Best Chinese Chef's Knives & Cleavers of 2025

"I've always admired Martin Yan's knife skills, and I wanted to replicate that. I discovered that he uses a Chinese chef's knife. After finding this one with great reviews at an affordable price, I decided to give it a try. Although it arrived a bit dull, a quick sharpening with an Arkansas stone solved that. Now, I can chop carrots quickly and mince onions like a pro! This knife has significantly improved my skills, and I’m planning to buy a second one to gift since I’ve already scratched this one up while learning. It’s a premium tool!"

"This knife has become my go-to gift! It's affordable but looks impressive, and everyone I’ve gifted it to has told me how much they love it. They rave about how it makes their kitchen tasks so much easier, from smashing garlic to spatchcocking a turkey. It's a true workhorse that people are excited to use!"

"I thought I’d try this cleaver for chopping veggies, but it turned out to be heavier and thicker than I anticipated. While it’s sharp, I realized it's not suitable for fine work. It feels like a meat cleaver, so unless you’re looking to hack at bones, I’d recommend going for a chef's knife instead."

"This knife is truly a work of art and a workhorse. I received the Kyoku Shogun boning knife just before processing two 300 lb hogs. After two days of use, I only needed to sharpen it once, and it remained razor sharp. The balance is perfect, and the textured grip is gentle on my arthritic hands. It excelled at breaking down the hog, boning, and slicing, even removing skin from ribs effortlessly. I loved it so much that I ordered the Santoku knife next!"

"As a sushi chef just starting out, I was searching for a reliable knife and came across this one. It's by far one of the best knives I've ever used for sushi and cooking! The comfort level is outstanding, and it looks absolutely stunning in person. 10 out of 10, I would buy it again!"

"I ordered both the Kyoku and the Regalia Emperor Series paring knives to compare them. They are nearly identical in construction and packaging, both being high-quality and sharp. The handles are made of the same material and the design is very similar. My conclusion is that both knives come from the same factory but are branded differently. Regardless of the brand, you won't need to buy another paring knife again!"

"I absolutely love this knife. It's a quality buy with great balance, and the grip is excellent. I've washed it by hand and in the dishwasher, and there’s no rust. I’ve been using it daily for a month now."

"I bought this knife about a year ago, mainly because I didn’t own a cleaver and wasn’t sure how much I would use it. To my surprise, I’ve found it incredibly useful—using it for dinner prep two to three times a week. The knife is well-balanced and was razor sharp right out of the box. After a year of frequent use, I still only need to use a steel on the edge. If you’re looking for a long-term knife, keep looking, but if you’re unsure, this is a good deal."

"This cleaver is my go-to tool in the kitchen. It makes cutting, slicing, and chopping a breeze. I even use it to crush garlic cloves. I found this one on Amazon after my old cleaver became too rusty. For $10, I expected poor quality, but this knife is sharp and beautifully made. I’m glad I made the switch."

"As a first-time cleaver user, I was pleasantly surprised. The blade is thin and sharp, making it easy to scoop up veggies. The olive wood handle fits my large hand comfortably, and it's beautiful. While it feels a bit blade heavy, it performs great for my chopping needs."

"I'm a bit of a knife snob, and while I wish it had a more robust steel, I'm still impressed. The sharpness is superb, and the olive wood handle feels exquisite. The rounded spine shows extra care. It's a pleasure to have this knife."

"This cleaver is a fantastic blend of sturdiness and sharpness. I had to grind it down a bit initially, but now it’s perfect. It's a bit heavy, so I recommend it for those with stronger arms. I expect it will serve me well for a long time."

"I use this knife for everything I would use my French style Chef's knife for. This Chinese chef knife is a little on the heavy side, but the steel quality is impressive, taking a hair popping edge with minimal effort. I'm very satisfied with my purchase, especially given the $12 price tag! The one-piece steel construction makes it sanitary, with no place for bacteria to hide. I highly recommend this knife if you're looking for a Chinese chef knife!"

"I honestly didn't expect much from this knife, but it has proven to be shockingly good. I mainly bought it for menial tasks to save my $100+ Shun knives. It cuts through potatoes and chicken breasts just as well as my expensive knives. The grip is comfortable, and while food does stick to it, that’s a minor issue given how well it cuts. I’m planning to buy another one because it’s an exceptional knife regardless of the price!"

