Daovua 52100 Small Cleaver 200mm

The small cleaver - sometimes called a Chinese vegetable cleaver - is a different tool from the heavy bone-splitting cleavers most Western cooks picture when they hear the word. Despite the tall, rectangular blade, this is a precision instrument: thin behind the edge, ground for slicing and chopping rather than splitting, and well-suited for cooks who want the flat edge of a nakiri with the added height and mass that makes push-cutting through large quantities of produce fast and efficient. Daovua hand-forges this one from 52100 carbon alloy steel imported from the United States - a steel originally developed in 1905 for ball bearings and now widely respected for its fine carbide structure and ability to take and hold a keen edge.

At 10.2 oz and 90mm of blade height, this has enough mass to do real work without being unwieldy. The kurouchi (black as-forged) finish covers the blade surface and the hammered texture gives it visual character - though as one reviewer notes, the kurouchi coating is dark and uniform enough that the hammer marks are more subtle in person than in the photos. The octagonal handle varies in color and wood type from knife to knife, which is part of the handmade nature of these blades. Sharp out of the box and professionally tested, with both reviewers putting it straight to work in a commercial kitchen environment.

What Customers Are Saying: Both reviewers tested this in professional kitchen settings and came away highly satisfied. A chef described taking it to work the day it arrived and reporting it passed every test he put it to. A second reviewer purchased it alongside the 52100 gyuto and noted the cleaver arrived sharper out of the box, praised the handle quality and the kurouchi finish, and called it outstanding value. Both noted the fast shipping from CKTG as part of a positive overall experience.

• Brand: Daovua
• Construction: Mono Steel, Hand Forged
• Steel: 52100 Carbon Alloy (USA)
• Finish: Kurouchi, Hammered
• Handle: Octagonal (color and wood type vary)
• Weight: 10.2 oz (290 g)
• Blade Length: 201 mm
• Total Length: 344 mm
• Spine Thickness at Heel: 3 mm
• Blade Height: 90 mm

Care Instructions: 52100 is a reactive carbon steel - wipe and dry the blade immediately after every use. The tall blade height means more surface area exposed to moisture, so thorough drying matters. Avoid leaving acidic foods on the blade. Apply a light coat of camellia oil after use and for any storage longer than a day or two. A patina will develop with use and provides natural protection - let it build. Hand wash only, sharpen on quality water stones, and hone regularly between sharpenings. Each knife is made by hand so all measurements are approximations.