certainly the best Chinese cleaver in the market today.
Pros
- Ice hardened Blade that stays sharper for longer
- Provides accurate balance and control
- Strong enough to cut through meat
- You can easily store it in your drawer
- Doesn’t require re sharpening more often
- Has our Approval
Cons
- May start to rust after 1 year
- Extra Care needed
- Poor customer service
- Expensive Knife as compared to others
ZHEN Japanese VG-10 3 Layers 8 Inch:
The Zhen Japanese VG-10 Chinese 8″ Cleavers are forged with three layers of high carbon steel, giving it a strong cutting edge that will remain extremely sharp for years.
Its fully forged, high carbon steel blade is hand ground and sharpened using the traditional drop-forging method, creating a blade that’s perfectly balanced for chefs as well as home cooks.
Zhen’s VG-10 Chinese Cleaver is the perfect tool for chopping meats, fish, and vegetables — and it’s great for making sushi and dicing vegetables and other ingredients. Additionally, it is perfect for anyone looking to create Asian style stir fries and vegetable dishes.
With a full tang handle and non-slip grip this cleaver is easy to use — and keeps you safe during the process.
Zhen has been crafting knives for three decades and has a reputation for exceptional quality, lasting sharpness, and precision engineering. Only premium grade steel is used in production, with each knife being subjected to rigorous quality control tests so you can enjoy a slice of cutting-edge kitchenware from Zhen.
Pros
- Uses Premium grade steel
- Non slip Grip
- Perfect to make Asian style stir fries
- Precise weight for cutting
- Uses VG 10 Steel
Cons
- May Find difficult to cut bones
TUO 7 inch Chinese Cleaver:
TUO Chinese Cleaver is handmade in China with steel imported from Germany. Its curved blade is great for cutting up vegetables, while the sharp tip makes mincing meat quite simple. The thick mid-part of the blade can be used to cut thick objects like roots and branches.
TUO’s 7 inch Chinese Cleaver was built for the needs of a modern kitchen, an ideal knife for home cooks. The blade is made from high carbon German steel (X50CrMoV15), tempered for edge retention and ease of sharpening — with a high-tech vacuum heat treatment that gives each edge a sharpness of 18 degrees per side.
TUO 7-inch Chinese Cleaver has both sleek style and practical design, which are just as evident in the quality of its cutting capabilities, it can help you prepare everything without having to switch between different knives.
Meanwhile, the handle maintains its flexibility thanks to its waterproof and anti-slip pakkawood finish.
Related: Tuo Knives Review
Pros
- High Carbon Steel (X50CrMoV15)
- Totally unique in its shape
- Sleek and stylish design
- High Vacuum heat treatment
- You don’t need to switch between different knives while using it
Cons
- Too heavy to cut vegetables
- Not durable enough
Winco Blade 8 Inch Chinese Cleaver:
Winco Blade 8 Inch Chinese Cleaver – High Carbon Stainless Steel is the best kitchen tool you can have. The 8-inch blade evenly cuts through everything you can throw at it. It’s sharp yet durable, and can handle just about any preparation task in the kitchen.
The Cleaver is ideal for large servings of vegetables or meats. The blade may seem intimidating, but the rugged design guarantees a powerful cut. It easily cuts through any food item and is great for cutting vegetables, meat, and bones (not recommended).
The large rectangular blade was designed specifically for chopping vegetables, a task that it performs beautifully. When cutting thin ingredients like onions or carrots, be sure to work slowly to avoid bruising or tearing the food.
Aside from its incredible sharpness, it features a solid handle that gives customers a comfortable feel while they work. With a price tag of less than $20 dollars, this tool costs far less than other similar products on the market.
Pros
- High Carbon Steel
- Cuts through Vegetables and meat with ease
- Comes with a reasonable amount
- Incredible sharpness
Cons
- Handle is too small for most people
- Some people will find it heavy
Our Top Pick:
Zwilling J.A. Henckels 7-Inch Chinese Cleaver is our top pick. It has a strong blade that cuts through even the toughest food with minimal effort, and the handle’s ergonomic design makes it easy to wield. Its quality design makes it an excellent addition to any kitchen, whether it’s in the hands of a professional or a beginner chef.
The Cleaver may be a little pricey, but its strong cuts and ability to prepare any meal you desire make up for the high price.
Also Check out Our Article on Best Steak Knives
Difference between Japanese Kitchen Knife, German Kitchen Knife and Chinese Cleaver:
The difference between Japanese knives and German knives is that the former are sharper than the latter, which makes them ideal for Finer, More delicate work. They are thinner and lighter than their German counterparts.
Whereas, Chinese cleavers are thicker and heavier than both Japanese and German knives. They are known to be the all-in-one of kitchen knives, with a wide blade that can be used to chop through meat, bones, and vegetables alike.
Japanese Kitchen Knives:
Japanese knives are well-balanced and made of high carbon steel, which makes them the best for delicate work. They are made using the traditional Japanese methods, with high-quality steel, and are often used for slicing and dicing.
Check out our article on Nakiri vs Santoku
Germans Kitchen Knives:
German knives are thicker and heavier, but can take more force, making them great for tougher jobs. Because German knives have thicker blades that result in more stability.
They are made using modern methods, with low-quality steel, and are often heavyweight tools used in kitchens all over the world.
Chinese Cleaver:
However, Chinese Cleavers are multipurpose. Chinese Cleaver is what you need for almost anything — they are easy to use, have an ergonomic shape that improves grip, and can be used for chopping, mincing, dicing, or even smashing bones.
