Making a Cleaver Knife - With Commentary

[@RedBeardOps]

Anyone know why there are holes in cleavers?!

[@nieljohn4614]

Yes, for hanging from a 'butchers hook' on the overhead meat rail, cleavers needed to be securely hung out of the way when dressing a carcass out with finer knives and were only used for chopping bone in my grandfathers butchery. Cleaver accidents were the biggest accidental killers in traditional butchery, often due to exsanguination when the butcher missed the edge of the block and cut their femoral artery, hence the adoption of bone saws now. A traditional cleaver would be full thickness (slab) bladed with a very steep edge bevel ~25° to 30° often even steeper to retain edge strength and weight, modern cooks cleavers with thinning grinds and shallow bevels aren't suitable for real bone work use in the same way, my modern cleaver has a superfine 15° edge, great for vegetables and meats off the bone useless for anything bigger than chicken leg bones.

[@johnkennedyswenja]

Not sure if I drooled more for the cleaver or for the steak....the cleaver.

[@RedBeardOps]

Lol, thanks John!

[@courtneesdad]

very nice

[@RedBeardOps]

Thank you sir! And thanks for subscribing. Glad you liked it.

[@gurvinderkau1e5w18]

Cleaver look beautiful.👍🏻

[@RedBeardOps]

Thank you! I like how it came out too. Good for cutting things :)

[@flyphishr]

Those SWAG tables rule!!!

[@RedBeardOps]

Dp 100%! Very handy! I did a review here if you're looking to buy one! kzbin.info/www/bejne/opPLYmaEf8eFsM0

[@alexanderkalandarishvili4547]

Hey i love your videos they really do motivate me to do some interesting stuff

[@RedBeardOps]

Glad to hear it!

[@ScrapMetalTherapy]

Great, I love the cleaver! I see you have a lot of awesome tools, that's real cool. As for the hole, my guess is it's used for hanging. Lighter knives can be magnetized but the cleaver is too heavy for regular (non-neodymium) magnets.

[@RedBeardOps]

Glad you liked it! I've acquired the tools a little at a time. They help for sure. I think you're right about the hole in the cleaver. What you said makes a lot of scene.

[@GlennQueener]

I am learning how to cut and grind on mild steel, and the first blade I made was a three-finger mini-cleaver. I messed up on grinding the blade edge, now it's a three-finger mini-cleaver with a slight recurve.

[@RedBeardOps]

Keep at it Glenn!

[@johnjude2685]

Another great video Sir 👍 Thank you Sir for teaching me how to

[@RedBeardOps]

Glad you liked it! I still use this utility cleaver around the shop daily!

[@damionlowther78]

Hey man, I know this is an older video but if you haven't already look into die maker stones for getting into that plunge line. They have been a life/time saver. You can shape to fit or just use the flat.

[@RedBeardOps]

Cool idea, I'll have to take a look! Thanks for watching man. I will say I do a lot of belt finishes now days... Took me a while to get my grinding skills up enough to do that though.

[@OUTDOORS55]

No idea about the holes in the Cleaver. I always assumed it was for hanging. Who doesn't have scrap pieces of 1084 laying around 😂 i only wish I could fine it precision ground. Ill take 1084 over 1095 any day. The knife turned out great man👍👍

[@RedBeardOps]

Thanks Alex! Gotta be for hanging! Precision ground would be nice...

[@botondhetyey159]

It is, when chopping up big carcasses, it can be used to hang the cleaver securely on hooks, while using smaller knives for precision work. Since cleavers are a lot heavier, them falling off is much more dangerous then kinves.

[@e.t.preppin7084]

I’ve got a shit ton of 1084. Was gonna stick to smaller knives but I really want a cleaver. I have some 2 1/2” by 1/8” that should do ok. Hopefully it’s not to thin but it will probably be ok for my tasks. I’m about to order some 1/16” stock because I wanna do some small but really slicy knives. Trying to keep it simple for now. I’m progressing quite well. I just need to change my motor on my 2x72 and add a variable speed. I think I’ll be way ahead of the scale after using a 1 1/2 hp single speed motor. Being able to slow it down is gonna be like heaven for me after learning on a single speed!!! Nice video. Really cool cleaver, I want one. I have some really cool variations of hardwoods and I really prefer wood scales being first and foremost a finish carpenter turned knife maker!!!

[@RedBeardOps]

The variable speed is a game changer. I'm still learning it, but it's super handy! You'll be able to make a sweet cleaver with those dimensions!

[@franotoole2702]

Actualy the hole serves two purposes, 1, to hang it up of course, and 2, some of the old fashiones chopping boards have a pivot point on them where you can attach a cleaver or butcher knife so that it can act as a sheer for more accurate cuts ,with more leverage etc.... i had one years ago with a butchers knife

[@RedBeardOps]

That sounds awesome! Thanks for sharing man. And thanks for watching!

[@jtbuck8558]

Can you show us how you made the 45° block

[@RedBeardOps]

I can't remember what video I made it in, but it's just two pieces of plate steel welded at a 45 degree angle with a gusset

[@RTWADV]

Great job on the video! Appreciated the commentary. Really helpful! Knife came out great too! What are you using on the hand drill to clean out the tang holes? Just deburring or making the holes more circular? I'm ending up with nice round holes on the "top" side of the tang, but every so slight egg shaped on the "down" side. Maybe just the press or technique, but close to trying reamers despite it not affecting anything.

[@RedBeardOps]

Hey Jeremy, happy you liked it! I'm using a countersink bit in the hand drill to knock the bur off the hole edges. I haven't had the "egg shaped" results on mine; are you using a hand drill for the holes? I could see that causing the issue. If you are using a hand drill you could get a drill guide made to help keep things straight.

[@RTWADV]

@@RedBeardOps Thanks! Figured it was knocking that lip you get around the hole. Using a porter cable standing drill press. Must have some play or vibration somewhere in there. More like a 3 pointed circle where the bit breaks the other side. Looking forward to the next vid!

[@RedBeardOps]

@@RTWADV WOw I'm supersized it's that off!

[@kaskristensen]

Looking Nice! Keep it up! Am A follower from now on 💪🏼

[@RedBeardOps]

Thank you sir! Glad you like the video and thanks for the sub!

[@johnw.brunson9400]

Nice looking chopper. But if you can't draw what is the best way to get your knife shape?

[@RedBeardOps]

Hi John, I'm putting up my templates on Patreon for my patrons. I must say however, that this specific design is not up on the page, however. www.patreon.com/RedBeardOps

[@michaelafton9916]

Good vid gained new sub from me

[@RedBeardOps]

Thanks for the sub!

[@tarakdasbairagya9037]

I need this in India

[@RedBeardOps]

Cheers sir! Glad you liked it!

[@joarflesja1516]

Great build. I just foud you from a koment on Walters Chanel. 😊👌

[@RedBeardOps]

Joar Flesjå cool deal man. Glad you found your way here. And I’m happy you enjoyed the video! Cheers!

[@johnpoelking1264]

Are you planning to make one of these for my Bush kit How much,how long,let's talk sheets. I'm holding my checkbook as we speak have you started my knife yet, I'm waiting I need one....really , I do

[@RedBeardOps]

Hey man I appreciate it, but I'm not taking custom orders at this time. When I do have a knife for sale I put it up on instagram.