What is a Cleaver?
A cleaver is a specialized type of heavy bladed broad knife which is primarily used by butchers and Chinese chefs, although it has been adopted by other cultures as well. In basic design, a cleaver most resembles a hatchet, with a sturdy squared blade anchored to a strong short handle so that the cleaver can be used with brute force to chop through bone, coconuts, and other heavy items. A well sharpened cleaver can also be used for fine work like chopping and shredding vegetables, and many Chinese cooks use a cleaver for all their knife work, rather than a set of chef’s knives. The design of a cleaver can vary slightly: some have a blade which is slightly curved or tapered, for example. As a general rule, however, the square blade has a razor sharp edge that is kept sharp through regular sharpening and proper use. Some cleavers are molded as a single piece, with a metal handle that blends with the blade, while others have a wooden handle mounted onto the blade. In both instances, the h
