Cleavers

Commercial cleavers for heavy-duty cutting

When breaking down large cuts of meat, you need a meat cleaver that delivers power, control, and repeatable results. Highgate Group stocks professional meat cleaver options from Victorinox, Dexter, and F.Dick — five models covering key blade lengths, handle systems, and weights so you can match the tool to the job.

What’s in this range

• Victorinox Kitchen Cleaver, 18 cm (343 g) - Compact and well balanced for agile board work while retaining enough mass for jointing and portioning.
   
• F.Dick Cleaver, 23 cm (1.5 kg) - Premium chromium-molybdenum stainless steel with an ultra-bevelled cutting edge for durability when working around bone and tougher tissue. Alternatively, there’s the F.Dick Cleaver, 18 cm (0.9 kg), a lighter stainless model for faster cadence and positive control over repeated strikes.
   
• Dexter 18 cm High-Carbon, Rosewood - Classic high-carbon steel with timber handle; 180 mm long blade, 115 mm high, 6.5 mm thick — built for heavy chopping through the toughest sections.
   
• Dexter 18 cm SaniSafe (White) - High-carbon option with a sealed, hygienic handle system for high-throughput production.

Why choose a heavy duty cleaver from Highgate Group?

A quality meat cleaver knife pairs a thick, rectangular blade with a robust spine, letting the tool deliver more force with less effort. On connective tissue and small bones, that mass translates into clean, straight cuts; on boneless meat and flesh, the broad face stabilises the stroke for fast batching and accurate slicing. 

Use the flat side to crush garlic or ginger, then lift the sliced product from the cutting board without dulling the edge. Switch to other knives designed for precision for fine trimming or detailed boning.

Blade material matters. Choose stainless steel (e.g. F.Dick) for corrosion resistance and easy sanitising between shifts, or high-carbon steel (e.g. Dexter) when you prefer a harder edge that’s quick to bring back on a steel during service. 

Victorinox’s balanced 18 cm model provides a nimble alternative when board control and speed are the priority.

Selecting the right specs for your workflow

Get the balance right, and your cleaver will all do the hard work for you. When selecting a meat cleaver, consider the following. 

Weight and control

Too heavy and operators fatigue; too light and you’ll work harder for the same cut. Aim for a weight that carries through cartilage and small bone without bouncing, while remaining comfortable over a full shift. Highgate’s range spans 343 g (Victorinox 18 cm) through 550–650 g (Dexter 18 cm) up to 800 g and 1.5 kg in the F.Dick 18 cm and 23 cm models, so you can tune the tool to the task.

Handle style

Choose between polypropylene (non-slip, ergonomic, easy to sanitise) and traditional hardwood (warm in hand, preferred by some operators). Both are proven in industry; it comes down to site hygiene protocols and user preference.

Blade material

High-carbon steel delivers a very hard, sharp blade and greater wear resistance, but needs attentive care to prevent rusting. Stainless steel is easier to look after and resists corrosion, though it won’t hold an edge as long and may require more frequent sharpening. Match material to team skill level and maintenance routines.

Blade length and profile

A compact 18 cm cleaver knife is agile on the board for portioning and light bone work; the 23 cm F.Dick (1.5 kg) adds momentum for breaking down thick meat and tougher sections. If you process mixed products, many sites carry a lighter and a heavier meat cleaver knife to cover all stations.

Hardness target

As a general guide, professional knives in our programme have HRC 55–57, a practical balance between edge retention and re-sharpening efficiency that suits high-throughput environments. Cleavers are typically harder than, say, boning knives.

Cutting meat is simpler with Highgate Group - Order a meat cleaver knife online now

All models on our cleaver page are stocked for fast turnaround, with same-day dispatch for orders placed before 3 pm and free shipping over $350 - so you can equip stations without downtime. 

Ready to upgrade your setup? Explorer range, choose the weight and blade length that fit your workflow, and add to cart. If you’d like a brand-by-brand comparison or help matching a cleaver to specific products or throughput, our specialists are happy to advise.