Hand Forged 5.5" Small Clip Point Cleaver, Hammer Textured High Carbon Steel, Finger Hole, Red Padauk Handle

This small cleaver has a 5.5" clip point blade, hand forged from hammer textured high carbon steel and set in a red Padauk handle. It weighs 270 grams, measures 10" overall, and it is the most nimble blade in our cleaver line.

At the Board

Hook your index finger through the hole and you can choke up for close, controlled cuts: trimming a steak, breaking down a chicken, slicing peppers and onions for a skillet. The deep belly rocks, and the textured flats stop food from dragging on the steel. The clip point handles the detail work a square nosed cleaver cannot reach.

What it will not do is heavy bone work. At 270 grams it does not carry the mass for splitting big joints. For that, step up to the Razorback 6" meat cleaver, or browse the full cleaver collection.

A Gift That Gets Used

The red Padauk makes this one stand out the second the box opens, which is why it works for the home cook who seems to have everything already. It is a good pick for a housewarming, a birthday, or someone setting up a first kitchen, and it is light enough for a cook who finds full size cleavers tiring. Browse more ideas in our knife gifts collection.

Every Xcutlery blade is high carbon steel, hand forged one at a time in the Serbian style: thick stock, a lot of hammer work, and the forge finish left on the flats.

Serbian style forging usually means big, heavy blades. This one takes the same approach and shrinks it down. The flats keep the hammer texture and the brute de forge finish, the finger hole goes right through the blade, and a notch is cut into the spine. The spine then drops into a clip point for fine tip work, and the edge below is polished clean. The red Padauk handle runs 4.5" over a full tang with steel pins, and it is the brightest wood we put on a cleaver.

Why high carbon steel

It takes a very fine edge and comes back quickly on a whetstone. The price of that edge is a little care. This steel is not a rust resistant alloy, so water left on the blade will mark it. Wash it, dry it, wipe on a light coat of oil, and it will be cutting long after the cutting board has given up.

Patina

With use the steel darkens to a grey or blue patina. That is normal for high carbon steel and it helps protect the blade. Red rust is a different thing, and it comes from a knife left wet.

• 5.5" hand forged clip point blade, 10" overall
• 270 grams
• Hammer textured high carbon steel
• Finger hole and spine notch
• Full tang with steel pins
• Red Padauk wood handle

Specifications

• Blade: 5.5" hand forged, clip point
• Overall length: 10"
• Handle length: 4.5"
• Weight: 270 grams
• Steel: Hammer textured high carbon steel
• Handle: Red Padauk wood
• Finish: Brute de forge, polished edge
• Construction: Full tang with steel pins
• Features: Clip point tip, finger hole, spine notch

• Hand forged 5.5" small clip point cleaver
• Lifetime warranty against defects in materials and craftsmanship

Each blade is forged by hand, so the forge texture, hammer marks and wood grain on yours will be its own.

Wash by hand and dry it right after. A light coat of food safe oil on the blade keeps rust away. Do not put it in the dishwasher and do not let it soak.

Every time you use it

• Hand wash it right after use and dry it straight away
• Wipe on a light coat of food safe oil before it goes away
• Cut on wood or plastic boards
• Touch up the edge on a whetstone when it starts to drag

Keep it away from

• The dishwasher, and a sink full of water overnight
• Glass, stone or metal cutting surfaces
• Prying, twisting or throwing

The full routine is in our high carbon steel knife care guide, and the edge work is in how to sharpen a meat cleaver.

Every Xcutlery knife is covered for life against defects in materials and craftsmanship. If a handle works loose from the tang, a pin comes free, or there is a flaw in the steel or the build that came from us, we repair or replace it free of charge.

It does not cover normal wear such as a dull edge, damage from misuse, or rust from the dishwasher or soaking. Slight differences in forge texture, hammer marks and wood grain are part of a handmade knife, not defects.

To make a claim, email sales@xcutlery.com (Australia: sales@xcutlery.com.au) with your order number and photos. Separately, you have 30 days from delivery to return an unused knife. Engraved and custom knives cannot be returned for a change of mind. Full terms are on the warranty page.

What is the finger hole for?
Control. Put your index finger through it and choke up on the blade, and a small cleaver starts handling like a big paring knife.

Is a small cleaver strong enough for real work?
For vegetables, chicken and boneless meat, yes. It is not built for heavy bone, and the bigger blades in the collection cover that.

Does it come sharp?
Yes. The edge is polished and ready to use when it arrives.

How do I stop rust?
Dry it straight after washing and keep a thin coat of food safe oil on the steel.

Trimming a steak or slicing peppers with a finger through the hole is where this small cleaver does its best work. For help choosing between it and the bigger blades, see choosing the right size cleaver.