Cleavers

A solid, heavyweight cleaver is the perfect tool for chopping through meat and poultry bones, and is sure to have you feeling just like a contestant on Iron Chef. Cleavers for home use are typically around 6 inches long, with a wide rigid blade which tapers to a sharp cutting edge. A cleaver can be used to chop, shred, pound or crush food. Look for a blade that is thick, somewhat heavy and well balanced allowing for ease of chopping through vegetables or materials as hard as bone. The flat blunt side of the blade can be used to pulverize meat. If the handle is flat on the end it may be used to crush seeds, garlic or other similar ingredients.