First Look: True Knives Berm Cleaver Flipper

A budge-priced EDC cleaver that is priced for rough use.

Cleavers have broken out of the butcher shop and kitchen in recent years to become a sought-after EDC. Seems counterintuitive, but there’s a method in the knife-buying world’s madness.

One of the more interesting conversations I had at BLADE Show West 2024 came with a crane rigger who favored this style of blade.  With the flat cutting edge that makes mincemeat of heavy-duty rope and a muted tip, he didn’t have to worry about perforating himself, the knife class is highly practical in the pocket.

This is all a long way to say, there’s a new pocket cleaver in town with True Knives dropping the Berm Cleaver Flipper.

Part of the brand’s new Berm series, the knife offers a budget option most users won’t shy away from rough use. Yet, for its price, the knife offers a nice profile, though it might lack some in the steel True Knives uses for the blade.

Berm Cleaver Flipper Blade

To that point, the Berm Cleaver Flipper is constructed of 7Cr17MoV, a popular choice in budget knives. While the metal does take a good edge and has respectable hardness and excellent corrosion resistance, it has a few hitches in its giddyap. In particular, its toughness—particularly in thinner blades—is wanting, and edge retention is not among the best.

Still, this is a budget EDC we’re talking about.  Despite the steel’s drawback, True Knife has come up with a fairly spiffy blade profile. The knife has a fairly traditional cleaver look, though the 2.5-inch blade boasts a slight belly and does have a bit of a tip. The tip is welcome, making the knife more useful for everyday tasks where a puncturing point is required.

The brand includes generous jimping on nearly the entirety of the spine, offering extra purchase on chopping tasks. Additionally, there is a good choil on the blade, which helps in making sure you can sharpen the entire blade.

Berm Cleaver Flipper Handle

The grip is where the cleaver shines, with a relatively nice affair laid out. First off, I’m a sucker for the translucent green G-10, it gives the knife a modern look without being too audacious. Plus, particularly on a build at this price point, the G-10 is a solid material choice—textured nicely to make it stick to the hand.

Also appreciated, the cleaver’s clip is not only reversible but can be situated for tip-up or down carry. A versatile bonus on the knife.

Berm Cleaver Flipper Action

As its name suggests, the Berm Cleaver Flipper, though it’s a front flipper offering both index finger and thumb deployment. Additionally, it has a prominent thumb hole.

Smartly, True Knives has cut away some of the handle to offer access to the deployment mechanism, allowing users plenty of leverage options to get the blade to work. Caged bearing aids in a smooth and fast opening.

Final Cut

With an MSRP of $30, the Berm Cleaver Flipper is made for heavy use and abuse. The best part, if you put it through the wringer you won’t cry over a broken knife.

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