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How can you not want this knife? Just one look at the blade. One listen to the story behind it. Any knife loving collector will find it hard to resist!
For over a year we have been buying knives from a company in Vietnam that we discovered by pure chance. We started off with a very simple and very rough santoku. But during that time we have seen a huge improvement in the knives they send as and an ever increasing diversity to those knives in terms of styles and profiles.
Enter the Kiri Cleaver! As the name suggests, this unique blade is basically a kiritsuke-tipped cleaver. It has a fairly substantial curve to the edge, making it a rocker’s dream. But the tanto tip makes it a better choice for more delicate slicing and food prep. Also, the reverse angle tip means there is a lower spine-to-edge ratio. Less spine, less weight. In this case we think it represents almost a 2oz saving over a regular cleaver of similar dimensions! (Please note that all measurements are approximates.)
The blades themselves are fashioned from old leaf springs. These auto cast offs are actually a great source of knife steel, usually being made from 5160 steel. A well finished and good looking octagonal handle finishes off this unusual but very practical cutting tool.Blacksmith: Daovua
Location: Vietnam
Construction: Mono Steel Hammer Forged
Steel Type: Leaf Spring Steel (Recycled Carbon Steel)
Weight: 8.2 ounces
Blade Length: 182 mm
Total Length: 330 mm
Spine Thickness at Base: 2.8 mm
Blade Height: 87.0 mm
Handle: Octagonal (they vary from knife to knife)
For over a year we have been buying knives from a company in Vietnam that we discovered by pure chance. We started off with a very simple and very rough santoku. But during that time we have seen a huge improvement in the knives they send as and an ever increasing diversity to those knives in terms of styles and profiles.
Enter the Kiri Cleaver! As the name suggests, this unique blade is basically a kiritsuke-tipped cleaver. It has a fairly substantial curve to the edge, making it a rocker’s dream. But the tanto tip makes it a better choice for more delicate slicing and food prep. Also, the reverse angle tip means there is a lower spine-to-edge ratio. Less spine, less weight. In this case we think it represents almost a 2oz saving over a regular cleaver of similar dimensions! (Please note that all measurements are approximates.)
The blades themselves are fashioned from old leaf springs. These auto cast offs are actually a great source of knife steel, usually being made from 5160 steel. A well finished and good looking octagonal handle finishes off this unusual but very practical cutting tool.
Product Reviews
Good value, September 28, 2020 It's the same as Hanoi Spring Rolls - Unexpected Joy, September 23, 2020Posted By: Douglas
Having spent a bit of time traveling Southeast Asia and China, I've always been intriqued by Chinese Cleavers. I almost bought a clever in a market place in Hanoi about six years ago, but decided against it. This cleaver was my mulligan and what a shot it was- a hole in one. I have rarely been able to get a knife as sharp as I have been able to as I did with this knife. The blade is straight, the handle very well made and artistic for what it is, and of course the knife itself screams of being forged by a hammer. I touched my arm by accident with it and it left a perfect cut - with just a touch. Anyway, I am primarily a cook - a mechanic in the kitchen. I prefer tools that can take a beating, get scratched up, and keep working. Will this clever do that? I honestly don't know, but I am also a "fisherman" and a part of my preparation is preparing stories to go with the meals I serve. Tools that scream out visually can enhance almost any meal by adding another level of sensory perception. For someone who fashions themselve a practitioner rather than a philousopher, I really like this clever. It's scary looking, screams of another time and place, and most of all, you can't ignore it when you lay it on the table with the food.
Having spent a bit of time traveling Southeast Asia and China, I've always been intriqued by Chinese Cleavers. I almost bought a clever in a market place in Hanoi about six years ago, but decided against it. This cleaver was my mulligan and what a shot it was- a hole in one. I have rarely been able to get a knife as sharp as I have been able to as I did with this knife. The blade is straight, the handle very well made and artistic for what it is, and of course the knife itself screams of being forged by a hammer. I touched my arm by accident with it and it left a perfect cut - with just a touch. Anyway, I am primarily a cook - a mechanic in the kitchen. I prefer tools that can take a beating, get scratched up, and keep working. Will this clever do that? I honestly don't know, but I am also a "fisherman" and a part of my preparation is preparing stories to go with the meals I serve. Tools that scream out visually can enhance almost any meal by adding another level of sensory perception. For someone who fashions themselve a practitioner rather than a philousopher, I really like this clever. It's scary looking, screams of another time and place, and most of all, you can't ignore it when you lay it on the table with the food.
Disappointed , July 24, 2020Posted By: Aaron - verified customer
4 people found this review helpful
The quality of the kiri cleaver I received was not even up to normal Dao Vua standards. The steel is rediculously soft to the point that each strop on a whetstone creates a burr on the opposite edge. There is also red dyed epoxy from attaching the handle on the blade. This knife maker makes much better blades, I guess I was just unlucky and got one that wasn’t heat treated properly.
