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Head to head

Gerber Fastball vs Kershaw Mini Iridium

Gerber Fastball runs a 3″ wharncliffe blade in CPM-S30V; Kershaw Mini Iridium runs 3″ of reverse tanto in D2. The Kershaw Mini Iridium is the lighter of the two by 0.20 oz.

01234567 in
  • Gerber Fastball · Wharncliffe
    3″ blade · 0.11″ spine · 2.7 oz · ~0.9″ tall
  • Kershaw Mini Iridium · Reverse Tanto
    3″ blade · 0.09″ spine · 2.5 oz · ~0.86″ tall
Spine thickness, same scale
0.11″
0.09″
Length and spine thickness drawn to true scale from published specs. Outline traced from the maker's side-profile photo.
SpecGerberGerber FastballCheck priceKershawKershaw Mini IridiumCheck price
Blade length3″3″
Spine thickness0.11″0.09″
Overall length7.1″6.9″
Closed length4.1″3.9″
Weight2.7 oz2.5 oz
Blade shapeWharncliffeReverse Tanto
SteelCPM-S30VD2
GrindFlatFlat
LockLinerDuraLock
Handle materialAluminum6061-T6 Aluminum
Country of originUSAChina
Price bandMidMid

Tinted rows are where these two differ.

The steel difference

CPM-S30V

The long-time American benchmark. Holds an edge far longer than 420HC and still sharpens on ordinary stones. Chippy if you pry with it.

D2

Semi-stainless: enough chromium to resist spotting, not enough to be stainless. Big carbides mean long edge life and a coarse, toothy edge.