Chinese cleavers have a distinct presence in any kitchen, they're versatile tools that can tackle a wide range of tasks, from chopping veggies to prepping poultry and other meats.
But are Chinese cleavers expensive? Do they last? And most importantly, are they easy to obtain?
AliExpress has a vast collection of knives including meat cleavers that are built to stand the test of time. Not only are these bad boys easy to get, but they're super affordable and are quite well balanced.
Regardless of whether you're a pro in the kitchen or just starting off your culinary venture, this list of the best Chinese cleavers will help in choosing the right one for your needs much easier.
| Top Chinese Cleavers | Uses, Material, Build | Link |
| Zwilling J.A. Henckels | High carbon no stain steel, One-piece precision-stamped blade, excellent edge retention. | Check it out on Amazon |
| Imarku Cleaver | Multi-functional Cleaver, rust resistant, easy to maitain, ERGONOMIC PAKKA HANDLE. | Check it out on Amazon |
| Wusthof Gourmet | Recommended for meat separation, 3 rivet synthetic handles for strength and durability, Laser tested edge for uniform cutting | Check it out on Amazon |
| Grand Sharp Forged Chinese Cleaver | Damascus steel from Japan,recommended by professionals, Traditional Chinese cleaver | Check it out on Aliexpress |
| Winco 8” cleaver | Wooden handle, Dishwasher-safe, corrosion resistant stainless steel | Check it out on Amazon |
| SKY LIGHT Cleaver | Professional Sharp Blade,Outstanding German HC Stainless Steel, Full Tang Design & Ergonomic Handle | Check it out on Amazon |
| XITUO High-carbon Clad Steel Chinese Cleaver | Handmade Forged High-carbon Clad Steel, Full Tang integrated steel shank + wood + rivet fixing, Razor Sharp | Check it out on Aliexpress |
| Timhome Meat Cleaver | Eco-Friendly, 7Cr17Mov Stainless Steel, Equisite designs and patterns | Check it out on Aliexpress |
| SOWOLL Chinese Cleaver | Sharp, Durable, ladle handle tail, comfortable grip | Check it out on Aliexpress |
| 8-inch Professional Chinese Meat Cleaver | Lightweight cleaver, superb balance and sharpness, excellent wear resistance | Check it out on Aliexpress |
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Best Chinese Cleavers Reviewed
Tuo Cutlery Cleaver
Love Pakkawood handles? The Tuo has the best pakkawood handle which is known for its durability. It's got the design to be held comfortably. The knife itself is a mix of stainless steel and carbon steel. The blade is full-tang and is very sharp.
It cannot be dish washed which is unfortunate. The blade is pretty long at 8-inches, so easy slicing. It's good for cutting, slicing and mincing. One of the best Chinese cleavers in 2021. At $39, it's a steal!
Zwilling J.A. Henckels
The Chinese cleaver made by Zwilling J.A. Henckels is made with high-quality German steel. The one-piece precision-stamped blade is lighter without compromising on the strength and durability.
The ice-hardened Friodur blade stays sharper for longer, and the polymer handle is ergonomic and bonded to perfection. The traditional three rivet design has the Zwilling J.A. Henckels logo embedded that is striking to look.
The special high carbon blade doesn’t stain, and the 57 Rockwell hardness ensures it excellent edge retention. I would highly recommend this Chinese cleaver, and at $89.95 with a 10% discount from Amazon, you have to grab this before it flies off the shelves.
Imarku Cleaver
This multipurpose cleaver from Imarku is designed for chopping, mincing, dicing, and slicing with unmatched cutting performance and durability. The Imarku cleaver comes with a 60-62 HRC (Rockwell Hardness Scale) and is crafted with imported German stainless steel.
The cleaver is rust-resistant, has excellent edge retention, and easy to maintain. The PAKKA wood handle makes the cutting experience super comfortable. You will not believe how effortless it is to cut through large pieces of meat and vegetables with the Imarku.
There is a 100% money-back guarantee on Amazon, and this beauty is priced at an affordable $39.99. Click on the link to know more about shipping options to your country.
