Best Chinese Cleaver for Cutting Meats, Vegetables & More

When people talk about China, two things immediately come to mind: affordable products and food. While these two things are normally discussed separately, who says you can’t talk about them in one single topic. In this case, the topic will focus on a Chinese cleaver. Also known as the “cai dao,” you may have seen it in action in one of those Chinese cooking shows. Seeing those chefs expertly quickly chopping everything may have also inspired you to get one for your kitchen.

Best Chinese Cleaver: Top 5 Picks

Since not everyone is well-versed in Chinese kitchen tools, we rounded up the posse and looked for the best Chinese cleavers in the market. And find them we did.

• Zwilling J.A. Henckels Chinese Chef’s Knife
• Shi ba zi zuo Chef Knife Chinese Cleaver
• Imarku Cleaver Knife
• Orblue Stainless Steel Knife
• Winco Heavy Duty Chinese Cleaver

Like what you are reading? Take a peek at the features of these Chinese cleavers. Keep on reading for all the details you need to know and we’ll help you choose the best one for your home or professional kitchen. Let’s get to it!

#1: Zwilling J.A. Henckels Chinese Chef’s Knife

Chinese cleaver made in Germany, anyone? If you are looking for one, then check out the Zwilling J.A. Henckels Chinese Chef’s Knife. Its high-carbon steel material does not stain and the blade remains sharp for a long time. And J.A. Henckels is certainly one of the top names in the knife business so you can be assured that you’re getting a top-quality product.

The knife is lightweight but is still as strong as any other Chinese cleaver in the market. Its ergonomic handle also makes it comfortable to use.

Features

• Made in Germany
• High-carbon steel that does not stain
• Ice-hardened blade remains sharp longer
• Lightweight
• Ergonomic polymer handle.

Customer Reviews for the Zwilling J.A. Henckels Chinese Chef’s Knife

—>Read More Chinese Vegetable Cleaver Reviews on Amazon<—

“This is a great knife. It is comfortable to use and has a good balance. And this Chinese vegetable cleaver also does not appear to rust—I’ve been using it consistently for months now and it’s good as new. Still sharp too.”

“After using a similar knife at work, I decided to buy one for my kitchen. The knife is durable and sharp. I am extremely pleased with this knife. I love to smoke meats so find that processing it can be a hassle without a knife designed to do the job and this one is certainly perfect.”

“It is an exceptionally-sharp knife. The blade of the knife is suitably-sized to transfer chopped ingredients into a pan. This is a great vegetable cleaver and you could certainly use it for meat as well.”

The Takeaway on the Zwilling J.A. Henckels Chinese Chef’s Knife

If you are particular with quality, then the German-manufactured Zwilling J.A. Henckels Chinese Chef’s Knife is the one you are looking for. It’s one of the best names in the business and this Chinese vegetable cleaver has some of the best reviews online. We found it easy to use, durable and a nice balance between hefty enough but not unwieldy.

Shop Now

Does this sound like the right vegetable cleaver for your needs? You can find out more about it on Amazon by clicking the button below and don’t forget to see if it’s eligible for fast, free shipping with a Prime membership:

J.A. Henckels Cleaver Knife Review

Do you want to know more about this popular option for cutting meat or vegetables? Then you’ll certainly want to check out this short review video on YouTube:

#2: Shibazizuo Chef Knife Chinese Cleaver

Are you in the market for a durable and corrosion-resistant Chinese cleaver that is easy on the budget? Well, the Shibazizuo Chef Knife Chinese Cleaver has your back. The clad steel material makes it sturdy and resistant to corrosion. It also remains sharp for a long time due to the wet sharpening method used in making the knife. It is also wide enough for you to use it as a spatula while cooking your favorite dishes. Moreover, it can be used in both restaurants and at home.

Key Features of the Shibazizuo Chef Knife Chinese Cleaver

• Durable three-layer stainless steel blade
• Ultra-sharp non-stick blade
• Heavy-duty multipurpose knife
• Ergonomic handle
• Wide blade that doubles as a cooking spatula

User Reviews

—>See More Reviews for One of the Best Chinese Cleavers on Amazon.com<—

“I like this Chinese chef’s knife. It is quite affordable and does not need constant sharpening as compared to my two previous knives. Just keep in mind that it has a curved design.”

“Well-made knife. It is sharp and fits well in my hand. I will definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a reasonably-priced Chinese cleaver that’s good enough for a home kitchen.”

“This is a very well-designed knife. Being quite picky, I tried different designs and brands. This one stood out for its sharpness and balance.”

Summary for the Shibazizuo Chef Knife Chinese Cleaver

Are you looking for a great-quality Chinese cleaver without breaking the bank? Well, the Shibazizuo Chef Knife Chinese Cleaver should be on the top of your list. It’s very reasonably priced while being super high in quality and very durable. This makes it a serious win at Kitchen Gadget Reviews and we’re confident that you’ll be as happy with it as we are.

