Beware of fake Damascus Cleaver knives with patterned designs and low prices. Every Damascus steel cleaver knife featured here has been thoroughly tested for months before being reviewed.
After researching 45+ Damascus cleavers and using 18 of them, I carefully selected these knives based on the following specific criteria.
- Reputable brands specializing in Damascus cleavers
- Blades crafted from high-quality, authentic Damascus steel
- Perfectly finished, full-tang, well-balanced handle
- Non-slip, comfortable grip for easy handling and maneuverability
- Cleavers backed by a rock-solid lifetime warranty
What’s the Best Damascus Cleaver Knife?
- DALSTRONG 7-inch AUS-10V 67-Layer Damascus Cleaver Knife – Top-Rated
- SHUN 7-inch VG-MAX 67-Layer Damascus Cleaver Knife – Premium-Quality
- HEXCLAD 7-inch AUS-10 67-Layer Damascus Cleaver Knife – Best-Selling
- KYOKU 7-inch VG10 67-Layer Damascus Cleaver Knife – Most-Agile
- HUUSK 7-inch VG10 67-Layer Damascus Cleaver Knife – Most-Affordable
Best Damascus Steel Cleaver Knife
1. DALSTRONG 7-inch Damascus Cleaver Knife
Dalstrong is one of my favorite brands in the cutlery industry. This cleaver arrived beautifully packaged in its pristine condition and an embossed sheath was also included.
Blade: The 7-inch long and 2.5mm thick blade is Asian cleaver style. The blade has a core of premium AUS-10V steel and a cladding of 33 layers of high carbon stainless steel on both sides, for a total of 67 layers of super Damascus steel.
I tested it for two months by cutting up vegetables, fruits, meat, chicken, and boneless pork. The thin razor-sharp cleaver has just the right amount of heft, so I got a much better performance than I expected.
Besides, the dicing, slicing, chopping, smashing, and mincing tasks were a breeze when prepping a quick dinner. Its hammered finish ensures that no food sticks to the blade and the wide blade helps to move items from the chopping block to the stove easily.
Handle: The cleaver’s G-10 handle is expertly crafted with a full tang for exceptional durability and triple rivets to enhance its resilience. Using this cleaver was an absolute pleasure to me. Its exceptional balance made it feel like a natural extension of my arm, enhancing precision and control.
The ergonomic handle minimizes wrist fatigue during extended use, while its perfect heft allows for powerful, precise cuts – whether chopping ingredients quickly or dissecting a chicken with ease.
Others: I would recommend getting into the habit of hand washing and drying the cleaver immediately after each use and storing it safely in its sheath.
Pros
- Straight edge for a consistent cut
- Holds an edge well & easy to sharpen
- Accommodates various hand sizes
- Handle is comfortable and non-slip
- Great cleaver for a variety of uses
- Lifetime warranty & money back guarantee
- It’s an immense value for money
Cons
- Medium-duty cleaver
2. SHUN 7-inch VG-MAX Damascus Cleaver Knife
The knife was delivered to me nicely packaged, but there was no protective sheath included other than a temporary cardboard cover. After using it every day for the past three months, I can confidently say it will become one of your go-to knives.
Blade: This 7-inch high-performance cleaver features a premium VG-MAX super steel cutting core. Its Damascus cladding consists of 34 layers of stainless steel on both sides, creating a total of 69 layers for unmatched toughness and elegance. The razor-sharp blade is lighter and slightly curved, perfect for delicate and faster dinner prep.
This knife handles every task with precision and ease, whether thinly slicing beef or chicken, chopping onions and herbs, finely mincing shallots and garlic, slicing tomatoes, or dicing potatoes, yams, carrots, and eggplants. The width of the blade makes it easy to gather and transfer chopped ingredients directly into my pans or pots. Using it has been an absolute pleasure.
Handle: The D-shaped handle is crafted from ebony PakkaWood and features a full tang for maximum robustness. It includes a subtle ridge on the right side that fits comfortably into the curl of my fingers, ensuring a very tight grip. The Japanese style handle remains easy to control, even when wet or sweaty. Also, its wooden construction provides a warm and comfortable feel in my hand.
Others: If you want the knife to last a long time, your best practice should always be to hand wash it immediately after each use, towel dry it, and put it back in its block.
Pros
- Blade steel is precision heat treated
- It strongly takes and holds an edge
- Handle is waterproof for easy cleaning
- Easier to hold & is wonderfully balanced
- No fatigue during prolonged cutting
- Price is fairly high but worth every penny
- Shun offers a lifetime warranty
Cons
- Blade’s brittleness is a concern
- Bone or hard items are off-limits for this cleaver
3. HEXCLAD 7-inch Damascus Cleaver Knife
As a fan of Gordon Ramsay, I was eager to try the HexClad cleaver. The cleaver arrived in luxurious packaging with a lovely storage case. However, I was disappointed by the lack of a sturdy blade protector, as a hard plastic shield.
