Gerber MiniSada 3.13" folding knife review - a budget blade under $50

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REVIEW – Hi, my name is Zack and I have a knife problem although I’d prefer to call myself a knife aficionado. I just reviewed the very expensive Benchmade Bugout 535-09 and of course it’s hard not to love a knife of that quality but sometimes you just need something cheap but reliable. The original Gerber 625 Gator was one of the first folding knives I ever bought and was under $15 if I remember right. It’s a simple cheap knife that I kept in my tackle box and didn’t care if it got beat up but was always there when I needed it. The Gerber MiniSada is cheaper than the latest version of the Gator and continues the tradition of simple reliable performance.

⬇︎ Jump to summary (pros/cons)
Price: $49.99
Where to buy: Gerber Gear

What is it?

The Gerber MiniSada is a 3.13″ D2 tool steel bladed flipper folding knife. It sports a frame lock combined with a slim profile that fits easily in your pocket.

What’s included?

- 1 x Gerber MiniSada

Tech specs

Overall Length: 7.2”
Handle Length: 4.07”
Blade Length: 3.13”
Weight: 3.34 oz
Blade: D2 steel, plain edge, drop point
Blade Finish: Stonewash
Handle Material: Aluminum, flat sage green
Opening: Thumbhole and back flipper
Pocket Clip: Yes
Country of Origin: China

Design and features

The Gerber MiniSada is small in size but offers some significant function. A compact 3.13” D2 tool steel blade retains an edge nicely and has a very useful drop point profile with the tip just above center line. It might be cheap but it doesn’t look it.

Gerber MiniSada 08 — My OG Gator 625 below

The ergonomic handle is a flat sage green aluminum and fits in the hand comfortably. The blade tension is adjustable and since it lacks ball bearings you will probably want to loosen it a little like I did. The drab red back spacer adds a touch of color but lacks a lanyard hole.

The frame lock is very secure and locks up nicely. I found it a bit tricky to gain purchase with my thumb to activate though. I would prefer a crossbar or pivot lock as Gerber calls it on their Scout since it keeps your thumb out of the blade’s travel and is ambidextrous.

The flipper is my favorite opening method and flicks the blade open easily. The thumbhole is a bit narrow for my liking and a little harder to use so the flipper will be my primary opening method. The Gerber MiniSada isn’t a knife you’ll write home about but offers everything a budget knife should. At a penny under $50 the MiniSada is a great option for those looking for a deal. The website stated the MiniSada weighs 2.5oz but I weighed it at 3.34oz likely due to the steel frame lock and liner under the green aluminum.

Final thoughts

The Gerber MiniSada is a great no frills EDC knife selling for $49.99. If you want a larger 3.47” blade the SlimSada has you covered for only $10 more but is missing the flipper opening. The Asada offers a cleaver blade and flipper opening but weighs in at a stout 4.7oz. If they added the flipper to the SlimSada I would prefer the larger blade but the MiniSada is a useful size and compact enough to fit in the pocket easily. All three are great options in you are looking for a budget friendly folding knife.

What I like about the Gerber MiniSada knife

Cheap without feeling cheap
Adjustable blade tension

What needs to be improved?

Offer a full size Sada flipper

Price: $49.99
Where to buy: Gerber website
Source: The sample of this product was provided for free by Gerber Gear. They did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.