Where Can I Get It?

Do you want to pick yourself up this top-notch cleaver knife at a super reasonable price? Then you’ll want to head over to Amazon to find out more about it right here:

Compare Cleaver Knives

Do you want to see all of our top picks for cleavers side by side? Then you’ll definitely want to check out this handy comparison chart:

#3: Imarku Cleaver Knife

Keen on getting a multipurpose Chinese cleaver that can cut just about anything in the kitchen? Then, the Imarku Cleaver Knife should be the answer to your prayers. You can chop, dice, slice, and mince without having to change knives. Plus, Imarku makes a whole line of top-quality cutting devices so you can be assured that you’re getting a great product that’ll last for a long time.

It is so sharp, slicing meat will be a breeze. Its sharpness comes from the German stainless steel material used for its blade. The ergonomic handle also makes using the knife so comfortable that you will find yourself not wanting to put it down.

Important Features

• Multipurpose cleaver can be used for different cutting needs
• German stainless steel material keeps the blade sharp and rust-resistant
• Durable and of high quality
• Ergonomic handle
• Money-back guarantee

What do People Think About It?

—>See More Reviews for this Chinese Kitchen Knife<—

“This is a very durable knife. It is lightweight and sharp. The knife is also well-designed and comes with a great-looking box and the quality is the same as the other knives from the same company that I’ve enjoyed in the past.”

“It is a great chef knife. I like using it in my kitchen. Aside from being easy to hold, the blade is also very sharp.”

“Using this knife made me feel like a professional chef. It is also very elegant and sharp. My love for cooking inspired me to buy this knife.”

The Takeaway on the Imarku Cleaver Knife

Still looking for an all-in-one knife that is both durable and sharp? You can end your search with the Imarku Cleaver Knife. Imarku is certainly one of the most trusted names in the business and it makes a nice addition to any home or professional kitchen.

Where Can I Find It?

Do you want to pick yourself up this top-quality Chinese chopping cleaver? Then head over to Amazon to check for the best prices:

#4: Orblue Stainless Steel Cleaver Knife

Are you a meat lover? Then the Orblue Stainless Steel Knife is the most ideal kitchen knife for you. It’s so sharp that you can quickly and cleanly cut meat without much effort. Its slightly heavier weight allows you to use it as a cleaver whenever necessary. Cramping and fatigue will also become a thing of the past with its ergonomically-designed handle. Using it in your kitchen gives you the feeling of being a professional chef.

Key Features

• Razor-sharp stainless steel blade
• Heavy-duty knife can be used as a cleaver
• Cleanly cuts meat
• Ergonomic handle eliminates hand fatigue and cramps
• Easy to clean

Online Reviews for the Orblue Stainless Steel Cleaver Knife

—>See More Chinese Cleaver Knife Reviews on Amazon<—

“My mom, who suffers from arthritis, can cut meat easily using this knife. It is very sharp and does not corrode, even after months of use.”

“This is the knife I have been looking for. It can easily cut the crusty bread I make at home. It gives the best value for your money and besides bread, I use it for meat, veggies and just about anything.”

“I’m very satisfied with the knife. It can easily cut through anything. Highly recommended Japanese cleaver.”

Summary for the Orblue Stainless Steel Knife

Meat lovers often find themselves in a quandary on which knife is best for them. Well, the Orblue Stainless Steel Knife is definitely something they should get for their kitchen.

Get It Today

Do you want to check out this top-notch cutting and chopping knife? You can easily find it on Amazon. Click here to get the best prices:

#5: Winco Heavy Duty Chinese Cleaver

Looking for a no-frills Chinese cleaver? You can stop searching with the Winco Heavy Duty Chinese Cleaver. It comes with a corrosion-resistant stainless steel blade. Its 5-inch wooden handle couple with its 8-inch long blade reflects the quality the manufacturer dedicated itself to ever since they started offering kitchen tools decades ago.

Features

• Corrosion-resistant, high-quality stainless steel material
• Eight-inch long blade
• Five-inch wooden handle
• Dishwasher-safe
• Manufactured by a leading brand in the kitchen services industry

Customer Reviews

—>Read More Reviews Online<—

“Great Chinese cleaver for everyday use. Ideal for light and simple cutting tasks. Reasonably-priced as well and it stays sharp for a long time.

“I am very pleased with this cleaver. It is of high-quality and very sharp. I can use it for many cutting tasks in the kitchen.”

“This cleaver does the tasks needed in the kitchen. It’s an excellent knife for its price. I am very satisfied with it and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a meat cleaver.”

Should you Consider Buying the Winco Heavy Duty Chinese Cleaver?

