Any love for combo edges?

M

Mud Shrimp Moe

Joined
Nov 6, 2011
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All, I've read pros and cons of serrated edges in general, with most users preferring plain edges for most things but acknowledging that serrated edges have advantages, particularly cutting rope, fabric (seatbelts), or anything that tends to "give" (such as food prep ... meat, bread). But overall, I've seen a lot of negativity toward combo edges, saying they generally don't have the full advantage or either the plain edge or serrated edge.

So the thread purpose is to ask if there are any contrarions here who enjoy combo edges? I figure they must sell ok, as many models come in a CE version.

I own two of them, an Endura 3 and a Tenacious. Both were purchased at a discount (i.e. I got the CE because the PE or SE equivalents were a bit more money) and just to try out CEs. I have to say that while CE isn't my favorite all-uses blade, I don't mind the CE on these two knives. Both still have a fair amount of plain edge left for precision slicing, but also enough SE so that if I ever have to slice through rope (which is rare) I have serrations.

Any input?
 
I started carrying a ce military as my work knife a few months ago and absolutely love it. It seems to be the best of both worlds for me. I cut a fair amount of dirty nylon rope/jet line when pulling wire and the serrated portion just rips through it and stays sharp forever. I found that nylon rope would dull a pe blade quickly but the serrations aren't nearly as prone to damage. I still carry pe knives when I'm not @ work but for a work knife I dont think you can beat a ce.
 
For my edc tasks, I rarely come across a need for serrations. Plus, I can't use my personal knife at work either (gotta use a utility knife), so I avoid CE blades all together. I like to think I'm pretty good at sharpening a blade but serrations are a pain in the butt to sharpen imo.

If I had a job that had tasks were serrations would help (like some of things the OP mentioned), I'd carry one.
 
no love here for combo edges. if i need/what serrations, i'll get a fully serrated blade. i don't own any fully serrated pocket knives, i keep my plain edges sharp, they will slice right through whatever i need to.

i own two serrated kitchen knives (9"), i rarely ever use them. i keep my straight edge kitchen knives sharp and they will easily slice through whatever food is on the cutting board.
 
When it comes to kitchen knives, I strongly prefer serrated blades for slicing bread or tomatoes. Again, when the material of your cut "gives" quite a bit, I find serrations do a better job. For meat ... and for the same reasons, serrations aren't too shabby either.
 
With combo edges finding the right serrated / plain edge ratio can be tricky and IMO is really more about personal preference of what will work for you. Personally I've no time for combo edges with less than 50% serrations. Frankly I'd rather carry full SE. In fact My perfect combo edge is the "full" SE Millie with it's 75% serrated 25% plain edge.

Bo
 
Nope. I agree with a couple previous posters. It's a lot easier to put a sharp edge on a plain blade. My feeling is that if I keep my plain edge sharp, it will cut whatever I need to cut. Never had a problem. If I need a saw, I'll buy a saw! I'll stick my neck out and say you'd have a hard time convincing me that a serrated blade has any advantage at all over a plain edge, as long as you know how to get a sharp edge in the first place, but to each his own. Buy what works for you. For me, it's plain edges.
 
Mud Shrimp Moe said:
Any love for combo edges?
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Not from me. I've tried them and found them wanting. It might be OK if the blade were 5" or greater. Shorter than that and IMO, you don't get enough of either edge to be useful.
 
I've got a few knives with combo edges that I use and like. My Benchmade Stryker is a favorite.
 
I've been happy with a couple of fully serrated blades but haven't gone for combination edges in a long time. 4" blade with 1" of serrations isn't bad. In the post office, we had twine, plastic bands, and plastic sheeting, and serrations worked nicely on that.

Easy to say that a well-sharpened plain edge can do the job, but when few of us had any idea or equipment for sharpening, those combo edges were a good idea.

I don't look for them now.
 
bodankers said:
With combo edges finding the right serrated / plain edge ratio can be tricky and IMO is really more about personal preference of what will work for you. Personally I've no time for combo edges with less than 50% serrations. Frankly I'd rather carry full SE. In fact My perfect combo edge is the "full" SE Millie with it's 75% serrated 25% plain edge.

Bo
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I like my combo edge Endura 3 pretty well. I didn't seek out a combo edge, but the knife was really cheap on eBay (as it should have been, it's got signs it's been used a lot). The blade is long enough that it's got a good amount of serrations but still enough PE to do some delicate work. No knife can do everything, but I think it will make a good working knife.

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I like combo edges as long as I have a decent amount of plain edge also on a blade. I don't like fully serrated blades. There are times when serrations come in very handy and times when plain edges work best. In my opinion partially serrated blades kinda give you the best of both worlds.
 
I've carried a CE for many years. Never had issue or even thought twice about it. Never even thought it was at all a bad idea until I found internet forums. :)
I still carry them and I'm fine with them. They work for me, for the jobs I've had to do. YMMV

Having said that, most of my purchases lately have been plain edge. I have a feeling a CE Delica will still somehow be in my EDC rotation though. :thumbup:
 
I don't care for combo edges. I made an exception for the USN Catcherman since it's got so much edge in front of the serrations. Gotta say, they are kind of a nuisance.

 
The only combo edge I've got is a Blackie Collins River Knife from Gerber, that I use when canoeing, apart from that I never use or own own (except in the kitchen). I find I get by fine with a plain edge the rest of the time.

John
 
Nope.. I'm an all or nothing guy. I like full serrations (Spyderco's only) or plain edge.
 
If you use a sharpmaker and touch up the edge frequently serrations are amazingly easy to keep sharp. The serrations on my ce millie get used every day @ work and are still as sharp as they were when new. It just takes a few passes on the sharpmaker/strop and the serrations are back to push cutting receipt paper.
 
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