Best Forged Meat Cleavers of 2026

Rebecca Cantu Avatar
Rebecca Cantu
Last Updated: Jan 15, 2026

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Forged meat cleavers are a must-have tool for any home cook or professional chef. These heavy-duty knives are made from high-quality materials, such as carbon steel or stainless steel, and are designed to handle tough meat and bone with ease. The forging process creates a strong and durable blade that is resistant to wear and tear, making it a reliable tool in the kitchen. The weight and balance of a forged meat cleaver allow for precise cuts and the ability to apply force when needed. Whether you're preparing a Sunday roast or breaking down a whole chicken, a forged meat cleaver is an essential tool for any kitchen.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Huusk Hand Forged Meat Cleaver Cover #TOP 1
Huusk Hand Forged Meat Cleaver
ftb score rating icon 9.8
HOSHANHO 7-Inch Cleaver Knife Cover #TOP 2
HOSHANHO 7-Inch Cleaver Knife
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Huusk Japan Knives Meat Cleaver Knife Cover #TOP 3
Huusk Japan Knives Meat Cleaver Knife
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Forged Meat Cleavers

#TOP 1

Huusk Hand Forged Meat Cleaver

Black
10 inches
Huusk Hand Forged Meat Cleaver Cover
Huusk Knives Japan, Hand Forged Meat Cleaver Knife with Sheath, High Carbon Steel Kitchen Knife for Meat and Vegetables, Full Tang Butcher Knife for Camping, BBQ, Christmas Gift for Men and Women

The Huusk Meat Cleaver is expertly crafted from high-carbon steel, ensuring durability and sharpness for all your cutting needs. Its unique curved blade allows you to cut through meat fibers effortlessly, making meal preparation easier. The ebony handle is designed for comfort and stability, fitting perfectly in your hand and reducing fatigue during extended use. Versatile and portable, this knife excels in the kitchen and is perfect for outdoor activities like camping and BBQs, thanks to the included leather sheath for easy carrying.

What We Like
Exceptional sharpness
Excellent weight and balance
Comfortable ergonomic grip
Durable, high-quality construction
Unique safety features

HOSHANHO 7-Inch Cleaver Knife

7 inch Cleaver Knife
Silver
HOSHANHO 7-Inch Cleaver Knife Cover
HOSHANHO Cleaver Knife 7 Inch, Ultra Sharp Japanese High Carbon Steel Vegetable Meat Cleaver, Multifunction Chopper Butcher Knife for Home Kitchen and Restaurant

The HOSHANHO Cleaver Knife is designed for precision and ease in your kitchen. With its extremely sharp 15° blade angle, you can enjoy clean cuts while preparing meat and vegetables. Made from high-quality Japanese AUS-10 stainless steel, this knife maintains its sharpness over time, making it perfect for everyday use. Its ergonomic handle ensures comfort and control, reducing hand fatigue during extended cooking sessions. This versatile tool excels in various tasks, whether you're slicing fish or chopping veggies, making it an essential addition for both novice cooks and culinary experts.

What We Like
Ultra-sharp blade
Excellent balance and weight
Comfortable ergonomic handle
High-quality Japanese steel
Effortless food prep
#TOP 3

Huusk Japan Knives Meat Cleaver Knife

HK-KK
Black, brown
6.3 Inches
Huusk Japan Knives Meat Cleaver Knife Cover
Huusk Meat Cleaver Knife, Hand Forged Butcher Knife for Meat Cutting, Full Tang Viking Knives with Sheath, Japanese Chef Knives for Outdoor Cooking, Camping, BBQ, Christmas Gift for Man and Women

The Huusk Japan Knives Meat Cleaver Knife is a must-have for every kitchen. With its unique handcrafted design, premium Japanese steel and ergonomic oak wood handle, this knife is perfect for cutting and mincing vegetables and meat. The outrageous thickness of the blade makes it less likely to break and delivers a sharp edge that lasts. The Huusk knife is versatile, suitable for camping and outdoor cooking, and comes with an exquisite gift box. The lifetime guarantee ensures customer satisfaction and provides a satisfying shopping experience.

