Meat Cleaver Advice

[slavenoid]

Wanting to add a meat cleaver to the butchering tool chest. I literally know nothing about them. I went to the only knife store I could find locally and they had a few Japanese ones that seemed nice, but I think they're mostly for vegetables. Don't know that I will use it a ton but I like quality tools so any recommendations would be helpful including brand, length, steel etc.

This will be used exclusively for butchering, no vegetables or bench scraper applications needed.

[wadu1]

I use a Victorinox 7" professional, I was looking for a Wusthof but couldn't find one at the time. I also have two Chinese cleavers for vegies and fruit.

[Tbar]

https://www.go2marine.com/search?keywords=Cleaver

7 or 9 inch are built well, both very heavy.

[LDennis24]

Just saw a good deal on Craigslist if your heading East for any hunting

https://lewiston.craigslist.org/hsh/d/lewiston-kamikoto-chefs-cleaver/7681650275.html

[CP]

For heavy butchery e.g. bone chopping, whacking crabs in half, spatchcocking chickens ...  I use a 7" Hankel.  Heavy, solid, stainless and it holds a good edge.

I use a Chinese cleaver for lighter work, mostly cutting veggies.

I also carry a CJRB Craig (AR-RPM9 steel) razor sharp.  Does my field cleaver work and makes for a great utility EDC.

[LDennis24]

Serial killer cleaver I have on the wall with some other war knives

[Boss .300 winmag]

I’ve got a vintage 9” Briddell you can have for $75 plus shipping.

[Boss .300 winmag]

One more.

[Whitpirate]

Serial killer cleaver I have on the wall with some other war knives

Willing to bet that’s a lamb splitter

[LDennis24]

Serial killer cleaver I have on the wall with some other war knives

Willing to bet that’s a lamb splitter

It's the 10 inch blade and I have heard it called the beef splitter but not a lamb splitter. The hog splitter was 8-9" I believe. The one I have is massive. It could make short work of a deer or lamb that's for sure. It's a W.M. BEATTY cleaver.

[LDennis24]

Slavenoid this is the one I would buy if I was looking to get a new cleaver. Dalstrong makes some pretty good knives also.

Dalstrong Massive Meat Cleaver Knife - 9 inch - Obliterator - Shadow Black Series - Black Titanium Nitride Coated - High Carbon 7CR17MOV-X Steel - Heavy Duty - Razor Sharp - Sheath - NSF Certified https://a.co/d/anZzN8d

[LDennis24]

Or this one

Dalstrong Obliterator Meat Cleaver - 9 inch - Gladiator Series R - Wood Stand and Sheath - Razor Sharp Massive Heavy Duty - 3lbs 6mm Thickness - 7CR17MOV Steel Kitchen - G10 Handle https://a.co/d/2FMgOWh

[slavenoid]

I ended ordering a Dexter Russel 9". I do wish I could find some locally to hold without possibly going to Portland. I like splurging on knives more than anything, but I'm going to keep this one somewhat economical for now. Interesting looking into the vintage stuff and the splitters though.

[slavenoid]

In case it's helpful to anyone I used the Dexter cleaver to break down a couple lambs. It arrived surprisingly sharp I don't know why I was thinking of them as kinda dull, but it's as sharp as any knife I have. After I was done whacking bones the blade was chipped up pretty good. After just a few minutes with work sharp field sharper it was good to go again. I would assume that means it's a softer steel which would make sense to me.

First time even holding a real cleaver it was a learning curve for sure. Big takeaway is 2lb blades are scary to swing and I consider a rubber mallet a must for safety and precision. It will be helpful when I need it but I won't be going out of my way to use it.