Seems like I’m doing a lot of knife reviews right now. I was watching some highlights from the SHOT Show 2020 that happened last January. While I saw a bunch of cool tech in knives I found myself more interested in the mini-cleaver type of knives. The two that came to mind are the Gerber Tri-Tip and the CRKT Minimalist Cleaver. The two knives are great but each of them serves a different function.
Here are some specs:
Gerber Tri-Tip
Features
- Cleaver style blade
- Satin finish blade
- Machined aluminum scales
- Plain edge
- Tip down or scout carry options
- Lanyard hole
- Blade Steel: 7Cr17MoV
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Weight: 3 oz
CRKT Minimalist Cleaver
SPECIFICATIONS
- Blade Length 2.13″ (54.13 mm)
- Blade Edge Plain
- Blade Steel 5Cr15MoV
- Blade Finish Bead Blast
- Blade Thickness 0.10″ (2.59 mm)
- Overall Length 5.06″ (128.52 mm)
- Weight 1.70 oz. (48.19g)
- Handle Polished Resin Infused Fiber
- Style Fixed Blade Knife w/Sheath
- Sheath Material Polypropylene
- Sheath Weight 0.60 oz. (17.01g)
The CRKT Minimalist seems more like a neck knife but I found that the handle is much better on it than the Gerber Tri-Tip. The Gerber Tri-Tip is a great knife to use during an outdoor cooking event. I would have enjoyed the Minimalist more if it was just a little bigger.
I bought the Minimalist. I have a minimalist Bowie as well. Have not seen the Gerber entry as yet. I saw the Minimalist as something I might whittle with and still have usefulness when performing everyday tasks like opening boxes, etc. Never occurred to me to slice a tomato with it. Glad to see it can be done.
The Minimalist is kind of like having just the heel of a regular knife, the part that you whittle with. Get one and you will be sharpening everyone’s hotdog and marshmallow sticks at the campsite, not stuck with slicing tomatoes.