Mercer Culinary Chinese Chef's Knife, 8", Wooden Handle

This is a review for the wooden handle version. Picking it up for the first time it's surprisingly substantial and good quality. I was expecting to be a little underwhelmed considering I only paid £20. This thing is pretty hefty. 14 ounces, +-400g, 2.8mm thick. That's on the heavier side for a Chinese cleaver according to my brief research on the topic. I tapped it on the flat side on the side of my head and it's stiff and solid as can be. It could definitely knock someone out just with a slap. Im not sure if it's intended for bone chopping. The other black version is a nimble 110 grams lighter and is definitely not intended for bones so this could be the tougher bone version perhaps? It seems more middle ground. It feels like it'll have no problems with smaller bones like chicken which is what you're most likely to chop on the odd occasion. I've personally never had to chop through large bones so this isn't a concern for me. I'll leave that sort of thing up to the butcher. Chopping vegetables with it doesn't feel difficult or clunky. I'm slightly above average in strength. Someone with weaker arms or a woman might find it a bit too much. Perhaps not. I suppose it depends on your vigor and enthusiasm. The balance point from the handle is 3/5 along the entire knife. So it's top heavy but doesn't feel overly so when you hold it. You don't hold it from the bottom of the handle though. Your first 2 fingers and your thumb hold the actual blade at the bottom of the metal blade. Keeps the blade nice and steady. The sharpness out of the box is very good but nothing to rave on about. It can easily do the paper cutting trick so long as it's fairly stiff. I noticed the way that blade edge is cut, one side is higher than the other so it's more of a one-sided edge and will need to be sharpened that way, probably on a whetstone. The higher side is on the writing side if that concerns you. The thickness of the blade though, does taper evenly on both sides right down to the cutting edge. It's not a flat 2.8 mm all the way through, only at the top. I particularly like the wooden handle and the Asian writing on the side. It gives it that authentic Chinese cleaver feel. I actually scorched the handle with a confectionery blow torch and buffed it down with fine sandpaper to give it a more expensive antique look. It was pretty intimidating because I was afraid the heat might split the wood but I did it gently and gave it time to cool, and it turned out nice.

Economico ma molto funzionale,il coltello e leggero e mantiene la affilatura ,lunghezza della lama molto buona ,facile da usare e molto funzionale ,soddisfattissimo dell acquisto ,bello .

Works well, nice looking rosewood handle.

Coupe comme un couteau de 3 fois son prix. Sa lame incurvée est très utile pour ne pas couper les comptoirs!!!

I recently purchased the Mercer Culinary Chinese Chef's Knife and I am extremely impressed with its performance. The 8-inch blade is the perfect size for chopping, dicing, and slicing ingredients for Asian dishes like stir-fries, vegetables, and meats. The blade is sharp right out of the box and holds its edge very well, making it a joy to use for precision cuts. The wooden handle provides a comfortable, ergonomic grip, and it feels sturdy and secure during use. The knife is well-balanced, which makes it easy to maneuver even during long prep sessions. I appreciate how the handle has a traditional feel but with the durability and quality you'd expect from Mercer Culinary products. I’ve used it for everything from chopping scallions to breaking down proteins, and it performs beautifully. The curved blade allows for efficient rocking motions, making chopping much quicker and more efficient. It’s not just functional but also a pleasure to work with in the kitchen. My only minor concern is that the wooden handle requires a bit of care to prevent it from drying out or cracking, but that’s common with most wooden handles. Just a little maintenance with oiling the handle from time to time will keep it in great condition. Overall, this knife offers excellent value for the price. Whether you're a professional chef or just an enthusiast of Asian cuisine, the Mercer Culinary Chinese Chef's Knife is an indispensable tool in the kitchen. I highly recommend it!