10 Best Meat Cleavers 2026 in the United States

The HOSHANHO Cleaver Knife is a versatile 7-inch meat cleaver designed for both home kitchens and restaurants. Made from Japanese AUS-10 high carbon stainless steel, the blade is highly durable and retains sharpness over time. The blade's edge is ground to a precise 15° angle on each side, ensuring clean and accurate cuts, with a hardness rating of 58+2 HRC. This makes the knife strong and flexible, suitable for a range of cutting tasks from vegetables to meat.

The blade is 2.3mm thick, which strikes a good balance between sturdiness and precision cutting. Its polished surface helps reduce food sticking to the blade, making it easier to clean and maintain. The handle is made from Pakkawood and is ergonomically designed for comfort and control, reducing hand fatigue during prolonged use. This makes it accessible for both amateur cooks and professional chefs.

The knife requires hand washing and regular sharpening to maintain its performance, which might be more effort compared to some lower-maintenance knives. Its weight and balance are well-suited for chopping tasks, but its size might be cumbersome for more delicate jobs. This cleaver is ideal for those looking for a multi-functional, durable kitchen knife that can handle a variety of cutting tasks with ease.

The Wüsthof Classic 6-Inch Cleaver is a solid choice for anyone needing a versatile kitchen knife that handles chopping, slicing, and dicing well. Its blade is made from high carbon stainless steel, giving it excellent durability and resistance to rust and dulling. The 6-inch blade length is practical for most meat-cleaving tasks, offering good control without being too bulky. Forged from a single piece of steel and tempered to a high hardness, the blade stays sharp longer and cuts more precisely than many other cleavers.

The handle is made from stainless steel with a triple-riveted full tang design, which means it’s sturdy and well balanced in the hand, reducing fatigue during extended use. Weighing about 1 pound, it offers a comfortable heft that helps deliver force without feeling too heavy. On the downside, the cleaver isn’t dishwasher safe and requires hand washing, which may be less convenient.

This cleaver is best suited for home cooks and professional chefs who want reliable performance and good edge retention in a mid-sized cleaver. Its quality construction and reputation make it a dependable tool, though those needing a more heavy-duty cleaver for tougher jobs might look elsewhere.

The HEZHEN Meat Cleaver is a high-quality kitchen tool designed for both home cooks and professional chefs who need a sharp, durable blade for tasks like cutting meat, vegetables, and more. Its 6.8-inch blade is made from 67 layers of genuine Damascus steel with a strong 10Cr15CoMoV core, known for excellent sharpness, corrosion resistance, and edge retention. The blade thickness and heat treatment process give it good strength without making it too heavy, at just under 11 ounces, which helps with control and reduces hand fatigue.

The wooden handle, crafted from figured sycamore wood with brass accents, feels comfortable and balanced, providing a secure grip and an elegant look. This balance between blade and handle makes chopping safer and more precise. One downside is that the cleaver is not dishwasher safe, so it requires hand washing and careful maintenance to keep the blade in top condition. Also, the price might be a bit higher than basic cleavers, reflecting its craftsmanship and materials. For those who appreciate quality steel and a well-designed handle, the HEZHEN cleaver is a reliable, sharp, and attractive option that can handle various kitchen tasks and last a long time.