Wusthof Gourmet
This 7” cleaver is a choice of many chefs around the globe and for a reason. The Wusthof Gourmet is blunt and thick and cuts through bone. Yes, you heard that right. This cleaver is an excellent choice to separate meat from the bone.
The Wusthof’s bolster, tang, and the blade is manufactured from a single piece of high carbon German steel, making it sturdy and long-lasting.
The 3 rivet synthetic handle is the epitome of durability and strength, and the blade is laser tested for uniform cutting. If you want this Chinese cleaver to adorn your kitchen, make sure you check out the link from Amazon.
Grand Sharp Forged Chinese Cleaver
This handmade traditional Chinese cleaver is a 7” from the company Grand Sharp is one of the fastest-selling cleavers on AliExpress. They fly off the shelf as they are made of Damascus steel from Japan and highly recommended by professionals.
The high carbon rust-proof steel blade is 292 mm in length, and the width of the blade is 175mm x 98mm. The handmade handle is comfortable to use, and with a weight of 315gms, the cleaver is perfect for everyday use.
This traditional Chinese forged knife is available in a beautiful box and can be an ideal gift for your family and friends. Available on AliExpress for US $21.22 with a whopping 51% discount, this is an offer you cannot miss.
Winco 8” cleaver
This 8inch cleaver from Winco is the highest sold Chinese cleaver on Amazon. Highly recommended by chefs and homemakers, this corrosion-resistant stainless steel is dishwasher-safe too.
The handle made of wood measures 5” and the overall blade measures 8” in length and 3.5” in width and weighs 1.08 pounds.
The blade is suitable to cut and slice vegetables and chicken but may not be ideal to cut through stricter meat like beef and pork. That apart, the handling and performance of this Chinese cleaver are top-notch.
It is available on Amazon through different sellers and priced between $15.99 to $18.99. You can check the availability in your country from this link.
SKY LIGHT Cleaver
The SKY LIGHT cleaver is a general-purpose cleaver and a perfect kitchen assistant for beginners and professionals. The 7inch cleaver is hand-polished and has an ultra-thin sharp blade made for slicing boneless meats and micing vegetables.
The wide blade doubles up as a spatula and can be used to carry meat and vegetables to the wok. Made of a one-piece 100% stainless steel, the triple-rivet handle is easy to grip and is well balanced.
This stylish cleaver is forged at 58+ Rockwell Hardness and is durable and rust-resistant. The tang construction is seamless and is ergonomic in design and can be used by left-handers with equal ease.
The cleaver is available with a 1-year warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee from Amazon at an attractive price of $27.97 with a 30% off.
XITUO High-carbon Clad Steel Chinese Cleaver
XITUO cleaver is a full tang cleaver forged from high-carbon clad steel. This cleaver has a full tang integrated steel shank with wood and rivets. The 4mm thick blade is 18cm in length and 10cm in width and weighs 435gms.
The cleaver is razor-sharp, and the company boasts about it being 100 % handmade. The entire process includes many elements such a quenching, clamping, tempering, and hammering. This cycle ensures hardness and sharpness of the blade.
The XITUO cleaver is one-of-a-kind full tang cleaver, and with proper care, you can be sure of using this for 15-20 years without any hassles. Now, that’s impressive. Click on this link from AliExpress to check it out. It is priced at $21.05 with a safety sheath included.
Timhome Meat Cleaver
These exquisite cleavers from Timhome are one of the most elegant pieces of cleavers you can get your hands on. The high-quality blade, the colorful wooden handle, and the fine grinding edge makes it multi-purpose cleaver.
The cleaver is built to blaze through chicken bone and spare ribs, making it a trusty companion if you like to use a lot of meat in your cooking.
The Timhome cleaver, made from premium stainless steel. The eco-friendly cleaver has 7Cr17Mov steel and weight about 470 gms. The choice of sizes and finish is the best thing about Timhome cleavers, and they are available in Size1 - Size6.
The cleaver is packed in a beautiful box as is available at $19.65 on AliExpress. Click on the link to know more about shipping charges.
