When would you chose to use a Cleaver (Chuka bocho) vs a gyuto

Miura knives
Japanese Knives - by Tokushu Knife
Kitchen Knife Forums

Help Support Kitchen Knife Forums:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
ditomura

ditomura

KKF Supporting Member
Joined
May 6, 2023
Messages
133
Reaction score
249
Location
Hawaii
After reading about ARM, I was thinking about getting a chuka bocho. I have a Shun Chinese vegetable cleaver that I rarely use because handling a smaller knife is easier for me. I was wondering if I would use a cleaver more if I had a better one. I have a bunch of Japanese knives (gyutos, a sujihiki, and a petty). When would you use a chuka bocho instead of other knives?
 
I reach for a Chuka when I have a bunch of prep to do, often in place of a 240 or 270 workhorse. The cleaver is especially good if space is tight and/or there are others in the kitchen. It powers through things like juliennes for a bag of onions, piles of leeks, mushrooms. I still grab a big gyuto when it comes time to process a lot of greens, though.
 
MIDO PROFESSIONAL ABRASIVE Knife Sharpening Stone 400/1000 Whetstone Sharpening Stone with Non-Slip Rubber Base for Kitchen, Hunting, and Pocket Knives or Blades
$9.99
MIDO PROFESSIONAL ABRASIVE Knife Sharpening Stone 400/1000 Whetstone Sharpening Stone with Non-Slip Rubber Base for Kitchen, Hunting, and Pocket Knives or Blades miduguoji
Knife Set with Block for Kitchen - 7Pcs Hand-Forged Kitchen Knife and Magnetic Holder with Ergonomic Handle-Perfect for Novice to Professional Chefs.
-19%
$129.99 $159.99
Knife Set with Block for Kitchen - 7Pcs Hand-Forged Kitchen Knife and Magnetic Holder with Ergonomic Handle-Perfect for Novice to Professional Chefs. LXSEREY STORE
HENCKELS Razor-Sharp 20-Piece Statement Knife Set with Block, With Bonus Sharpener, German Engineered Knife Informed by over 100 Years of Masterful Knife Making
$199.95
HENCKELS Razor-Sharp 20-Piece Statement Knife Set with Block, With Bonus Sharpener, German Engineered Knife Informed by over 100 Years of Masterful Knife Making Knife Aid, Inc.
Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone 2 Side Grit 1000/6000 Waterstone- Whetstone Knife Sharpener- NonSlip Bamboo Base & Angle Guide
$42.99
Sharp Pebble Premium Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone 2 Side Grit 1000/6000 Waterstone- Whetstone Knife Sharpener- NonSlip Bamboo Base & Angle Guide MIGHTY DREAMS
THRWCLUB Axe Sharpener 400/1000 Grit - Hatchet/Axe Sharpening Stone, Axe Blade Sharpener, Sharpening Puck, Lansky Puck, Dual Grit Multi-Purpose Hatchet Sharpening Tool with Leather Sheath
$9.99
THRWCLUB Axe Sharpener 400/1000 Grit - Hatchet/Axe Sharpening Stone, Axe Blade Sharpener, Sharpening Puck, Lansky Puck, Dual Grit Multi-Purpose Hatchet Sharpening Tool with Leather Sheath IEXPO