What We Like
Very sharp blade
Excellent value
Comfortable grip
Heavy duty design
Versatile use
#TOP 4

ROCOCO Viking Cleaver Meat Knife

Knife11-pc
Black
6.2 Inches
ROCOCO Viking Cleaver Meat Knife Cover
ROCOCO Viking Cleaver Knife Butcher Meat Cutting Boning Knife Hand Forged Chinese Kitchen Axe with Sheath Home Outdoor BBQ Camping Chirstmas Birthday Chirstmas Mother Father Gift Men

The ROCOCO Viking Cleaver is a versatile kitchen tool that makes slicing meat, fish, chicken, and vegetables easier and more efficient. Its curved blade allows you to use a rocking motion, which means you can cut with less effort and get even chopping results. Made from high-carbon steel, the blade stays sharp longer and handles tough cutting jobs with ease. The walnut handle is designed to fit comfortably in your hand, providing a secure grip and great balance. Whether you’re preparing food at home or outdoors, this cleaver offers both style and practical performance.

What We Like
Very sharp blade
High quality construction
Attractive design
Easy to clean
Versatile usage
#TOP 5

Matsato Japanese Steel Cleaver Knife 5.8 Inch

Matsato
Brown
5.8"
Matsato Japanese Steel Cleaver Knife 5.8 Inch Cover
Matsato Cleaver Knife – Japanese Steel Cooking Butcher Knife for Meat & Vegetables Chopping, 5.8 Inch Kitchen Knife, Christmas Kitchen Gift for Men & Women

The Matsato Steel Cleaver is crafted from high-quality Japanese 3CR13 stainless steel, offering you sharp, long-lasting cutting power perfect for slicing meat, vegetables, and even poultry bones. Weighing only 176 grams, this lightweight knife gives you excellent control and smooth movements, making your chopping tasks easier and more precise. Its 5.8-inch hammered blade helps reduce food sticking, so you can work efficiently without constant interruptions. The ergonomic finger-hole grip ensures a comfortable, secure hold, which enhances your cutting accuracy and safety in the kitchen. All these features make this cleaver a reliable tool for everyday cooking.

What We Like
Extremely sharp blade
Well-balanced design
Heavy duty build
Comfortable handle
Easy to use

imarku 7-Inch Meat Cleaver Knife

I-KC0009
Light Black
imarku 7-Inch Meat Cleaver Knife Cover
imarku Cleaver Knife 7 Inch Meat Cleaver - SUS440A Japan High Carbon Stainless Steel Butcher Knife with Ergonomic Handle, Ultra Sharp Knife, Kitchen Gadgets for Home/Restaurant, Gifts for Men Women

The imarku 7-Inch Meat Cleaver Knife is a multi-purpose cleaver designed for slicing, chopping, mincing, boning and cutting meat, vegetables, and fruits. The blade is hand-sharpened by experienced artisans, with a thin, ultra-sharp blade thickness of 2.3mm, making it easy to resharpen and maintain. The knife is forged from high carbon stainless steel SUS440A for easy maintenance and edge retention. The ergonomic Pakkawood handle ensures a comfortable grip and high maneuverability, making it a great kitchen essential for home and restaurant use.

What We Like
Extremely sharp blade
High-quality construction
Lightweight and easy to handle
Cuts meat and bone effortlessly
Rust-resistant stainless steel
#TOP 7

BOMASS Hand-Forged Japanese Butcher Knife Set

BOMASS
3PCS Butcher Knife Set
BOMASS Hand-Forged Japanese Butcher Knife Set Cover
Butcher Knife Meat Cleaver Knife, Hand Forged Japanese Knife Set of 3, High Carbon Kitchen Knife & Serbian Chef Knife & Boning Knife for Meat Cutting, Outdoor Cooking BBQ Camping Gift for Men

The BOMASS Butcher Knife Set offers you three essential knives: a Viking Knife, a Meat Cleaver, and a Serbian Chef Knife. This variety lets you easily handle everything from slicing vegetables to cutting through tough meat and bones, perfect for both home and outdoor cooking. Crafted from high-carbon Japanese steel, these knives stay sharp longer and resist rust, making your cutting tasks smoother and more precise. The blades feature a sharp V-shaped edge that reduces tearing, while the non-stick coating helps food slide off easily. Plus, the ergonomic wooden handles provide a secure, comfortable grip, so you can work safely and confidently for longer periods.

What We Like
Versatile knife set
High-carbon Japanese steel
Sharp V-shaped blades
Non-stick blade coating
Ergonomic anti-slip handles
#TOP 8

ENOKING 7.5 Inch Hand Forged Meat Cleaver Knife

ENOKING Cleaver Knife
7.5"
ENOKING 7.5 Inch Hand Forged Meat Cleaver Knife Cover
ENOKING 7.5″ Cleaver Knife, Chef’s Knives – Hand Forged, German High Carbon Stainless Steel Butcher Knife with Full Tang Handle for Home Kitchen & Restaurant

The ENOKING 7.5 Inch Hand Forged Meat Cleaver Knife is made of high manganese steel, which makes the blade ultra-solid and maintains sharp edges better than stainless steel. The V-shaped blade edge minimizes cutting resistance for effortless food cutting. The full tang and triple-riveted design of the ergonomic wood handle ensure comfort, maneuverability, and prevent handle breakage. This multi-purpose cleaver knife is suitable for various kitchen tasks, BBQ, hunting, hiking, and camping, and includes an after-sales guarantee from ENOKING.

