Description
Twelve inches of knife, 16.5 oz of it, and a 7 inch pattern-welded blade wide enough to carry half a diced onion to the pan on its face.
| Overall length | 12 inches |
| Blade length | 7 inches |
| Handle length | 5 inches |
| Handle | Green resin with a black ferrule and brass ring |
| Steel | 1095 + 15N20 Damascus, 352 layers |
| Hardness | 58–60 HRC, oil tempered |
| Weight | 16.5 oz |
| Pattern | Wind & Mix twist Fire pattern Damascus Blade, Extreme custom Brass File-work |
| Included | Hand-stitched leather sheath |
Its job: the heavy end of prep. Squash, cabbage, joints of meat, root vegetables that make a lighter chef’s knife bounce. This is not a knife you use for peeling grapes. It is the one you reach for when the ingredient is bigger than the knife you were already holding.
Where the 16.5 oz goes
Weight in a cleaver is the feature, not the cost. Most of that 16.5 oz sits in the blade plate ahead of the handle, so the cut is powered by gravity and you supply direction. On dense vegetables that means you stop forcing the knife through and start guiding it, which is both faster and considerably safer.
The pattern is structural
The banding across this blade comes from folding two steels together and etching the finished grind, so the figure is different on every knife that leaves the shop. Nothing about it is printed or applied. It runs through the full thickness, and it will still be there in twenty years of sharpening.
The 5 inch handle
Five inches gives you two grips. Full-fisted at the rear for chopping, or pinched at the blade for control work. The transition between them is the thing to practice first, because a knife this heavy rewards a pinch grip more than most people expect.
Working with a knife this tall
The blade face is wide enough to use as a bench scraper. Cut, turn the knife on its side, and sweep everything into the pan in one motion instead of chasing pieces around the board with your fingers. That habit alone is worth the size.
What the specification does not list
There is no handle material row for this model. What we can tell you is the length: 5 inches, which is what makes the two-grip technique above possible on a knife that weighs over a pound.
Care: this steel is high-carbon and will discolor if you let it. Hand wash, dry immediately, and do not leave it wet in a sink or put it in a dishwasher — detergent and heat are worse for it than any ingredient. A light coat of food-safe mineral oil monthly keeps it stable. Store it in a block, on a magnetic rail or in its sheath, never loose in a drawer: our knife storage guide explains why.
FAQs
Can I chop bone with it? Poultry joints and soft bone, yes. Do not use it as a splitting axe on beef femur.
What bevel is it ground to? See our chef knife bevels guide for how kitchen edges are set and maintained.
Is there a smaller version? The 5.5 inch Mavado cleaver is the travel-sized answer to the same idea.
Model: BMK-862
Ronald Diaz –
My skepticism about ordering online disappeared the second this arrived. Every piece of the fit and finish looks hand checked before it shipped. Would send this as a gift again in a heartbeat.
Dustin Long –
Got this as a hunting trip and it exceeded what I expected. Handle has a great grip even with wet or gloved hands. Telling everyone I know to check this maker out.
Roger Richardson –
Pretty impressed. Just a couple minor things I’d tweak. Sheath is nice. Wish it had more padding but it does the job. Minor nitpicks aside, good quality knife.
Rachel Hunt –
Would call this a solid pickup for the price. Balance is good, just wish the handle had a bit more grip texture. Glad I made this purchase. Black Mamba Knives usually delivers solid quality and this was no exception.
Carl Cox –
This showed up faster than expected and looked incredible. Blade holds a razor edge right out of the box. Exactly the kind of quality that keeps me coming back.
Sandra Reyes –
This is the kind of knife you show off without even meaning to. Every piece of the fit and finish looks hand checked before it shipped. Handle feels amazing and the balance is perfect. This is going straight into my daily rotation.
Joseph Smith –
Got this for a housewarming gift and now I want one for myself too. Every piece of the fit and finish looks hand checked before it shipped. This will not be my last order from this maker. Cool knowing this was handmade right in Memphis and shipped out fast.
Nicole Ramos –
This showed up faster than expected and looked incredible. This has quickly replaced my old go to knife for field dressing. Nice to support a Memphis based knife maker, shipping was fast even internationally. Can’t wait to see what else this company has to offer.
George Sanchez –
This knife is phenomenal. No question about it.
Anna Watson –
Everyone who’s seen this knife has asked where I got it. Highly recommend this one.
Deborah Campbell –
Been eyeing this knife for a long time and it did not disappoint. Came in a nice gift box which made it feel even more special. This seller clearly takes pride in their work.
Thomas Parker –
Been eyeing this knife for forever it feels like and it did not disappoint. This is why Black Mamba Knives is my go to for anything knife related. Couldn’t be happier with this.
Mark Allen –
Everyone who’s seen this knife has asked where I got it. Would not hesitate to order again.