Butcher’s Heavy Cleaver

Butcher's Heavy Cleaver — 12.5" Hand-Forged Meat & Bone Cleaver, Made in Nepal

The Butcher's Heavy Cleaver is built for one thing: serious meat and bone work. The 12.5-inch blade is hand-forged from 5160 high-carbon spring steel — the same steel used in our Gurkha kukris — with a 3-inch blade width and forward-weighted balance designed to deliver power on every stroke. This is not a light kitchen knife. At 1.16kg without scabbard, it has the mass to split bone, break down large cuts of meat, and handle the kind of heavy prep work that defeats a standard chef knife.

The full-tang rosewood handle runs 6.5 inches and is reinforced for strength under repeated impact. Total length is 19 inches. The cleaver ships with a traditional wooden scabbard covered in leather — protection during storage and transport. Available in four blade lengths (10, 12, 14, and 16 inches), multiple handle materials, and three blade finishes — all selectable above the Add to Cart button. Free personalisation included on every order.

For a fully bespoke cleaver — custom blade profile, non-standard dimensions, or exotic handle — visit our custom forge service.

How this cleaver is forged

For the complete forging process, see how every Everest Forge blade is forged.

Specifications

Customise your cleaver

Every option is selectable in the dropdown above the Add to Cart button — pricing updates automatically as you choose.

What makes a hand-forged butcher cleaver different?

Factory cleavers are stamped from sheet steel — consistent but thin, with the steel grain running across the blade rather than along it. A hand-forged cleaver is shaped from solid bar stock, which aligns the grain along the blade length and produces a blade that flexes rather than chips under heavy impact. The forward-weighted mass of the Butcher's Heavy Cleaver — 1.16kg in the standard 12-inch configuration — means the blade does most of the work. You guide the stroke; the weight delivers the cut.

The 3-inch blade width also matters for bone work. A narrow blade deflects off dense bone. A wide blade distributes the impact across more surface area and drives through cleanly. Combined with the 5160 steel's toughness at ~58 HRC, this cleaver handles the kind of repeated bone impact that would chip a harder, more brittle blade. For a full guide to hand-forged kitchen tools, read our blog on why hand-forged chef knives outperform factory-made blades.

Who is this for?

• Butchers and meat processors — a serious working tool for daily professional use
• Hunters and field processors — heavy enough for carcass work, manageable at 19 inches total length
• Home cooks doing serious meat prep — breaking down whole chickens, splitting ribs, portioning large roasts
• BBQ enthusiasts — the right tool for breaking down brisket, ribs, and large cuts at the grill
• Gift buyers — a personalised hand-forged cleaver is one of the most memorable gifts for someone who cooks seriously

Also in the collection

Browse the full hand-forged chef & kitchen knives collection — including the Professional Kitchen Knife, Pizza Axe, Serbian Cleaver, Boning Knife, and 25+ more hand-forged kitchen tools. All made in Nepal from 5160 spring steel with free personalisation on every order.

Frequently asked questions