Chef Ambassadors
Real head chefs across the UK put Shimeru blades to work on the pass, service after service.
Head Chef at Kiyoto Sushi
London
Head Chef at The Grazing Cow
Telford
Head Chef at Duke of Wellington
London
Head Chef at Niwa Yakitori
Manchester
Head Chef at The Royal Oak
Ashbourne
Head Chef at Hintlesham Hall
Ipswich
Head Chef at 1260 Hoylake
Wirral
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Blade Length
8"
Steel Type
Japanese Stainless SteelCompare →
Handle
African Wedge hardwood
Knife Type
Cleaver (中華包丁)Compare →
Best For
Meat, Vegetables, Herbs
Precision.
Balance.
Craft.
Introducing the Saba 佐波川 Hand-Forged Japanese Stainless Steel Cleaver 中華包 by Shimeru, a masterpiece of culinary art designed for both professional chefs and passionate home cooks. This exquisite cleaver features an 8-inch razor-sharp blade, expertly crafted from top-quality Japanese stainless steel. Renowned for its enduring sharpness and exceptional durability, this blade ensures precision with every cut, whether slicing through meat, chopping vegetables, or dicing herbs.
Complementing the impeccable blade is a meticulously crafted handle made from African Wedge hardwood. Known for its strength and unique grain patterns, the handle not only provides a comfortable, balanced grip but also adds a touch of elegance to your kitchen. The seamless integration of the handle and blade ensures stability and control, enhancing your culinary experience.
With a blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern innovation, the Saba Hand-Forged Cleaver is not just a tool, but an investment in quality and performance. Elevate your cooking experience with this beautiful and functional cleaver, designed to meet the demands of any kitchen task with style and ease.
Crafted from professional-grade, heat-treated high-carbon steel, Shimeru Knives deliver exceptional sharpness, durability, and edge retention. From the first slice, you’ll experience the precision that sets us apart.
Our knives are guaranteed to be the sharpest you’ve ever owned. No exceptions, no compromises. Just razor-sharp blades that elevate your culinary experience.
Shimeru Knives feature uniquely designed handles that not only add a sophisticated touch to your kitchen but also provide a comfortable, secure grip for effortless chopping and slicing.
With a double-bevel edge sharpened to 15° (compared to the standard 20-25° of most Western knives), our blades allow for smoother, faster cuts, enhancing your cooking efficiency by 2 to 3 times.
Not sure which knife?
Answer a few quick questions about how you cook, and we'll match you with the perfect blade.
Step 1, Rinse
Warm water and mild soap after each use. Never put your knife in the dishwasher, the harsh detergents and jostling will damage the edge and handle.
Step 2, Dry
Towel dry immediately. Don't leave it wet or in the sink, even stainless steel can develop spots if left damp.
Step 3, Store
Use a knife block, magnetic strip, or blade guard. Never toss it loose in a drawer, it dulls the edge and is a safety hazard.
That's it, no special maintenance, no fussy rituals. Your Shimeru knife is designed for daily use. With these three steps it'll stay razor-sharp for years.
Got this cleaver as a treat for myself and honestly its brilliant. Used it to chop through some chicken thighs and veg for a stir fry, no effort at all. The handle is proper nice wood and the blade came razor sharp out the box. Delivery was quick and packaging was spot on. Cant fault it really.
Ive been using a cheap cleaver from Tesco for years and this thing is in a different league. Bought the 8 inch version after umming and ahhing about it. The blade is proper weighty but still manageable, chops through carrots and squash without any wedging. Sharpened it once in 3 weeks just to see how it feels on a stone and it took a lovely edge, though honestly it didnt even need it. The African Wedge handle has a nice grain to it and its actually quite comfy for a pinch grip. My only tiny gripe is it’s a bit heavier than what I’m used to but I’ve grown to like it.
Got this as a birthday present for my husband and he's over the moon. Proper sharp out the box, lovely weight to it. He's been using it for everything, even just slicing tomatoes. Came well packaged too.
Been using this cleaver for about a month now. Mainly got it for veg prep and it flies through carrots and cabbage no bother. The blade holds an edge really well, I've only honed it once. Handle is comfortable, bit different from my old western knives but I actually prefer the rounder grip. Delivery was quick as well.
Got this for my husband's birthday and he's over the moon. Properly sharp out the box and the handle is lovely, really nice wood. Used it to slice through a pork belly with ease. Arrived quickly as well.
Got this cleaver after using a normal western chefs knife for ages. Takes a bit of getting used to the weight and the flat profile but once you do its brilliant for veg prep, slices through a whole cabbage like no ones business. Handle is nice wood but a touch chunky for my small hands, wish they did a slightly slimmer version. Still 4 stars because the blade itself is top notch and holds an edge well.
Been using this cleaver daily for about a month now. The edge is still wicked sharp, much better than my old Victorinox which needed sharpening every couple weeks. Handle is African Wedge hardwood I think, feels nice in the hand, not slippery when wet. Only thing is its a bit heavy but you get used to it quickly, actually prefer it now for dense veg like squash. Arrived well packaged.
Got this for my husband's birthday, he absolutely loves it. Used it to chop through a whole chicken like it was butter. Handle feels proper solid too. Came next day which was a bonus.
Proper bit of kit this. Got it for myself after eyeing up cleavers for a while and chuffed to bits. It's got some weight to it but thats exactly what you want in a cleaver - goes through chicken bones like nobodys business. Did a massive veg prep yesterday, carrots, onions, spuds, the lot, and it just glided through. Edge is still bang on after a week of heavy use. Handle feels nice in hand, the wood is lovely. Came really well packaged too, arrived next day which was a nice surprise. If your on the fence just get it.
Really solid knife overall. Used it for a couple of weeks now and it holds an edge nicely. Only thing is its a touch heavier than my old cleaver so it took a bit to get used to, thats more personal preference though. The wood handle is comfy but maybe a bit thick for smaller hands - my wife finds it awkward. Still does the job brilliantly and for the price I cant moan. Wish they did a slightly smaller version but as an 8 inch cleaver its cracking.
