A battle-ready battle cleaver, like other battle ready swords, can be used for live cutting practice. However, the relatively superior robust blade and overall construction of a cleaver (or swords like it, such as a falcata) means that you can cut some targets that would be inadvisable with other swords. Here are 5 of them. 

• Water bottles. All things being equal, filled water bottles are probably the best targets of all for live cutting practice, since they are relatively easy to cut through, effectively free (just go through the recycling bin), and pose little threat to the blade. You will need a very sharp battle cleaver to get through water bottles, though. 
  
  
• Fruits and vegetables. Slightly more expensive, fruits and vegetables like squashes and melons can also make great targets for live cutting practice with a battle cleaver. For a bigger challenge, consider sizing down the target and trying to cut something smaller like apples. 
  
  
• Paper and cardboard targets. Paper and cardboard targets will require a very sharp edge and will be a little harder on your edge than the first two targets mentioned, but they can still be effective for live cutting practice. 
  
  
• Rolled mats. Rolled mats can also be used for live cutting practice, though they are a little harder to come by. These are used by practitioners of traditional Japanese martial arts. 
  
  
• Specifically, splitting wood, which is really just for fun. Since battle cleavers have more robust, thicker blades, they can be used to split small rounds of wood, similarly to how an axe can be used for the same purpose. This is a different type of live cutting practice, but it is really gratifying to split a round cleanly with a battle cleaver. 

What Makes It Battle-Ready?

If you’re wondering only a true battle ready cleaver should be used for live cutting practice, and there are three primary things to look for: 

• The sword should sport a full tang that is nearly the width of the blade, and which passes through the entire hilt.
• The sword should be forged from an appropriate steel alloy.
• The sword should be treated with a proper temper which will prevent damage to the blade when it is used for live cutting practice. 

Notes for Care After Live Cutting Practice

If you use your battle cleaver for live cutting practice, especially with fruits and vegetables, make sure you wipe the blade down after every use, then thoroughly dry it before storing. You should also get in the habit of lightly oiling the blade before storing the sword as well, as this will help prevent etching, pitting, staining, corrosion and rust. 

Where to Get a Battle Cleaver

If you’re in the market for a battle-ready battle cleaver, the first place you should look is online at True Swords. True to its name, True Swords carries a wide range of battle ready sword patterns, some of them cleavers or cleaver-adjacent, like their Spartan swords. Check out their collection and get in touch with them if you have any questions before you buy. 

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