Blade: The 7-inch blade is made from 67 layers of Damascus steel with an AUS-10 steel core, using the 3-step Honbazuke method. It arrived fairly-sharp and I tested it by chopping up pork, thicker cutting of boneless meats, separating lamb chops, and slicing through dense starches like carrots, squash, celery, and sweet potatoes. I must say that the cleaver did the cutting tasks effortlessly as if slicing butter with a hot knife.
Although it’s not suitable for heavy-duty bone chopping due to its lightweight build, but perfect for tasks like cutting chicken backbones or prepping fibrous and tough veggies. Its dimpled blade design minimizes food sticking and simplifies cleaning, making food prep more efficient. The knife maintained its sharpness impressively, I only had to sharpen it once after two weeks of heavy use.
Handle: The 4.5-inch forest green Pakkawood handle on this cleaver is both ergonomic and visually stunning. Plus, its full tang construction with sturdy bolsters ensures durability and longevity for years to come.
The rounded handle is easy to grip and the textured surface provides a non-slip grip even with wet or sweaty hands. It feels great in my hand, and the balanced weight makes chopping effortless while reducing fatigue and finger pains during longer prep sessions.
Maintenance: I always hand wash this cleaver and avoid the dishwasher. Frequent honing and a mineral oil wipe keep it rust-free. With proper care, it’s a tool that should last a lifetime.
Pros
- It is a pleasure to cut/slice veggies/fruits
- Keeps a sharp edge for a long time
- Lovely handle fits nicely in my large hand
- Handle is waterproof, no bacteria harboring
- It can virtually replace most of your knives
- Lifetime warranty against manufacturer’s defects
- Price is fairly high but it’s worth the money
Cons
- It is not meant for chopping heavy bones
4. KYOKU 7-inch Damascus Cleaver Knife
The knife came in a wonderfully display box with a black sheath for storage, perfect for gift-giving.
Blade: The 7-inch cleaver knife is expertly crafted from 67 layers of Damascus steel, where the Japanese VG10 cutting core is encased in 66 layers of stainless steel Damascus cladding for exceptional sharpness and beauty.
The blade is a bit thick and heavy, yet delivers precise control for swift slicing. It arrived very sharp from the factor. I have cut through vegetables, fruits, chicken, pork, and boneless meats, which it did quickly with minimal effort.
I enjoy how the wide blade allows me to easily scoop and transfer vegetables to a pan or container at once. Following two months of heavy use, I noticed the blade had become dull and wasn’t cutting as efficiently. It didn’t take long to get the sharp edge and perform like new again.
Handle: This knife boasts a triple-riveted G10 handle with full-tang construction. The handle’s textured surface offers a secure and pinch grip, even on my wet hands. Its Western design not only feels comfortable and easy to hold but also significantly reduces fatigue and finger strain during prolonged use.
Other: It’s best to avoid putting it in the dishwasher. Hand washing after each use and immediately drying with a soft towel is highly recommended.
Pros
- Go-to knife for almost everything
- Excellent precision when slicing quickly
- Handle fits quite nicely into my large grip
- Optimal balance point for maximum control
- Budget-friendly Damascus steel cleaver
- KYOKU gives a lifetime warranty
Cons
- It is a bit heavier
5. HUUSK 7-inch Damascus Cleaver Knife
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Damascus Meat/Vegetable Cleaver Knife (FAQ)
Question: What is a Damascus cleaver knife used for?
Answer: A Damascus cleaver knife is ideal for slicing, chopping, and dicing herbs, vegetables, fruits, and boneless meats. In addition, its sturdy and wide blade can mash and serve as a spatula, the back works as a scraper and tenderizer, and the handle’s end is perfect for pulverizing.
Question: What should not be cut with a Damascus cleaver knife?
Answer: Avoid cutting frozen foods, thick bones, and hard veggies or fruits with a Damascus cleaver knife, as these can damage its thin, hard and super sharp edge.
Question: How to care for a Damascus cleaver knife?
Answer: Hand wash with warm water or mild soap, dry immediately with a soft towel to prevent rust, and store safely. Regularly oil the blade, avoid cutting hard items, and use a whetstone for sharpening to maintain its performance. Avoid cutting on hard surfaces like glass, porcelain, or marble.
Question: How to sharpen a Damascus cleaver knife?
Answer: Sharpen a Damascus cleaver knife using a whetstone, starting with a coarse grit and progressing to finer grits. Maintain a consistent angle and finish with honing for a razor-sharp edge. Always use a high-quality whetstone or ceramic rod.
Question: Who mainly uses a Damascus cleaver knife?
Answer: Professional chefs, home cooks, and meat enthusiasts primarily use Damascus cleaver knives for chopping, slicing, and dicing.