"I got this cleaver to replace my previous carbon steel knife, and it’s definitely worth the price. As a chef, I appreciate the nicely curved blade, perfect for mincing herbs and moving cut food easily. However, I find it a bit thick for some vegetables, but it works well for my purposes, making it a great value for the amount of use I get."

“I find this knife excellent for daily use. It's very light and can be sharpened to a razor edge. Although the steel isn't as hard as some Japanese knives, it strikes a good balance for easy maintenance at home.”

“This knife has a sturdy handle and is well balanced. I appreciate how sharp it is right out of the box, making it a must-have.”

“While it's a nice knife for cutting fruits at my bar, it does have a rough unfinished wood handle. I think it's a great starter knife for practicing sharpening techniques.”

"I recently added this boning knife to my kitchen tools, and it has quickly become indispensable. The high-quality stainless steel blade stays sharp impressively well. It effortlessly cuts through poultry, fish, and meat with surgical precision. The narrow, pointed tip is fantastic for intricate cuts. I love the ergonomic design of the handle which allows for a comfortable grip, even during prolonged use. The attention to detail, like the finger guard, adds to its safety. I feel confident this knife will be a reliable companion for years."

"I really enjoy the thin blade of this knife; it’s perfect for slicing thin pieces. Just a heads up, be careful not to attempt cutting through bones. The handle is well made and very comfortable. You’ll be pleased with your purchase."

"I found this knife to be super sharp, almost dangerously so! It sliced prime rib so thin that it was nearly transparent. Overall, the sharpness is impressive and gives me confidence while cutting. I just wished the balance of the knife was a bit better."

"I find this knife good and sharp, and while it’s smaller than I expected, it’s big enough for lifting a lot of chopped food at once. It combines the sharp point of a chef's knife with the lightness of a vegetable cleaver, making it easier to handle. I appreciate how well it holds an edge and how strong it is for tougher tasks like deboning pork."

"For me, this knife is great all around! It’s lightweight and maintains a super sharp edge for a long time. I love using it for chopping and dicing. Plus, there are no weird seams for germs to hide in, which makes it easy and fun to use."

"I was really hoping to like this knife, but after six months, it’s not my top choice. The blade feels too short for vegetables and too thick for meats. Although it was sharp out of the box, I find my other knives more comfortable. The handle is a bit disappointing; it feels cheap and poorly made. It served as a decent introduction to Japanese knives, but I think I’ll stick with Western cutlery."

“I've used this knife for a couple of months now, and I must say, it was sharp right out of the box. The fit and finish are impeccable, and the balance point is perfectly positioned for my grip. I love how it handles vegetables, making quick work of them while still being nimble enough for delicate herbs. This TUO Vegetable Cleaver has quickly become my go-to knife.”

“At first, I had my doubts about this cleaver since I’ve always used a nakiri knife. However, after almost three months, it has become my daily knife. The handle is comfortable, and after extensive use, it remains very sharp. I highly recommend this knife for its quality and value.”

“I was pleasantly surprised by this cleaver. I expected it to be a throwaway, but the quality was unexpected and the blade was sharp right out of the box. I’ve used it nearly every day since purchasing, and I can confidently recommend it to anyone looking for a versatile cleaver.”

"I stumbled upon a video about knife sharpening and was intrigued by the story of a father and son from China. The son mentioned how his dad had used this knife throughout his life to provide for the family and even open a restaurant. Thanks to the video, I found the exact knife they used and decided to get it. Dexter-Russel is known for quality, and I was impressed upon receiving it. The knife feels perfect in my hand, and after applying mineral oil to the wooden handle, it has become water-resistant. My main goal was to slice thin pieces of meat and vegetables, and this knife excels at that. I'm extremely satisfied!"

"I've owned this knife for three years, using it daily in a restaurant for slicing. It’s absolutely the best for thinly slicing everything from cabbage to carrots. If you're looking for a cleaver, this isn't it, but for slicing vegetables, it’s fantastic. The blade stays sharp, and its short length makes it ideal for small spaces. I've even given my old one to my brother who needs it for his lap cutting. I’m buying a new one because I can't imagine my kitchen without it!"

"When I first received this knife, I was surprised by its lightness and the sharpening wasn’t impressive. However, after honing it on my stone, I found it to be incredibly sharp and nimble! It's perfect for softer vegetables, although it struggles a bit with denser roots due to its weight. If you want a knife that excels in specific tasks, this might be the one for you. It’s become a fun addition to my collection!"