Probably Stolen Kitchen Knife vs Meat Cleaver: Any Difference?
For butchering there is no difference: the Kitchen Knife and Meat Cleaver use the same slaughter action on rats and fish, and switching blades does not change the yield. They differ only as stock — the cleaver is rarer, prints slower and its chip is worth more.
On this page
Side by side
| Kitchen Knife | Meat Cleaver | |
|---|---|---|
| Butchering rats and fish | Yes | Yes — identical result |
| Base value | 45 Credits | Higher-tier melee stock |
| 3D Printer chip | x4 per print, 64 work (3 nights), chip 200 | x4 per print, 82 work (4 nights), chip 300 |
| Underground Exchange | 5% branch from 2 Dream Dust (purity 60+) | Added to the knife roll at combined purity 120+ |
| Other sources | Evidence lockers, supply crates, scavengers, junkyard | Exchange and printing |
How butchering works
- 01
Kill first, then cut
Either blade kills a live rat or fish and then cuts the carcass. A dead animal can be cut directly.
- 02
Yield comes from the animal
Weight, disease and species decide the cuts. A Graft Tilapia gives one skin graft per full 200 g; a Sturgeon’s full egg jars give caviar.
- 03
Or automate it
The Auto Butcher (400 Credits) processes animals overnight by weight, age and breeding quotas.
Selling melee weapons
Melee weapons are trade goods as well as tools. Lou’s first visit buys melee weapons, and a Melee Batch Module adds one extra blade per print if you make them on the 3D Printer.
Common questions
Is there a difference between the meat cleaver and kitchen knife?
Not for butchering: both use the same action and give the same yield. They differ in value, rarity and printing time.
Do I need a knife to keep fish or rats?
No. A blade is only needed to slaughter and fillet; keeping, breeding and feeding do not require one.
Sources & version notes
Community game-data research. Sources reviewed October 31, 2026. This guide does not claim an independent in-game test.
- Nico Wiki: Kitchen Knife
Value, butchering behaviour, sources and comparison with the cleaver.
- Nico Wiki: Underground Exchange
Knife and cleaver reward branches.
- Nico Wiki: 3D printing & gunsmithing
Chip batch, work and value.