1. {Name}
    Welcome to the KKF!
    Please take a moment to register and stop by the New Member Check-In and say hello. We sincerely hope you enjoy your stay and the discussion of all things sharp.
    Feel free to jump right in on the conversation or make your own. We have an edge on life!
    Dismiss Notice
  2. Take a look at our new AUCTION SYSTEM

    This service is available to all KKFora members to both Bid on and Auction off (Sell)items.
    Dismiss Notice

Show your chuka-bocho, show your cleaver

Discussion in 'The Kitchen Knife' started by TaJ, Mar 1, 2014.

  1. TaJ

    TaJ Founding Member Contributor

    I'm looking for a slicing cleaver and want to make up my mind on what size, profile, weight, steel, kind of handle, finish and such. What kind of cleaver do you own and what do you like about it?

    pics.gif please. :thx
     
  2. schanop

    schanop Founding Member

    Cool, I like this thread. Let me start with my two current slicing/all purpose chukabochos:

    Heiji Semi Stainless 220x110 520 g: I can be a lazy with Semi Stainless while cutting, chopping, and cooking at the same time. Its size
    resembles more of Sugimoto #7, but that's also how I asked Nakayaheiji to build the knife. It has the usual Heiji style bevel, like in gyuto,
    with sharp shinogi line that helps food separation, and thin at the edge.
    [​IMG]

    Shigefusua KU chuka 220x110 380g: This one is really light, and very thin for a cladded chuka. KU finish helps easing maintenance. It cuts
    like my other Shigefusa knives, superb.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  3. Birnando

    Birnando Founding Member

    Here's my favorite one, a Shigefusa custom made for me. A first from him as I understand it. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1393705628.316111.jpg ImageUploadedByTapatalk1393705671.886137.jpg
     
  4. TaJ

    TaJ Founding Member Contributor

    Ah thanks, cleavers :thumb

    I like how the Heiji looks with the distinct Shinogi. Also the stainless and the Kuro-Uchi on the Shigefusa looks like something i would like. That's because the real estate to take care of is so big. Also, the rustic look fits a cleaver somehow.

    One question concerning the Shigefusa cleavers. As compared to other cleavers i've seen, the Choil is quite 'big' as in other japanese knifes and similar to the Shigefusa Gyuto or Deba for instance, meaning it's a big arch and puts the heel of the knife quite far away from the end of the handle. How is this affecting the grip you use with this cleaver?

    As for the Heiji, is the spine rounded a bit? Does it feel comfortable?
     
  5. hbeernink

    hbeernink Founding Member

    Them's some gorgeous shiggys. Love those.
     
  6. schanop

    schanop Founding Member

    Maxim told me that my Shig KU chuka is pretty much the same as Birnando's except for KU finish; Shigefusa's
    first for wa handle with his typical neck, I think.

    For Heiji chuka spine, it came slightly rounded and corner eased like his gyuto and santoku that I also have.

    I have mentioned a few times on the forums that for both my Heiji and Shigefusa chuka handles, it took me a bit
    of time to get used to. Both handles are on the smaller side, and Shigefusa has an extra long neck compared with
    typical chuka. I probably choose this over full tang chuka with scale handle because of the extra weight in the handle
    of the other design. Sugimoto handle still feels best for me as well as being a rat tail tang.

    In any case, I have found that following grip (with variations depending on the type of cut) feels best for this Shig chuka.
    And for one meal at a time usage at home, it is comfortable enough for me.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  7. TaJ

    TaJ Founding Member Contributor

    Thank you for your explanations schanop. There seems to be a kind of a good grip possible (as seen in your pictures) with the Shigefusa and i guess the rounded and meaty choil/tang helps.
    I can see why the Sugimoto would be comfortable. It seems, this would enable you to have two fingers on the right side of the blade and still have a fair bit of handle in the hand . With a Wa-handle i guess a very thick oval handle would be closest to it.
     
