Best Vegetable Cleavers of 2025

"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 was really impressed with the quality and durability of this cleaver. It's medium-large and has a nice heft. Right out of the box, it was very sharp, allowing me to slice through avocados cleanly without bruising them. Just be careful with it; my daughter accidentally dropped it and cut her finger!"

"I absolutely love this cleaver! It's sharp and effortlessly chops through veggies and more. I've even ordered another one as a gift because it's become such a staple in my kitchen!"

"This is the first cleaver I've ever purchased, and I'm thrilled with my choice. It made preparing my dog's raw food a breeze, and the weight distribution really helped with ease of use. For less than $12, it's a fantastic deal!"

"I truly appreciate the weight of this knife. It's comfortable to use and gorgeous to look at. The wide blade allows me to easily scoop up whatever I've cut."

"This knife has transformed my cheese cutting experience. I used to struggle with the smaller HS knife, but now I can slice through cheese wheels effortlessly. It's definitely my new favorite for cutting cheese!"

"As my first Hammer Stahl knife, I am absolutely loving it! This knife is beautiful, perfectly balanced, and extremely sharp. Although I haven't had it long enough for a thorough review, I'm excited to replace all my knives with the Hammer Stahl line."

"I purchased the full block from Costco and added this knife. It doesn’t fit in the block, but I got the magnetic wood holder that makes it SUPER nice. This knife is amazing—great weight, super sharp, and beautiful. I definitely recommend it!"

"I anxiously waited over a month for this 7-inch nakiri knife to arrive. It’s beautifully crafted with excellent grip and well sharpened. However, the bolster is tall and sharp, making a pinch grip uncomfortable. A club grip works better for me."

"This is my new favorite knife in the kitchen! The hand feel is really nice, and the blade came razor sharp. After four months of use, it has been easy to keep it razor sharp. Definitely well worth the money!"

"I have several Cangshan N1 knives and absolutely LOVE each one. The blade is amazingly sharp and maintains its edge for a long time, even with daily use. The balance is incredible, and I enjoy the feel of the handle. This cleaver is extremely well made and heavy-duty; the one-piece design is a great feature. Whenever friends come over, they want to know where I got these knives. I’m confident these will last me a long time as I love to cook!"

"This vegetable cleaver is awesome! I used it on a cucumber, and it worked perfectly. The balance is great, and the handle feels good during use. It looks superb next to my other knives. If you own any N1 series knives, this is a must-have!"

"While I adore the knife, I find the handle uncomfortable. My hand doesn’t sit properly, and it becomes slippery when wet. I do own five other knives from this company, and they are all 5-star products."

“I now own all their knives, and I absolutely love each one. This cleaver is not only beautiful but also feels incredibly comfortable in my hand. I can tell these are professional-grade knives that will last a lifetime if taken care of properly.”

“I have three of these knives and I love how light and versatile it is. My wrists feel great after a day of prep. However, I’m frustrated that it rusts quickly and I have to constantly oil it.”

“As a knife enthusiast, I appreciate this thin knife for vegetable preparation. It’s a pleasure to use compared to bulkier knives that wedge into food. My main issues are the rough handle wood and the upswing at the heel, which seems unnecessary.”

“I was looking for an authentic Chinese veggie knife, and this one fits the bill! It’s incredibly sharp and easy to handle. I’m still mastering the technique, but it’s been a great addition to my kitchen.”

"I’ve always wanted a Chinese cleaver, inspired by Martin Yan from 'Yan Can Cook.' After searching for the right one, I found SHI BA ZI ZOU. This 8-inch cleaver fits perfectly in my knife block. Upon arrival, I was thrilled; it was incredibly sharp right out of the box. The craftsmanship is impressive, especially for the price. The rosewood handle is comfortable and provides a secure grip. This knife is a true workhorse, making prep work a breeze!"

"I had been transitioning from traditional chef knives to a cleaver for quite some time. Most western-style cleavers are too blunt for my liking. I discovered this Asian-style cleaver and decided to give it a try. I’m pleased to say that it has exceeded my expectations. I've adapted my chopping technique and now find it much easier to work with. The high-carbon steel is impressive, but I always hand wash and dry it immediately to maintain its quality. Overall, it's a fantastic kitchen instrument!"

"I recently picked this cleaver up after hearing positive feedback from other cooks, and I was pleasantly surprised by its performance. The Chacate Preto wood handle not only looks stunning but also feels great to hold, giving me a firm grip. It cuts through vegetables with ease, thanks to its 59 Rockwell hardness, making it extremely sharp and durable. I've used it on tough veggies like squash and carrots, and it has held its sharpness well over time. While it requires a bit of care due to the wood handle, the performance is worth it. Overall, it's a high-quality vegetable cleaver that I highly recommend!"

"I’ve always wanted a lightweight Chinese or Japanese vegetable cleaver for finer chopping, and this one is just what I needed. It's thin yet strong, with a comfortable handle made of Chacate Preto wood. However, I was surprised by its weight; it's the heaviest cleaver I own at 1.5 pounds. Despite its heft, it’s the sharpest and most beautiful cleaver in my collection. If you're looking for a sturdy and sharp tool, this is it!"

"The Nomware cleaver is a well-designed utensil made from 9cr stainless steel. It boasts a 59 Rockwell hardness, making it perfect for kitchen use. The cleaver’s sharpness allows me to chop through everything effortlessly, and the edge retention means less frequent sharpening. I love its fully forged construction, which ensures stability and precision during cuts. While it's excellent for vegetables and boneless meats, it's not meant for cutting through bones. Overall, it has become an essential addition to my kitchen tools!"

"As a Chinese cook, I only need a good vegetable knife for my kitchen tasks. I was on the lookout for a replacement for my old knife from China, and Shun turned out to be a fantastic choice. It's slightly larger, yet much lighter and thinner, making it a joy to use. The sharpness is incredible—it slices through carrots and tomatoes effortlessly!"

"I've found that Japanese steel knives like Shun require a different cutting technique than Western styles. If you're not familiar, I recommend doing some research before purchasing. This cleaver is my favorite for vegetable prep—slicing, mincing, and shredding has never been so satisfying. The price is also reasonable compared to other professional Japanese knives!"

"This cleaver is larger than I expected, and the balance can feel a bit off at first. However, I appreciate how it minimizes wrist fatigue during long chopping sessions. The fit and finish are excellent, and it glides through even hard vegetables effortlessly. The 'D' shaped handle is a minor issue for me, but it doesn't detract from its overall use."