If you love cooking outdoors, you know that having the right tools makes all the difference. A flimsy pocket knife won’t cut it (literally), and a standard kitchen blade isn’t built for the rugged outdoors. That’s where a handmade cleaver comes in—it’s the ultimate all-in-one tool for slicing, chopping, and even splitting firewood when you’re out in the wild.
If you haven’t added a cleaver to your kit yet, here’s why you definitely should.
1. A Cleaver is the Only Knife You’ll Need Outdoors
When you’re cooking in nature, you don’t want to haul around a whole knife set. You need one tool that does it all—and a cleaver can handle anything.
- Chopping, slicing, dicing – Whether you’re cutting up veggies, slicing a juicy steak, or breaking down a whole chicken, a cleaver makes it effortless.
- Bone-crushing power – Need to split ribs or take down thick cuts of meat? A handmade cleaver, like the MWTP Damascus Cleaver, makes it a breeze.
- Even helps with fire prep – A strong cleaver can double as a tool for splitting small kindling and getting your fire started.
🔥 Upgrade Pick: The Special Edition Cleaver is built for serious outdoor cooks—powerful, balanced, and ready for action.
2. It’s Built to Handle the Wild
Ever had a cheap knife fall apart on you mid-cook? Yeah, it’s frustrating. A handmade cleaver is made for the long haul, built to survive rough conditions and daily use.
- Full tang construction – Cleavers like the Moss Green Cleaver are full tang, meaning the steel runs through the entire handle. This means it won’t snap, bend, or fail you when you need it most.
- High-quality steel – Whether you go with stainless, high-carbon, or Damascus steel, handmade cleavers hold their edge and stay sharp longer.
- Handles made for grip – Cooking outside? Your hands might be wet, greasy, or covered in marinade. A solid wood or burl wood epoxy handle (like on the Moss Green Cleaver) keeps your grip secure and comfortable.
3. Strength Meets Precision
A lot of people think cleavers are just big, bulky knives for smashing through bones. Wrong! A well-crafted cleaver is both powerful and precise.
- Thin enough for fine cuts – You can still slice delicate veggies, fillet fish, and chop herbs with ease.
- Heavy enough for serious work – When you need power—like cutting through thick cuts of meat—your cleaver has your back.
- Perfectly balanced – Handmade cleavers are designed with a comfortable weight so chopping feels effortless, not like a workout.
🔥 Best of Both Worlds: The Damascus Cleaver combines razor-sharp precision with bone-cutting strength—plus, it looks insanely cool.
4. Let’s Be Honest—It Looks Awesome
Look, we can talk about function all day, but let’s not ignore the obvious: A cleaver makes you look like a badass.
- It has that rugged, outdoorsy feel—like something a true wilderness chef would use.
- Handmade cleavers are unique—from the wood grain in the handle to the steel patterns in Damascus blades, no two are exactly alike.
- If you’re making Instagram-worthy campfire meals, a handmade cleaver just levels up your whole setup.
5. Easy to Maintain, Built to Last
A good cleaver isn’t just tough—it’s low maintenance, too. Follow these simple steps, and it’ll last a lifetime.
✅ Wash it by hand – Just rinse it, wipe it dry, and you’re good to go.
✅ Hone regularly – Use the MWTP Honing Steel to keep it razor-sharp.
✅ Store it safely – Get a Cleaver Sheath to protect the blade when not in use.
A handmade cleaver isn’t just another knife—it’s the ultimate outdoor cooking tool. Whether you're prepping food at camp, slicing meat over an open fire, or splitting kindling to get your fire going, a cleaver has your back.
🔥 Ready to step up your outdoor cooking game? Check out Men With The Pot for the best handmade cleavers built for adventure.
