The Salvaged Cleaver is an early-game harvesting tool in RUST that remains relevant even in end-game play. This persistence is due to its effectiveness and ready availability for those hitting barrels and opening crates. Players farming junk piles for loot frequently loot many of these cleavers to aid their efforts further.
As a tool, you can use a salvaged cleaver to harvest animal carcasses for Cloth, Leather, Meat, Bone Fragments, and Animal Fat. Using items such as the Combat Knife or bone knife performs this task more efficiently and produces better results, but the salvaged cleaver will work in a pinch.
As a weapon, the salvaged cleaver does significant damage in one long, slow swing. Missing when fighting someone with a more forgiving, faster-swinging weapon can be devastating, so ensure that you make an impact when you swing the cleaver.
This cleaver is also known for being able to break the more durable blue barrels in a single swing, making it a favorite of roadside farmers.