BRODARK Kitchen Knife Set with Block, Full Tang 15 Pcs Professional Chef Knife Set with Knife Sharpener, Food Grade German Stainless Steel Knife Block Set, Christmas Gifts, Steel-king Series
-25%
$88.98 $118.00
BRODARK Kitchen Knife Set with Block, Full Tang 15 Pcs Professional Chef Knife Set with Knife Sharpener, Food Grade German Stainless Steel Knife Block Set, Christmas Gifts, Steel-king Series Brodark Store
MOSFiATA Kitchen Knife Set, 12 Pcs Japanese Stainless Steel Knife Sets for Kitchen with Oxford cloth storage bag with Knife Sharpening Rod, Dishwasher Safe, For Outdoor
$79.99
MOSFiATA Kitchen Knife Set, 12 Pcs Japanese Stainless Steel Knife Sets for Kitchen with Oxford cloth storage bag with Knife Sharpening Rod, Dishwasher Safe, For Outdoor iHome888
YeopAsda Knife Sharpening Stone Set - Premium 4 Side Grit 400/1000 3000/8000 Whetstone Sharpener Kit - Non-Slip Bamboo Base,Cut Resistant Gloves, Angle Guide,Flatting Stone,Honing Guide,Leather Strop
$39.99
YeopAsda Knife Sharpening Stone Set - Premium 4 Side Grit 400/1000 3000/8000 Whetstone Sharpener Kit - Non-Slip Bamboo Base,Cut Resistant Gloves, Angle Guide,Flatting Stone,Honing Guide,Leather Strop Dember
Intelitopia Complete Knife Sharpening Stone Set – Dual Grit Whetstone 400/1000 3000/8000 Knife Sharpener with Leather Strop, Flattening Stone, Bamboo Base, 3 Non-slip Rubber Bases & Angle Guide
-21%
$26.99 $33.99
Intelitopia Complete Knife Sharpening Stone Set – Dual Grit Whetstone 400/1000 3000/8000 Knife Sharpener with Leather Strop, Flattening Stone, Bamboo Base, 3 Non-slip Rubber Bases & Angle Guide keepooon
Knife Sharpening Stone Kit, KERYE Professional Japanese Whetstone Sharpener Stone Set, Premium 4 Side Grit 400/1000 3000/8000 Water Stone, Flattening Stone, Angle Guide, Leather Strop, Anti Cut Gloves
$32.84
Knife Sharpening Stone Kit, KERYE Professional Japanese Whetstone Sharpener Stone Set, Premium 4 Side Grit 400/1000 3000/8000 Water Stone, Flattening Stone, Angle Guide, Leather Strop, Anti Cut Gloves Sakai Heritage
HiramWare Knife Sharpening Stone with Non-slip Rubber Base, 400/1000 Grit Premium Whetstone, Double-Sided Knife Sharpener for Kitchen, Waterstone for Honing Blades Manually
$8.99
HiramWare Knife Sharpening Stone with Non-slip Rubber Base, 400/1000 Grit Premium Whetstone, Double-Sided Knife Sharpener for Kitchen, Waterstone for Honing Blades Manually Hiram Deals
Astercook Knife Set, Kitchen Knife Set with Built-in Sharpener Block, Dishwasher Safe, 15 Pieces German Stainless Steel Knife Block Set, Black
-20%
$39.99 $49.99
Astercook Knife Set, Kitchen Knife Set with Built-in Sharpener Block, Dishwasher Safe, 15 Pieces German Stainless Steel Knife Block Set, Black Astercook
Knife Set with Block, N NOBLE FAMILY 16Pcs Kitchen Knives Drawer Organizer Set with Sharpener, Cutting Board, Anti-Slip Chef Knives Set with 6Pcs Steak Knives, Black
-23%
$99.99 $129.99
