The Messermeister Meridian Elite Forged Meat Cleaver is forged from a single large blank of steel and is widely regarded as the finest forged cleaver with a triple rivet handle on the market. Featuring Messermeister's elite edge, it's sharpness is enhanced by the cleaver's weight of 1.2-lbs. This heavy blade is desirable to help cut, chop and split joints and bones. Messermeister Meridian Elite knives are one-piece, hot-drop hammer forged from a single billet of the finest German stainless steel alloy and outfitted with the most durable industrial strength handle in the world. Messermeister Meridian Elite knives are handcrafted one at a time using the same techniques that have been the hallmark of fine Solingen made cutlery for hundreds of years. Messermeister Meridian Elite knives are simply the best original forged knives made in Germany.