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I think you are both missing one major point. Bone cleavers are about three times heaver than the regular varieties. Curvature is a feature, but weight is more so.
Yes, weight + gravity + speed = total force of impact.
My four tools for bone cutting:
Top cleaver, good enough for chicken bones.
The saw, I don't use.
Bottom, good enough for pork ribs. Notice the front edge has extra metal for added weight, and the extra length of the handle which will give you lots of speed when you swing the cleaver down.
The fourth? My table saw in my shop for large bones like in pork butts. It takes 5 seconds without effort.
dcarch