Expat Cleaver – 5.50″ 1095 Black Oxide Full-Tang Cleaver Blade, Black G-10 Handle – ESEE-CL1

The ESEE Expat Cleaver (CL-1) is a full-tang 1095 carbon steel cleaver with a 5.50″ blade, designed with an adventurer and trainer known as Expat for heavy outdoor work in hot, wet, demanding environments.

Expat drew on years of working in South American jungles to shape a tool that handles the heavy cutting a small knife can’t. ESEE grinds the 0.19″ thick blade from 1095 carbon steel at 55-57 HRC, a tough, straightforward steel that takes a keen edge and is easy to touch up in the field, and finishes it in tumbled black oxide. The long, flat edge gives plenty of working length for chopping and processing, while the curved tip adds control for finer cuts. Black G-10 scales with rounded edges keep the grip comfortable during extended use, and the extended tang at the pommel adds a lanyard hole and can be used for light striking tasks.

• Blade: 5.50″ full-tang 1095 carbon steel cleaver, flat grind, plain edge with a long flat section and curved tip, tumbled black oxide finish, 0.19″ thick, 55-57 HRC. 11.50″ overall.
• Handle: Black G-10 scales with rounded edges, 6.00″ long. Extended tang pommel with lanyard hole.
• Construction: Full-tang fixed blade, with no folding or locking mechanism.
• Carry: 25.5 oz. Includes a black leather blade cover.

Ideal for: campers and overlanders who want a compact chopper for processing wood and clearing brush; outdoorsmen working in humid, rough country who want one heavy tool for camp chores; and ESEE collectors adding a distinctive cleaver pattern.

Care: 1095 is not stainless. It may develop a patina where the finish wears, so keep the blade dry and lightly oiled.

ESEE Expat Cleaver: Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most common questions about the ESEE Expat Cleaver (ESEE-CL1).

What type of blade and cover does the ESEE Expat Cleaver (ESEE-CL1) have?

The Expat Cleaver has a full-tang 5.50″ cleaver blade in 1095 carbon steel at 55-57 HRC, flat ground with a plain edge, a long flat section, a curved tip, and a tumbled black oxide finish. The blade is 0.19″ thick, the cleaver is 11.50″ overall, and it weighs 25.5 oz. It comes with a black leather blade cover.

Who designed the Expat Cleaver, and what is it for?

The CL-1 was designed by ESEE with an adventurer and trainer known as Expat, who drew on his experience working in South American jungle environments. It is built for heavy outdoor cutting such as chopping, processing wood, and clearing brush, with the curved tip available for finer work.

What does the extended tang pommel do?

The full tang extends past the G-10 scales at the pommel. That exposed steel includes a lanyard hole and can be used for light striking tasks around camp.

What’s included with the ESEE Expat Cleaver (ESEE-CL1)?

The Expat Cleaver ships with the cleaver and a black leather blade cover. Package contents are subject to change by the manufacturer.

How do I care for the 1095 carbon steel blade?

1095 is a carbon steel, not a stainless steel, so it can rust if left wet, and it may develop a patina where the tumbled black oxide finish wears. Wipe the blade clean and dry after each use, keep it lightly oiled, and avoid storing it in the leather cover for long periods while damp.

Where is the ESEE Expat Cleaver made, and what is the warranty?

The Expat Cleaver is made in the USA by ESEE. ESEE Warranty: Contact ESEE directly for warranty terms and service.

1095 Carbon Steel · Full Tang · Leather Blade Cover

A Compact Cleaver Built for Heavy Camp Work

A 5.5″ full-tang 1095 cleaver with G-10 scales and an extended tang pommel, shaped by years of jungle work.

Specifications