Cleaver Reccomendations

[StrikeBBQ]

I have several Dalstrong knives from the Gladiator cleaver to the Shogun slicer. I love the quality, ability to select from German to Japanese steel. Best customer service in the industry.

[texastweeter]

Seeing how it WILL be used to break down whole animals, I'm thinking the DR may be right in either the 7 or 8 inch model.

[Murdy]

Interesting, they make a bigger one apparently, Amazon has a 9 inch version. They also show a 6 inch version.

[klflowers]

lol I was posting about my Dexter at the same time. I agree it is overkill, but I like it. It is a monster.

[klflowers]

I have this Dexter cleaver:

https://www.restaurantsupply.com/dex...BoCWpgQAvD_BwE

Goes through everything. I bought it a the local restaurant supply store. It is pretty heavy so I don't swing it, I just let it drop. The toughest job I have used it for was to cut some dino ribs in half for a friend - she wanted to fit them in a dutch oven.

Just to add to MBMorgan post above, it is definitely overkill. It is big and heavy, but I like it.

[MBMorgan]

You mention being pretty much settled on a Dexter Russell. I went back and checked out what ATK (who recommend "with reservations") had to say about them:

"One of the largest models in our testing, this traditional-looking, blade-heavy cleaver was too big and unwieldy to use comfortably or accurately, wedging (not cutting) through squash and making uneven slices of roast duck. Its blade was sharp but didn’t always feel that way, thanks to a thick edge. And while we liked the grippiness of its handle, its ergonomic bumps and large bolster limited our grip options. Testers and butchers agreed: Unless you break down whole animals in your spare time, this knife is overkill."

Model Number: S5387PCP
Weight: 1 lb 4 oz
Edge angle: 20°
Blade height: 4 in
Blade length: 7.25 in
Handle length: 4.5 in
Blade material: Stain-free high-carbon steel
Handle material: Polypropylene
Handle circumference: 4.1 in
Price at Time of Testing: $38.87

They didn't actually say anything bad about it ... just that it's overkill for the average human.

[texastweeter]

I have their shogun slicer. Fairly nice brisket slicer.

[texastweeter]

That is a Chinese cleaver, probably very thin. It is great for vegetable work, but my MAC santaku gets that job.

[MBMorgan]

We’ll you could get this wild Obliterator cleaver from Dalstrong…

Dalstrong blades seem to be high quality and are reasonably affordable. They generally have silly names and often look like a weapon that only a Klingon could love. I have this one:



... and while I haven't broken down any steers with it, I've been very pleased with the results I get on birds, fish, and sturdy veggies (where the rounded tip often helps a bit). I also like the fact that my BIL always looks a bit worried when I wave it around .

[Attjack]

I really liked mine. Unfortunately last night I ruined the blade chopping a dog chew in half.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0768H6PS9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Murdy]

I do not have a lot of experience with cleavers, but: If you are hacking bones and processing large cuts, I'd go bigger and heavier. Bigger and heavier gives more force. If you need more precision, smaller and lighter is easier to control.

Perhaps get one bigger and one smaller and learn which is better for different jobs as you encounter them.

[StrikeBBQ]

We’ll you could get this wild Obliterator cleaver from Dalstrong…https://dalstrong.com/products/gladi...r-meat-cleaver

[bbqLuv]

Don't overlook Victorinox Fibrox Kitchen Cleaver in black - 5.4003.18
Victorinox knives, the best bang for the buck, IMHO.

[Donw]

Look for ‘F. Dick’ cleavers to see if you find one you like in weight and size for the money you want to spend. German made.

edit: The ones to look for are not the ones listed on Amazon. Butcher supply houses will probably have them.

[MBMorgan]

ATK likes this one from Lamson. It’s recommended as a Best Buy. Shun and Global are slightly higher rated but are also quite a bit more expensive.