What Is the Hole in a Meat Cleaver For? The REAL Reason Is Here

Meat cleavers are one of the most versatile kitchen tools that help cut through meat and stubborn bones. The human mind is curious and always open to reservations and speculations. You are not the only one who often wonders, “”what is the hole in a meat cleaver for.”” It is quite a common question among all the butchers. Many people have their own speculations.

Some say it is for hanging the cleaver on the wall. While some others argue it is merely a signature mark left by the artisans for aesthetic purposes. And there are plenty of other assumptions about the hole in the meat cleaver, you name it.

Are they all true? What is the true purpose of the hole in the meat cleaver? Nobody will drill a hole into a high-end knife blade just because they feel like doing it. So what for? Curious, aren’t you? Calm down; we will enlighten you in this article.

As we move ahead, we will discuss the true purpose/s of the hole in a meat cleaver. We will also get some of your most common FAQs answered along the way. Sit tight and keep reading to satisfy your curiosity and learn many things you wish you had known sooner.

What is the Hole in a Meat Cleaver for?

A hole in the meat cleaver offers a few advantages that most people seem unaware of. Not anymore since we have listed out the purposes here for you. Let us find out the reasons for the existence of a hole in the far top end of your meat cleaver.

Safety and Accessibility

Meat cleavers are not regular knives. They have a large, rectangular heavy-duty blade with exceptional sharpness that helps you chop and dice down any stubborn meat into small chunks. Obviously, not a tool to mess with!

Hence it is clear that it requires safety concerns from our side for safe usage and maintenance. As meat cleavers are bigger than the regular knives we use daily, most knife drawers cannot accommodate them. But we’ve got no worries since the holes come into play.

These holes in the meat cleavers let you safely hang them on the walls. This ensures the safety and makes it easily retrievable whenever we need it. Do you recall seeing meat cleavers hanging on butcher’s belts around his waist when they are working? Exactly, that’s the purpose. Safe and Accessible.

Convenience to pulling free

Your meat cleaver is expected to get stuck between bones or other headstrong parts when dealing with meat. This can understandably frustrate you and demand time and energy to get stuck free. Holes in meat cleavers are there to make the job easy.

When the meat cleaver gets stuck, you can insert your fingers into the hole, reinforce your grip to pull out quickly and get it free. No more frustration and fighting. The designers know what to do, don’t they?

Aesthetic purpose

Yes, that’s right! The holes in meat cleavers also stand there to look aesthetically pleasing. Product design is crucial as it is the ultimate aspect that imprints an impression in the customer’s mind.

A good-looking tool creates a pleasing work environment. And who doesn’t prefer that? Nobody. No cap, but the little hole at the top corner of the large stainless blade area looks stylish and unique.

Understandably, that’s one of the purposes of the cleaver. The design makes the cleaver stand out from the rest of the knives and makes it unique.

How to Take Care of a Meat Cleaver?

Again, this is such a common question raised by people. Maintenance is vital for the tool’s lifespan. Take proper care of your meat cleaver. You can use it for an extended period without diminishing its quality. If not, it is the contrary. So let us tell you how you can take care of your meat cleavers to sustain their quality for long as possible.

Your meat cleavers only demand something ordinary when cleaning since they are blades that do seamless cutting jobs. Taking care of your cleavers involves only two simple steps.

Cleaning it
Sharpening it

Properly cleaning and sharpening the cleaver as needed will provide a long-lasting life with good performance.

How to Clean a Meat Cleaver?

People have different ways of cleaning. But what is the best way? The best way to clean meat cleavers is to wash them in warm water with soap using your hands. Handle the cleaver carefully. (You do not want to get yourself cut)

Once cleaned with soap and warm water, pat dry with a clean cloth/microfiber towel to keep rusting at bay. Avoid leaving your meat cleaver in the dishwasher.

How to Sharpen a Meat Cleaver?

A dull blade is a disaster. Sharpness is what keeps a meat cleaver run at par. Sharpening a meat cleaver as needed ensure they are sharp and ready for seamless cutting. It also gets rid of any burs that would obstruct the job.

There are a few ways you can use to sharpen a meat cleaver. You can use an electric or manual knife sharpener to get the job done efficiently. The more conventional way of sharpening it is using the whetstone.

Sharpening your meat cleaver using whetstone ensures sharp and shiny edges. Place the cleaver between 20 – 30 degrees angle and get rolling. Give your blade some profiling if it has burs and is damaged. Profiling will help get rid of such issues.

Sharp meat cleavers will help you cut through projects easier than dull meat cleavers. You will have to face a lot of resistance and stubbornness in case of a dull blade.

Conclusion

Why there are holes in meat cleavers? Well, there are a few intended purpose for this stylish looking hole. There are numerous speculation as to what its purpose is. But in reality, there are only three reasons for the existence of this hole in a meat cleaver. Read our article thoroughly and understand the purposes. Thus use meat cleavers more conveniently and efficiently.

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What Is the Hole in a Meat Cleaver For? The REAL Reason Explained