What We Like
High manganese steel for ultra-solid and sharp blade
Ergonomic wood handle for comfortable, non-slip grip
Full tang and triple-riveted design for durability and maneuverability
#TOP 9

Plys Kitchen Meat Cleaver Knife

cleaver
Silver
8.6"
Plys Kitchen Meat Cleaver Knife Cover
Plys Kitchen Meat Cleaver Knife, Unique Effort Saving Knife Professional Stainless Steel Chef Cooking Knives for Cutting Meat Vegetable Father Mother

The Plys Meat Cleaver is crafted using traditional hand forging techniques, ensuring a durable and sharp blade made from high-quality stainless steel. This means you get a knife that stays sharp longer and resists wear and rust. Its specially curved, hand-polished blade makes cutting food easy and precise, helping you keep the juices and nutrition inside your ingredients. The ergonomic handle is designed to reduce hand fatigue by fitting comfortably in your grip and making your cutting motions more efficient. This thoughtful design lets you work longer in the kitchen without discomfort, making meal prep easier and more enjoyable.

What We Like
Sharp blade
Ergonomic handle
Multi-purpose functionality
Lightweight and balanced
Easy on arthritic hands
#TOP 10

BOMASS Hand Forged 3-Piece Butcher Knife Set

BOMASS
3PCS Butcher Knife Set
3-Piece Set
7.5"
BOMASS Hand Forged 3-Piece Butcher Knife Set Cover
Butcher Knife for Cutting Set of 3, Hand Forged Japanese Meat Cleaver Knife for Cooking, High Carbon Kitchen Knife & Serbian Chef Knife & Boning Knife for Home, Outdoor, Camping, BBQ, Gift for Men

The BOMASS 3-Piece Knife Set offers a versatile trio of knives perfect for all your kitchen needs. This set includes a Serbian-style chef knife, a cleaver, and a Viking knife, each designed to tackle different tasks like slicing vegetables, chopping meat, and splitting bones, making your food prep quicker and easier. The blades are hand-forged from high-carbon steel, ensuring sharpness and durability so you get clean, precise cuts every time. Comfortable wooden handles with finger grooves provide a secure grip, reducing hand fatigue during long cooking sessions. Plus, the hammered blade surface helps prevent food from sticking, making cutting smoother and cleanup faster.

What We Like
Versatile 3-knife set
High-carbon steel blades
Ergonomic wooden handles
Non-stick hammered blades
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are meat cleavers good for?

Meat cleavers are versatile tools that are perfect for tenderizing, mincing, slicing, and even scaling meat. They are especially useful when dealing with whole pieces of meat that still have bones.

2. Why do Chinese chefs only use cleavers?

Chinese chefs prefer cleavers because of their design, which offers great versatility. The broad, rectangular blade with a flat edge, measuring around 6-9 inches long and 4-5 inches wide, allows for chopping through tough ingredients like chicken bones. The heavier blade provides more heft and makes it easier to handle.

3. Why do meat cleavers have a hole?

The hole on a meat cleaver's heavy-duty blade serves a practical purpose. It allows you to hold the upper part of the blade with your fingers, while reinforcing your grip on the handle. This design feature makes it easier to pull the blade free, saving you energy, time, and frustration when cutting through bone.

4. Do cleavers cut through bone?

Yes, meat cleavers are excellent for cutting through tough cuts of meat and small bones, such as those found in chicken. They are also great for mincing meat for hand-ground applications, and their wide, flat side can be used to crush ingredients like garlic, ginger, and lemongrass.

Editor's Notes

During our forged meat cleaver research, we found 24 forged meat cleaver products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 59,117 customer reviews through our big data system to write the forged meat cleavers list. We found that most customers choose forged meat cleavers with an average price of $30.76.

The forged meat cleavers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of forged meat cleavers, including Huusk, HOSHANHO, ROCOCO, Matsato, imarku. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 546 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Written by
Rebecca Cantu Avatar

Rebecca Cantu grew up in a family-owned retail store for home and kitchen products. She worked online and gave assistance to people to buy ideal products for their sweet home after graduating from Northwestern University with a marketing degree. She has been writing content for online shopping guides since 2011 with her professional knowledge and natural sensitivity of appliances.