  8. turtle

    turtle Founding Member

    I've used this veggie cleaver for decades now. Been so happy with it that I purchased several as gifts.

    It's nothing fancy but it works for me as it is a combination of oriental and european (rounded blade, full tang, flat handle). I find it as easy to maneuver as a chef's knife only wider to make picking up the cut easier

    [​IMG]
     
  9. TaJ

    TaJ Founding Member Contributor

    turtle, this one looks interesting as in the heel goes back a bit and the choil seems to enable to slide the hand quite a bit in front.
     
  10. schanop

    schanop Founding Member

    That's exactly one of the main point, being able to use pistol grip or two fingers down the blade if needed.

    Very large octagonal handle on Moritaka that I used to own is fine too.
     
  11. schanop

    schanop Founding Member

    A couple of pre-own chukkas.

    First was Moritaka blue #2, custom order at 220x110 and 550g: This one was a beast. I already had Sugimoto #6 at the time of ordering and wanted something along the line of Sugimoto #7. Being this big and heavy, it excelled at protein. Going though hard dense vegetable, this one would wedge a bit.
    [​IMG]

    For a more complete reference, Sugimoto #6, 220x110 420g. It was a very very good cleaver overall for me, but in the end, I wanted something that would be a little easier to take care of during busy meal. Following photos show Sugimoto #6 on top, Moritka in the middle, a Leung Tim BBQ chopper at the bottom.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  12. BathonUk

    BathonUk Founding Member

    Birnando I remember that Shigefusa:D It was beautful. Takeda was nice as well but I think that it was very uncomfortable.
     
  13. XooMG

    XooMG Founding Member

    I might be one of the first to post a Chinese (Taiwanese) cleaver?

    [​IMG]

    Yongli brand, stainless steel cladding over V-Toku core (should be similar to Yasuki Blue). F&F are not great and the choil and spine need rounding, so it's not a beauty like the Japanese varieties, but the edge gets quite thin:

    [​IMG]

    Bear in mind this is also a "smaller" cleaver, for home use...about 180mm at the edge.
    IMO not a bad deal for $26usd locally. Would love to try some of the Japanese versions but hard to justify when I got this (and a preference for narrower blades)
     
  14. Birnando

    Birnando Founding Member

    Whoa, I wouldn't wanna use that thing with a less than concrete grip:)
    Seems a tad too dangerous for my taste...
     
  15. apathetic

    apathetic Founding Member

    @TaJ Thanks for starting this thread, I am also looking to get a nice cleaver!

    I see the sugimoto cleavers are still considered as really good. One question though what's the difference between #6 and #7?
     
  16. timthebeaver

    timthebeaver Founding Member

    #6 is the thin blade model, #7 is the medium blade, and is c. 100 grams heavier.
     
  17. apathetic

    apathetic Founding Member

    So you would use the #6 for mainly vegetables and the #7 is more of an all-rounder?
    Which one would you get as your first one?
     
  18. TaJ

    TaJ Founding Member Contributor

    Wow, cool cleavers coming in! :)

    schanop, nice comparison shots. To the chinese cleaver from you XooMG, are there higher end versions of these as well, like rounded spine and better finished or is this just not in demand (or the void filled by chuka-bocho)? The ChickenHawk cleaver looks cool, but a bit intimidating, especially as i've just cut myself a bit. :oops:

    Concerning the Sugimoto #6 and #7, i am interested in why one would chose one above the other as well.
     
  19. XooMG

    XooMG Founding Member

    If they make them, I haven't seen them. Quite a shame, since the blade looks like it's got a lot of potential. I am a bit afraid to do a rehandle myself, but have given some thought to refinishing the blade. Assuming the tang is OK, I think one of these with some work may be in the league of some of the Japanese chukabocho.
     
  20. TaJ

    TaJ Founding Member Contributor

    Could be a business idea. Buy these chinese cleavers without handle directly from the manufacturer, finish them nicely, add a nice handle and sell them as an exclusive line.
     

Share This Page