J.A. Henckels Twin Four Star 5-Inch High Carbon Stainless-Steel Meat Cleaver

Founded in 1731, the J.A. Henckels company is not only one of the world's oldest cutlery manufacturers, it's also one of the most well respected, creating best-selling knives guaranteed to last a lifetime. --Kim Harwell

From the Manufacturer

First introduced in 1976, the Four Star Series is one of the world's most popular knife lines. Four Star knives were designed and developed in close cooperation with renowned professional chefs. The result was a fully forged knife with a unique molded handle. The Four Star line contains knives for all tasks, and includes the following open stock knife types: parer, bread, peeling, sandwich, utility, carving, chef's, granton edge slicer, santoku, and others. Four Star knives are also available in a range of block sets and gift sets.

A Higher Standard in Knife Construction

Four Star knives are precision forged from a single piece of exclusive-formula, high-carbon, no-stain steel under the all-new Sigmaforge standard. As a result, Four Star knives have improved quality consistency, lasting sharpness, and perfect geometry. Sigmaforge one-piece construction also provides high precision and improved stability of the blade and steel structure, thus improving cutting-edge retention for lasting sharpness. In addition, Four Star knives use J.A. Henckels' Friodur ice hardening for corrosion resistance, a process that also contributes to cutting-edge retention.

It's All in The Grip:

The Four Star series features high impact polypropylene handles that are permanently bonded to the knife blades without any gaps. These comfortable handles are break-proof, sanitary, and colorfast. In addition, the super bolster provides weight, insures safety, and adds balance.

Features:

• SIGMAFORGE 1-piece, precision forged construction: Provides perfect geometry, high precision, and improved stability of the blade and steel structure, thus improving cutting edge retention for lasting sharpness.
• Laser controlled edge: Is sharper and stays sharper longer. Has a more consistent blade angle.
• Friodur ice hardening: Maximum no-stain properties and more blade strength. Improved resistance to corrosion and pitting.
• Super bolster: Provides weight, insures safety, and adds balance.
• Full rat-tail tang: Provides a proper balance and greater strength.
• High-carbon no-stain steel, an exclusive J.A. Henckels formula: Non-staining, non-rusting.
• Hand, precision honed blade: Is sharper and stays sharper longer.
• Bonded polypropylene handles: Comfortable molded handles and food safe
• Dishwasher safe: Easy care (Although hand-washing is recommended by J.A. Henckels).
• Full warranty: J.A. Henckels stands behind all its knives.

I just wanted to set the record straight, and let prospective buyers know that there are real differences between the 4 and 5 star cleavers. Some people might need a larger one, but I have never met anyone who would give up a 6" cleaver for a 5" model. It's a cleaver, not a slicer. Even if you are just preparing wings for the fryer, you will appreciate the difference.


Close...but not quite.   January 17, 2003
 0 out of 4 found this review helpful

This is a nice cleaver, but it is a tad small for all around work. I used one for a while, and prefer the 5 star cleaver. I wrote this review because someone said that the only difference between the 4 and 5 star is the handle. Not so. Catalog pictures reveal a similar profile, but the 5 star is a 6" cleaver, while the 4 star is a 5" cleaver. The extra inch makes a huge difference. It can tackle larger jobs, yet does the smaller ones with less effort, and better control. I know that the 5 star description says 7" length, but that is not the blade length. It is 6". Trust me. Also, the 4 star cleaver advertises the use of the multi steel "welded, then forged" contruction that is supposed to offer good edge quality with ease of manufacture, while the 5 star cleaver is made of a single forging of their premium "ice hardened" Friodur steel. The handle is a personal choice. I prefer the 5 star handle for comfort and control, but some will prefer the other. I just wanted to set the record straight, and let prospective buyers know that there are real differences between the 4 and 5 star cleavers. Some people might need a larger one, but I have never met anyone who would give up a 6" cleaver for a 5" model. It's a cleaver, not a slicer. Even if you are just preparing wings for the fryer, you will appreciate the difference.


Close...but not quite.   January 17, 2003
 3 out of 7 found this review helpful

This is a nice cleaver, but it is a tad small for all around work. I used one for a while, and prefer the 5 star cleaver. I wrote this review because someone said that the only difference between the 4 and 5 star is the handle. Not so. The 5 star is a 6" cleaver, while the 4 star is a 5" cleaver. The extra inch makes a huge difference. It can tackle larger jobs, yet does the smaller ones with less effort, and better control. I know that the 5 star description says 7" length, but that is not the blade length. It is 6". Trust me. Also, the 4 star cleaver advertises the use of the multi steel "welded, then forged" contruction that is supposed to offer good edge quality with ease of manufacture, while the 5 star cleaver is made of a single forging of their "ice hardened" Friodur steel. The handle is a personal choice. I prefer the 5 star handle for comfort and control, but some will prefer the other. I just wanted to set the record straight, and let prospective buyers know that there are real differences between the 4 and 5 star cleavers. Some people might need a larger one, but I have never met anyone who would give up a 6" cleaver for a 5" model. It's a cleaver, not a slicer.


Wicked nice.   January 13, 2002
 5 out of 6 found this review helpful

This is a hefty, well balanced cleaver that tackles any job with aplomb, then cleans up in the dishwasher and stays sharp almost forever. It will not fit in any block though, so (carefully) arrange a space in your knife drawer for this beauty.