F. Dick Red Spirit 7-inch Slicing Chinese Cleaver

Vegetable prep is the strength of this Red Spirit slicing cleaver. The wide, flat blade chops, dices and minces vegetables quickly, and its height also makes it a capable slicer.

A Chinese slicing cleaver has a thinner blade than a chopping cleaver, so it glides through cabbage and onions and leaves clean, even pieces. The flat side carries chopped food from board to pan. At 10.2 ounces it has enough weight for momentum without tiring the wrist, and the round handle stays comfortable through long sessions.

Hold it in a pinch grip at the top of the blade for the most control, and slice with a forward stroke. The tall blade also guides the knuckles of the other hand for even, thin slices of ginger and scallion.

Keep this cleaver off bone. For chicken backs and small bones, the heavier Red Spirit chopping cleaver is the right tool. The Red Spirit 7-inch santoku is a narrower vegetable knife, and the comparison table below lists the full series.