Why a cleaver blade?

kingston73

kingston73

Joined
Oct 14, 2013
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Just like the title says, I’m just curious about why cleaver blades? Seems like they are becoming more popular and while I like the look I am wondering what advantages and disadvantages they have? I really like the medium Keizer sheepdog with micarta scales but I’m hesitant to get one because I really don’t know anything about these types of blades.
 
i like a cleaver blade, a non-folding one, for kitchen or butchering. with the advent of so many cuts/types of meat the need for a cleaver is somewhat lost in the kitchen and butcher shop. i personally don't see what a small cleaver type blade in a smallish folder is applicable to what uses. but they are popular with many people. that's great, you get what you like and people have jobs making them. actually my favorite use of non-folding cleavers is for throwing. they work really well and penetrate deeply
 
Maybe a bit of novelty to a "new" blade shape?

Looks like a Spey, Sheepsfoot, and a Wharncliffe had a baby.

Seems like draw cuts would be strong and as with Wharcliffe type probable reduction in accidental punctures in unsteady situations, i.e on a boat or really drunk.
 
I, too, wondered about this type of knife. At first I thought it was merely a trend. Some kind of 'hipster thing'.

However, a tall blade like that would have some advantages in the blade geometry department. It could feel really slicey because of it.

Mind you, I have never used one. Am curious to read other people's experiences.
 
Owning one adds 10 Mall Ninja points to your overall score. Here is my cleaver/ straight razor type blades. None of which is good for butchering meat or shaving.

Andre de Villiers- Tac Butcher
Jason Clark- Spanish Tip Razor (custom)
Artisan Cutlery- Tomahawk
Artisan Cutlery- Orthodox

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Not a true cleaver because I wanted a pointy tip.
Benefits of a Wharnie without sacrificing tip strength.
I've often thought of making a blade that follows the straight razor profile for the same reason.
Ultimate slasher.
 
It's different, people buy different. Knifemakers make different knives to increase sales to customers.

I see a use by some if they are contractors or craftsmen, although the cost of these usually prevents them from truly becoming hard-use by most people.
 
I have the Damascus Civivi Mastodon, and for me it’s mostly novelty, but’s has done everything I’ve asked of it. People find it interesting and fun.
 
I liked my vintage Old Hickory (9 inch) cleaver before some Hades bound motherless low-life miserable rotten bitc ............. "borrowed" it without asking.
Worked great when making a whitetail deer fit in the freezer, ad more mundane tasks in the kitchen.

Cleaver blade on a folder? Why bother? Too small. The handle location and shape means you'll rap your fingers if you try to chop anything. A sheepsfoot will do the same tasks on a folding knife.
 
Although I also dislike cleaver style knives, I think aesthetics might actually be a real reason that people might enjoy them. Having a flat "nose" on the knife lends itself to a different visual appeal than many other knives.

Also there could be argued to be a small benefit in longevity. The straight edge acts like a wharncliffe but the height of the blade and the flat front means that over time, as the knife is sharpened, the length and shape of the blade will not change. This means that a cleaver style blade theoretically has a much longer lifespan that many other blade shapes without losing utility or becoming unsafe. So if a person only wanted ONE knife, and their needs could be met by a wharncliffe or sheepsfoot, they could choose a cleaver style instead and get a safer blade with many of the same benefits.
 
Here’s kind of a cleaver blade folder called a pocket Ulu I got in Alaska. They are popular up there. The rounded blade edge works great for finely mincing herbs and foods by rocking it back and forth. It’s not for chopping but It provides good finger clearance and gives you more force advantage and control. You can skin game and clean fish and lots of smaller tasks. I use it on occasion when I think about it. Lol. 631602E4-65B1-453B-98F2-A4510FC27C1F.jpegF015521C-135D-4990-BD38-CBAEEB49064C.jpeg
 
jideta said:
View attachment 1451114

Not a true cleaver because I wanted a pointy tip.
Benefits of a Wharnie without sacrificing tip strength.
I've often thought of making a blade that follows the straight razor profile for the same reason.
Ultimate slasher.
Click to expand...

Gotta say, that’s a really good looking knife. With the addition of that little bit of a point, looks like it would be quite a nice, and useful, EDC.
 
I've been particularly interested in a Forge and Foundry all purpose cleaver in AEB-L with walnut handle, it seems very capable to take on hunts if you want to cleave limbs or just cut frozen chicken parts, i suppose it can be used as a weapon too, if you don't mind making quite a mess, but that's what it does, it "cleaves", so i personally wouldn't use it for anything i didn't want to outright butcher
 
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