Fukumoto Hamono Hammered Chinese Cleaver

Our trusted knife broker, Kida-san, recently found a stash of rare Chinese cleavers from Fukumoto Hamono, a small knife maker in Seki City, or Japan’s “Sword Capital.” We quickly secured a limited shipment just for Milk Streeters—you won’t find these anywhere else (or at this fair price) in America. The hammered cleaver is fashioned from high-quality AUS-6 stainless steel; the blade, just 2 millimeters at the top of the spine, tapers down to a super-thin edge. Half tang and durable, it has a pronounced curve and some heft, making it great for rock chopping, mincing and prepping a big batch of meat and veggies for stir-fries. Its full height shields your fingers during cutting tasks and it can double as a bench scraper to scoop up and transfer prep. The satin-finished blade has a tsuchime (hammered) finish, which doubles as non-stick treatment. The dimpled texture traps air between the blade and food—such as carrot coins or eggplant rounds—so ingredients fall right off. The western-style natural wood handle is comfortable and grippy for a secure feel and balanced control. Each cleaver is packaged in a high-quality box with Japanese labeling, so it’s perfect for gifting (or treating yourself).