If you are looking for a no-nonsense Chinese cleaver at a reasonable price, the Winco Heavy Duty Chinese Cleaver will likely meet your needs. It’s affordably priced but also sharp and durable and useful for a ton of cutting and chopping tasks in the kitchen.

Get It Today

Do you want to find out more about one of the best Chinese vegetable cleavers? Then you’ll want to head over to Amazon to find out more about it and also to check for the lowest prices:

Top 7 Factors to Consider When Buying a Chinese cleaver

After watching numerous cooking shows on TV, you may have noticed some chefs using a Chinese cleaver. If you are green with envy at the way they easily cut through everything on the chopping board, you may have thought about getting one for yourself. But, hold your horses. Before you go out and buy the first one you see on the internet, there are some things you should consider before finalizing your decision. So, we listed five factors you should consider before buying yourself a Chinese cleaver.

#1: Blade Material

While the blades of many cleavers are made of carbon steel, this material is prone to rust. Rust on the blade can cause your food to have a bit of metal to the taste. Due to this, you may want to consider getting a Chinese cleaver that uses stainless steel for its blade. Some cleavers use a combination of stainless steel and carbon steel for the blades.

#2: Sharpness of the Blade

Since we are talking about the blade, you should also think about the sharpness of the blade. Good-quality Chinese cleavers do not require regular sharpening. But when you have to sharpen them, you should consider using a sharpening stick or honing steel. Keeping the blade sharp does not only make your cutting tasks easy, but it also lets you avoid unpleasant incidents due to exerting more effort than necessary.

#3: Comfort

Using a Chinese cleaver may not be easy at the start, especially if you haven’t used one in the past. But once you get used to it, everything will be easy-peasy. In this regard, to make your transition easy, you should look for a cleaver that is comfortable to use. Comfort is subjective so you should check out different cleavers before making your final decision.

#4: Looks can be deceiving

Chinese cleavers may look like a regular butcher’s cleaver, but you cannot use it to chop hard bones. These types of cleavers are designed mainly to slice meat and vegetables. There may be some cleavers that can be used to chop softer bones. In this case, you should double-check it before you go to the counter.

#5: Maintenance

Similar to all kitchen tools, Chinese cleavers also require regular maintenance. This means you should wash them according to the manufacturer’s directions. Some are dishwasher safe while others require hand washing. You should check how to take care of the Chinese cleaver you want to buy before you pay for it.

#6: Price

As with anything, of course price is a major consideration in which product you might eventually end up buying. In this case, you can get a Chinese chef cleaver for as little as $20 or 30 and then upwards of $100. This is similar to things like knife sets or chef’s knifes in which you can spend just a few bucks or thousands.

We recommend the ones in the $50-100 range. You’ll be getting a high quality product that will stay sharp for  a long time, be easy to sharpen when it does get dull but it won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Just be careful not to lose a finger when chopping, okay?

#7: Customer Reviews

It’s prudent to check reviews before dropping some cold, hard cash on a product, right? Of course it is. We recommend taking a look at the 3-4 star reviews on Amazon because they’ll usually give you the best indication of a product’s true strengths and weaknesses.

Chinese Cleaver FAQs

There are a number of common questions that people have about cleaver knives. Here are the answers to some of the most popular ones.

What is a Chinese Cleaver?

A Chinese (or Japanese) cleaver is a large knife that can vary in shape but in general, it’s a rectangular shaped knife with one sharp edge. It’s used as a butcher knife for cutting through things like bones but it’s also ideal for chopping vegetables. The broad side of the cleaver can be used for crushing food like garlic.

Why do Chinese Chefs Use Cleavers?

Chinese chefs used cleavers to cut through bone and tough, dense connective tissue for meats like pork or beef ribs and poultry. They have thick, heavy blades that are strong enough for this task, but they can also be used to prepare things like vegetables.

What is the Hole in a Cleaver For?

Some meat cleavers have a hold in them because they were traditionally hung from a meat hook, or a hook on a butcher’s belt. These days, some Chinese cleavers have a hole while others do not.

How do you Use a Cleaver?

What is the Difference Between a Butcher Knife and a Cleaver?

A butcher knife is used in the meat processing industry. It has a very hefty blade that can easily split, strip and cut meat. A cleaver is similar in that it’s used to process meat, but it has a thinner, lighter blade that’s used for more precision cutting than a butcher’s knife.

How do you Hold a Cleaver?

To hold a cleaver, grasp the handle with your dominant hand. Then, with the other hand, hold the food but curl your fingertip under with your knuckles against the blade. This will protect your fingers from cuts. Then, lift the cleaver just slightly as you cut.

Have your Say about the Best Chinese Cleaver

What’s your top pick for a Chinese or Japanese cleaver? Is it one of the options from this list or do you have your eye on another one? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think. We’d love to hear from you.

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Last update on 2020-04-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API