Knife Set with Block, N NOBLE FAMILY 16Pcs Kitchen Knives Drawer Organizer Set with Sharpener, Cutting Board, Anti-Slip Chef Knives Set with 6Pcs Steak Knives, Black Jianyamei
Dfito Chef Knife Sets with Roll Bag, 9 Pieces Professional Knife Set, High Carbon Stainless Steel Kitchen Chef Knife Set, Red Pakkawood Handle, Dishwasher Safe
$99.99
Dfito Chef Knife Sets with Roll Bag, 9 Pieces Professional Knife Set, High Carbon Stainless Steel Kitchen Chef Knife Set, Red Pakkawood Handle, Dishwasher Safe Dfito Direct
Angerstone Axe Sharpener - 3.8”Oversized Axe/Hatchet Sharpening Stone - Whetstone Blade & Tool Sharpener, Dual Grit 180/320 Sharpening Puck with cowhide Sheath for Bushcraft, Camping and Field Use
$15.99
Angerstone Axe Sharpener - 3.8”Oversized Axe/Hatchet Sharpening Stone - Whetstone Blade & Tool Sharpener, Dual Grit 180/320 Sharpening Puck with cowhide Sheath for Bushcraft, Camping and Field Use Crazy Potato
zongchuan 5 PCS Damascus Chef Knife Set, Ultra-Smooth Cutting Experience and Professional Grade Sharp, Kitchen Knife Set,Handle Ergonomic Design,9CR18MOV High Carbon Stainless Steel,Dishwasher Safe
-33%
$51.10 $76.79
zongchuan 5 PCS Damascus Chef Knife Set, Ultra-Smooth Cutting Experience and Professional Grade Sharp, Kitchen Knife Set,Handle Ergonomic Design,9CR18MOV High Carbon Stainless Steel,Dishwasher Safe ZongChuan Official Store
Piklohas Kitchen Knife Sets for Kitchen with Block, 17 Pieces with Magnetic Knife Holder, German High Carbon Stainless Steel Damascus Pattern Chef Knives Set with Sharpener, Steak Knives
-16%
$159.98 $189.99
Piklohas Kitchen Knife Sets for Kitchen with Block, 17 Pieces with Magnetic Knife Holder, German High Carbon Stainless Steel Damascus Pattern Chef Knives Set with Sharpener, Steak Knives Piklohas Kitchen
Knife Sharpening Stone - Dual Grit Whetstone 400/1000 3000/8000, Knife Sharpening Stone Set, Tpstone Knife Sharpener Tool,Easy to Use
$25.99
Knife Sharpening Stone - Dual Grit Whetstone 400/1000 3000/8000, Knife Sharpening Stone Set, Tpstone Knife Sharpener Tool,Easy to Use TPstone choice
Knife Set, 15 Pieces Kitchen Knife Set with Built in Sharpener, German High Carbon Stainless Steel Knife Block Set, Dishwasher Safe, Black
$79.99
Knife Set, 15 Pieces Kitchen Knife Set with Built in Sharpener, German High Carbon Stainless Steel Knife Block Set, Dishwasher Safe, Black Amorston Offical
Angerstone Portable Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone - Outdoor Hunting Knife Sharpener Stone Kit Dual Grit 400/1000 - Pocket Sharpening Stones for Knives with Cowhide Pouch for Bushcraft Camping Field
-7%
$13.99 $14.99
Angerstone Portable Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone - Outdoor Hunting Knife Sharpener Stone Kit Dual Grit 400/1000 - Pocket Sharpening Stones for Knives with Cowhide Pouch for Bushcraft Camping Field Crazy Potato
JPAU said:
Does this really happen or is this wishful thinking? I love a tall Nakiri …
Click to expand...

