kimr74•1mo agoProlific Poster

Had to pick between a band saw and a cleaver for breaking down pigs... went with the saw

3 comments

3 Comments

Oh yeah, the saw is the way to go for sure... once you get through that first shoulder or ham, you really start to appreciate having that extra control. Cleavers are great for splitting smaller stuff like chicken or rabbit, but on a big 200 pound hog you'll be fighting that blade all day trying to get through the hip joint. Plus with the saw you can make cleaner cuts right where you want them, especially around the spine and those tough connective spots. The cleaver just feels like you're hacking away at it, you know?

emma_flores1mo ago

Lean into those hip joints with a boning knife first, @sean_cooper58, then the saw glides right through.

robin6281mo ago

Exactly what @emma_flores said makes a huge difference in how clean that cut ends up.