4 people found this review helpful
The quality of the kiri cleaver I received was not even up to normal Dao Vua standards. The steel is rediculously soft to the point that each strop on a whetstone creates a burr on the opposite edge. There is also red dyed epoxy from attaching the handle on the blade. This knife maker makes much better blades, I guess I was just unlucky and got one that wasn’t heat treated properly.
Great Knife, May 31, 2020 Awesome for the price, May 5, 2020
Good not great, March 16, 2020Posted By: knifeneophyte - verified customer
Purchased this kiri cleaver because I couldn't find the Shibata Tank in stock. It is a fun knife and the shape is my absolute favorite. Daovua does an acceptable job overall. The handle is nice and the look of the knife is pleasing but the kurouchi comes off quite easily. Cut some potatoes and it got the job done but there was no real thrill in the task. I commend Daovua for recycling and making good functional knives.
Purchased this kiri cleaver because I couldn't find the Shibata Tank in stock. It is a fun knife and the shape is my absolute favorite. Daovua does an acceptable job overall. The handle is nice and the look of the knife is pleasing but the kurouchi comes off quite easily. Cut some potatoes and it got the job done but there was no real thrill in the task. I commend Daovua for recycling and making good functional knives.
Fun, March 2, 2020Posted By: Gudmundur Arnason - verified customer
I had a lot of fun, cleaning and sanding my Daovua knives and sharpening them and now they are all poison sharp as we say in the Land of Ice. My favorite is the Kiri Cleaver. I don´t know how long they hold the edge because they are all still razor poison sharp!
I had a lot of fun, cleaning and sanding my Daovua knives and sharpening them and now they are all poison sharp as we say in the Land of Ice. My favorite is the Kiri Cleaver. I don´t know how long they hold the edge because they are all still razor poison sharp!
Better than I expected , February 26, 2020 Awesome, February 8, 2020 Very Interesting and Great Story, January 16, 2020Posted By: Kris Topher
2 people found this review helpful
Just got this knife and the 210mm Gyuto. Has an incredible feel to the even though a little light. Balance point is right where I pinch the blade. Pretty sharp out of the box, but a few minutes on my stone and I could shave with it! Love the barefoot blacksmith story! Both of these knives look and feel great. Will be ordering more from DaoVua!
2 people found this review helpful
Just got this knife and the 210mm Gyuto. Has an incredible feel to the even though a little light. Balance point is right where I pinch the blade. Pretty sharp out of the box, but a few minutes on my stone and I could shave with it! Love the barefoot blacksmith story! Both of these knives look and feel great. Will be ordering more from DaoVua!
I love this knife!!!, January 12, 2020Posted By: Tom Dickinson
I used this knife to chop up vegetables for stew and I love it. Great weight on it, great shape and it's totally unique. I will be using this a lot. My only question is will you be carrying the sayas for these knives? I'd really like to purchase one. Awesome blade!! Thank you Mark and Chef Knives To Go!!
I used this knife to chop up vegetables for stew and I love it. Great weight on it, great shape and it's totally unique. I will be using this a lot. My only question is will you be carrying the sayas for these knives? I'd really like to purchase one. Awesome blade!! Thank you Mark and Chef Knives To Go!!
Just purchased this knife , January 4, 2020Posted By: Tom Dickinson
I have zero complaints when it comes to Daovua's knives. I am sending my nephew a tall Nakiri, a Kiritsuke, and he always has a bunka knife. I just ordered this beauty and I am looking forward to using it. Another work of art by a great company.
I have zero complaints when it comes to Daovua's knives. I am sending my nephew a tall Nakiri, a Kiritsuke, and he always has a bunka knife. I just ordered this beauty and I am looking forward to using it. Another work of art by a great company.
Fantastic for veggies!!!, October 6, 2019Posted By: Igg
1 people found this review helpful
I have a few Dao Vua knives and found the size/shape of this interesting. I wasn't sure what it would be like in use, but after sharpening it and using for a bit now, it is my favorite knife to use! I haven't used it to cut proteins at all, but for prepping veggies it works remarkably well! The height/weight were a little odd at first but that went away quickly. Another great knife from Dao Vua!
1 people found this review helpful
I have a few Dao Vua knives and found the size/shape of this interesting. I wasn't sure what it would be like in use, but after sharpening it and using for a bit now, it is my favorite knife to use! I haven't used it to cut proteins at all, but for prepping veggies it works remarkably well! The height/weight were a little odd at first but that went away quickly. Another great knife from Dao Vua!
Cleaver, September 30, 2019Posted By: mjj - verified customer
Not too sure about this one yet. These blades are really good, sharp right out of the box, pretty reactive. The shape of this one is offputting for me. The handle is pretty light, so it is a bit awkward to use. Maybe in time I will become accustomed to it, but right now of the four knives I bought from this line, it has been the least used.
