Thread: Meat cleaver restoration

A real one

Bought it for 3 euro at a garage sale. I tapped it with my wedding ring, and it gave a nice clear ring. It seems to be decent steel. I think it was made in the 50s or 60s. It needs sanding and a new handle, and then it is ready for kitchen duty. I don't know if I will keep it, but I can always give it away, and I thought it would be a nice experiment. The biggest issue will probably be fitting the new handle.

Oh, and I do intend to shave with it once it is finished.
Tbh I know this is more a topic for the conversation forum (this is for razors, not general knife making) but the title made me post it here to trick you into looking.

Max or Glen, feel free to move it to the convo.

Man, if I were closer I would help you with a nice turned handle.
Have fun with this one.

I think it should stay in this forum. If you are going to shave with it, doesn't that make it a razor?

Very interesting Brno. I think it should stay in this forum also. Can't wait to see the finished product. I am currently working on a similar meat cleaver w/ Jr. His may be a little easier so it is a full tang, more work because it had a lot more rust with a bunch pretty deep. I'm not sure if Jr wants the scales replaced or if he wants to leave them as is. Either way it's a good amount of work completed and more to get to when we find the time.

Good luck with your restore.

I put it on the belt sander, and the pitting is slowly fading. It's taking time, due to the large surface area. The fact that there is a negative hollow (convex blade?) means I can work on the flat. It took some sandpaper to the handle, and the beautiful original color is appearing. Combined with the fact that I cannot budge the handle even when hitting it with a 2x4, it makes me loathe to remove the original handle.

The only issue is that the original ferrule is gone from the handle. It must have torn off somehow, or someone re-fit the handle without the ferrule. The problem is that I can't fit a new one without removing the handle, since it would probably be destroyed in the process.

I am wondering if I could make a ferrule of 2 interlocking pieces.
Or put the cleaver in a clay mold and cast one from epoxy resin. Something to contrast the light oak color of the handle...
I could simply glue 2 pieces of ebony together, but I am slightly worried that they'd fall off after repeated impact.

All I can say is WOW, LOL. You intend to shave with that? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE post a video when you do

Originally Posted by HigherFasterNow

All I can say is WOW, LOL. You intend to shave with that? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE post a video when you do

I shaved with a 10 pound (or was it 5? can't remember right now) log splitting axe, with the handle attached.
This should be relatively easy in comparison.

Originally Posted by Bruno

I shaved with a 5 pound log splitting axe, with the handle attached.
This should be relatively easy in comparison.

Where is the video!?? LOL

Just keep adding your progress with comments and pictures that way we can follow the project. That is a nice meat cleaver btw. Love it.

Originally Posted by Bruno

The only issue is that the original ferrule is gone from the handle. It must have torn off somehow, or someone re-fit the handle without the ferrule. The problem is that I can't fit a new one without removing the handle, since it would probably be destroyed in the process.

I am wondering if I could make a ferrule of 2 interlocking pieces.
Or put the cleaver in a clay mold and cast one from epoxy resin. Something to contrast the light oak color of the handle...
I could simply glue 2 pieces of ebony together, but I am slightly worried that they'd fall off after repeated impact.

What about a cool wire wrapping around it? I think that could look pretty rad, plus that would add your own custom character to it-- not your mama's clever, you know?

Can't wait to see how it turns out. My great grandfather was a butcher, and I inherited some of his tools, this just might be the inspiration that I need.