SOWOLL Chinese Cleaver
The SOWOLL Chinese cleaver is an extraordinary kitchen knife that not only looks great but is comfortable to use. The cutting edge is sharp, and it makes for a great kitchen helper if you have to chop and cut chicken and vegetables.
This handmade cleaver has a thick blade that is made of refined stainless steel and has undergone high-temperature heat treatment. The handle is made of natural rosewood and is super easy to grip and use. The handle looks exquisite and is equipped with a ladle handle tail too.
To know more about how well this cleaver is made or to buy one for yourself, check this link from AliExpress today!
8-inch Professional Chinese Meat Cleaver
This professional meat cleaver is a beautiful piece of work with the maker’s name etched on the fine blade. The blade is designed not just to look great but also has superb balance and sharpness.
This lightweight cleaver weighs 270 gms and has an overall length of 325mm. Manufactured using a wet cutting edge method of forging, the blade is sharp and durable. The blade uses hardened stainless steel, and the cleaver has excellent wear resistance.
The user-friendly design makes it a one of a kind meat cleaver and is useful for cutting and chopping. This Chinese cleaver is a best-seller on AliExpress.
Best Chinese Cleaver - Buyer’s Guide
It’s not always easy picking the best Chinese cleaver because of numerous factors. In order to get the best quality cleaver, here are a few things you will have to keep in mind before making your final decision.
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Blade Material - The first thing to note about a good Chinese cleaver is its blade. The best quality blades are made from a blend of stainless steel and chromium which ensures the blade is safe from corrosion. Other blades are made from carbon steel which is stronger but since it lacks chromium, it can tend to wear out and corrode faster than normal.
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Handle Material - When buying a Chinese cleaver, you will need to make sure that the handle of the cleaver is made from a high-quality material that’s comfortable to hold and is grip-friendly. Handles are currently made from one of these three materials, stainless steel, wood and wood+resin mix. It’s a personal preference and you will have to choose the one that’s most comfortable to hold.
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Length of the Blade - The longer the blade the more versatile the cleaver is and the faster you can get your chopping tasks done. Ideally, it’s good to pick a blade that’s a minimum of 7” in length and no more than 10”. Larger blades tend to be more comfortable to handle and will be easier to cut meats or large fruits and vegetables.
- Maintenance - Finally, you will need to pick the right Chinese cleaver that’s easy to maintain. You will need to clean and sharpen the blade regularly to ensure highest levels of efficiency. Purchase a dry knife block to store the cleaver as this can help reduce the chances of rust formation or stains getting on the blade.
Best Chinese Cleavers FAQs
How can I sharpen a Chinese cleaver at home?
You can sharpen the cleaver using the same method to sharpen a regular knife or pair of scissors. You will require a flat sharpening stone to get this done and around 5 minutes to sharpen the blade. Simply angle the blade at 20-degrees over the sharpening stone and slowly but firmly run the blade across the stone in a forward/backward motion 8-10 times and then flip the blade over and repeat the process.
Can Chinese cleavers cut hard things like bones?
If you’re looking to cut bones then a Chinese cleaver is not the blade to buy. It’s simply not designed to do that and a hard strike on a bone would result in damaging the blade all together.
Can I wash my Chinese cleaver in the dishwasher?
As with all knives, unless they’re marked dishwasher safe, do not attempt to wash them in one. Dishwasher liquid can at times ruin a good Chinese cleaver and break down the materials used in the blade. But, there are some Chinese cleavers that have been manufactured specifically so that they can be washed in the dishwasher. Refer to the details of the product before buying one for yourself.
Why are Chinese Cleavers so popular?
In the world of knives, Chinese cleavers stand out for their versatility and the level of improvisations it can give you, the user. They can accomplish a lot of things in the kitchen and this makes them tick. From chopping, mincing, slicing, dicing to crushing celery, ginger and garlic, a Chinese cleaver can do it all.
Takeaway
Chinese cleavers are the best as they are lighter, sharper, and have a durable blade. The handles are well made and this makes all the difference too.
You can use it for longer time without any strain. They can be used to separate meat from bone, chop bones in some cases and also delicately slice vegetables in the shape and size you want.
For a budding chef to a passionate cook, the cleaver works wonders in your kitchen.
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