Not too sure about this one yet. These blades are really good, sharp right out of the box, pretty reactive. The shape of this one is offputting for me. The handle is pretty light, so it is a bit awkward to use. Maybe in time I will become accustomed to it, but right now of the four knives I bought from this line, it has been the least used.
Amazing Value, August 13, 2019Posted By: Brian - verified customer
This is a fantastic knife for the price. It's a great, unique shape that is nearly worth the cost as a display piece. I was initially concerned about the fit and finish, but it exceeded my expectations. The blade also seems to be quite reactive, so it'll develop a nice patina over time to match the kurouchi finish. The handle is far nicer than I expected too.
This is a fantastic knife for the price. It's a great, unique shape that is nearly worth the cost as a display piece. I was initially concerned about the fit and finish, but it exceeded my expectations. The blade also seems to be quite reactive, so it'll develop a nice patina over time to match the kurouchi finish. The handle is far nicer than I expected too.
STEAL for the price, August 2, 2019Posted By: Julien Cohen - verified customer
3 people found this review helpful
Look, this is not a Japanese master bladesmith putting out artifact level perfection. It's a hell of a $70 knife.
I was looking for an extremely tall santoku-like blade to mirror one I saw Brad Leone using on It's Alive with Brad, and didn't want to spend a few hundred for the recent Fell Knives Big Boy collaboration.
Comes extremely sharp out of the box. Fit and finish is great for the price, not bad overall. Handle is boxy but fits well in my hand. I recommend scrubbing the forge scale (black part of the blade) with some barkeeper's friend or similar product to remove some of the grime from the forge. Blade itself is nicely thinned out, and handles well for delicate slicing and mincing. Excited to see Daovua's products as they get even better.
3 people found this review helpful
Look, this is not a Japanese master bladesmith putting out artifact level perfection. It's a hell of a $70 knife.
I was looking for an extremely tall santoku-like blade to mirror one I saw Brad Leone using on It's Alive with Brad, and didn't want to spend a few hundred for the recent Fell Knives Big Boy collaboration.
Comes extremely sharp out of the box. Fit and finish is great for the price, not bad overall. Handle is boxy but fits well in my hand. I recommend scrubbing the forge scale (black part of the blade) with some barkeeper's friend or similar product to remove some of the grime from the forge. Blade itself is nicely thinned out, and handles well for delicate slicing and mincing. Excited to see Daovua's products as they get even better.
Keeps getting better, July 12, 2019Posted By: Timothy C.
This is probably the 40th daovua knife i have purchased. They keep getting better. I had one of the first bunka they made about a year ago and I am in contact with the owner in vietnam. I told him as i say on here, TOTALLY worth the money. the blades are now very nice and thin as you can see in the picture and the handles have become immensely better, very smooth and glued up very well. The edge is refined and alot smoother. Its still rustic as far as knives go but as the title says, they just keep getting better.
This is probably the 40th daovua knife i have purchased. They keep getting better. I had one of the first bunka they made about a year ago and I am in contact with the owner in vietnam. I told him as i say on here, TOTALLY worth the money. the blades are now very nice and thin as you can see in the picture and the handles have become immensely better, very smooth and glued up very well. The edge is refined and alot smoother. Its still rustic as far as knives go but as the title says, they just keep getting better.
I like the look of this knife. , July 1, 2019Posted By: Tom D Dickinson
I own three Daovua knives and I really like the look of this. I just purchased the tall Nakiri and a Kiritsuke but this knife is drawing me in. I like the look and the practicality of it and it could be either called a Kiri Cleaver or a Tall Bunka. Very nice blade. May purchase soon.
I own three Daovua knives and I really like the look of this. I just purchased the tall Nakiri and a Kiritsuke but this knife is drawing me in. I like the look and the practicality of it and it could be either called a Kiri Cleaver or a Tall Bunka. Very nice blade. May purchase soon.
Interesting knife, June 29, 2019Posted By: Bob Z
1 people found this review helpful
I got this cause it looked interesting and might be fun to try as a tall nakiri. This is more of a cleaver with a belly and a bit too tall for me but it will prolly be a great herb chopper. My version only weighed 73/8 oz and the rest of the specs are about the same as listed.
This is my second Daovua and I have to say, the fit and finish is vastly superior compared to the first batch last year. And they did an awesome job on the handle as well. Mine came pretty sharp and with a few minutes of stropping was perfect.
1 people found this review helpful
I got this cause it looked interesting and might be fun to try as a tall nakiri. This is more of a cleaver with a belly and a bit too tall for me but it will prolly be a great herb chopper. My version only weighed 73/8 oz and the rest of the specs are about the same as listed.
This is my second Daovua and I have to say, the fit and finish is vastly superior compared to the first batch last year. And they did an awesome job on the handle as well. Mine came pretty sharp and with a few minutes of stropping was perfect.
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