I can only speak for myself because I bought am still buying way too many and will probably be listing multiple rectangles over the coming months. I know I'm not the only degenerate knife addict around here, so, doing the math . . .
 
The replies are funny, I should’ve asked why instead of when. Like anything else, it’s probably just personal preference. I like to use the cleaver when cutting through a head of cabbage because the tall height and weight seems make it go through straighter and easier.
 
The bang per mm is better if you've got a smaller board. I really like the relative flatness of profile combined with the extra heft of a tall nakiri/chuka so it still feels like a 240 gyuto but is more compact, and you can scoop soooo much more product off to the size. I love 240-250 gyutos but anything under 220 mm I prefer a rectangle. The weight and forward balance help with the cut too.

This is "only" a 60 mm tall nakiri (Wat Pro) but you can still see its relative scoopability vs a 45-50 mm tall gyuto. I found the 75 mm tall Shindo chuka I have to be a real sweet spot of nimbleness to usefulness, though 90 mm tall CK small slicer still feels quite handy.

20230716_200407.jpg
 
Last edited:
chiffonodd said:
wait wait wait wait the WHAT
Click to expand...
Perks of being a Senior Cultist ;)
20231030_181911.jpg

20240221_183109.jpg

20231030_182014.jpg

CKTG has them under their Enjin brand but it's made from SRK8 (shirogami substitute) but @TokushuKnife was able to source 4 of them in his lovely aogami 2. It's got a hammered S-grind which is purdy sweet
 
SwampDonkey said:
The bang per mm is better if you've got a smaller board. I really like the relative flatness of profile combined with the extra heft of a tall nakiri/chuka so it still feels like a 240 gyuto but is more compact, and you can scoop soooo much more product off to the size. I love 240-250 gyutos but anything under 220 mm I prefer a rectangle. The weight and forward balance help with the cut too.

This is "only" a 60 mm tall nakiri (Wat Pro) but you can still see its relatively scoopability vs a 45-50 mm tall gyuto. I found the 75 mm tall Shindo chuka I have to be a real sweet spot of nimbleness to usefulness, though 90 mm tall CK small slicer still feels quite handy.

View attachment 309975
Click to expand...
I like how you arrange chopped up stuff on that beautiful board. 😁
 
chiffonodd said:
I can only speak for myself because I bought am still buying way too many and will probably be listing multiple rectangles over the coming months. I know I'm not the only degenerate knife addict around here, so, doing the math . . .
Click to expand...
This is one of the reasons why I haven't impulse bought one yet haha
 
I have posted my only ever Nigiri # of times since bought it November 2022.

I always considered them wannabe cleavers. Had seen crappy stainless ones in person even sharpened them.

Found this one bought without handle
Pictures showed the grind figured how can I lose with a grind like that in blue #2
with Ku finish 89.00. Just put a handle on it had laying around.
55mm edge 165mm.

Boy was I wrong about Nigiri. You just have to get a good one.
I love this blade the random hammer strikes in this forged blade makes it even better.
20240322_163700.jpg
20240322_171106.jpg
20240322_171425.jpg
 
I do large prep at work. We are looking at 100 covers mid week and 160-200 at the weekend. For this there is nothing better than a cleaver. As for home use my wife uses a small cleaver but I'll grab whatever is to hand, after all I'm normally just slicing a handful of ingredients.
 
chiffonodd said:
Do you think that the CKTG srk8 version has a flatter profile maybe?

View attachment 310128
Click to expand...
Looks flatter. I flattened mine:


SwampDonkey said:
The oversized belly of the BIG SHINDO was pissing me off, just awkward on such a tall but relatively short knife. So I got out the sandpaper, 120 grit, and thinning juice (sotol). Took about 4 mm off the middle and flattened things out while still keeping a hint of curve. Back in business!

Before:
View attachment 304740View attachment 304741

After:

View attachment 304742View attachment 304743
Click to expand...
 
I like a nakiri or cleaver if I am making stir fry or curry at home. Always preferred gyutos at work. Although I never sprang for a CCK or chuka bucho. Mostly just used the cheap Chinese restaurant supply store versions and vintage ones I find at flea markets. Maybe I would have more love if I wasn't so cheap.
 
I'm dumb...for some reason I got in my head that chuka was a tall nakiri, not cleaver, so I intentionally kept cleavers out of my previous rambling. It doesn't change too much from what I said before, just upsized. The weight of my Sugimoto #6 at 434 g just does everything for you, it's simply a matter of picking up the knife and setting it down on product. The product will be cut. There's something just reassuring and easy about cleavers too. I'm not quite as fast yet as I am with a 240 gyuto, but they're just excellent jack-of-all-trades knives. You can get a good, thin grind of a ~laser with the weight and power of a WH stuffed into one knife because it's so tall.

But the scoopability!!! That is 220x110 of bench scraper right there. That whole bigass board can be scooped into the pot in like 3-4 tries.

20240226_180737.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top