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
SaleCleaver
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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.
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SaleStep 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 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.
got this for my dad as a birthday pressie and ended up borrowing it more than he uses it. the things a beast, goes through a whole butternut squash like nothing. i was worried itd be too heavy but actually feels really balanced, makes chopping way easier. edge out the box was proper sharp, still holding up nicely after a month of abuse. wooden handles comfortable even when wet. honestly for 45 quid its a steal
really like this cleaver, its my go to now for pretty much all veg prep. blade stays sharp and its not too heavy to use for long stretches. only thing i wish is the handle was a bit more contoured, its quite rectangular and digs in a bit if youve got smaller hands. took some getting used to but does the job. still a solid buy, would recommend
bought this for me dad for his birthday and he loves it. He’s been using it for a month now and sharp as anything, slices through butternut squash like butter. The handle feels nice in the hand, he says. Came in a proper box as well so top marks from me.
its alright. blade is sharp and does the job but honestly i was expecting a cleaver to have a bit more weight behind it. this feels more like a big chefs knife really. handle is comfy but a bit plain for the price. not bad just not really what I had in mind for £45.