best blade type

H

hkphooey

Joined
Jul 29, 2006
Messages
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This is a dumb question, but what is the best blade type to get for Spyderco's? Specifically, I wanted to see if the Combo Edge was worthwhile, or if either the Spyder or Plain Edges were more useful.

Thanks!
 
It depends on what you're planning to do with the knife. For everyday stuff, I like a thin bladed plain edge. For cutting carpet or poly pipe, you can't beat a serrated hawkbill. For skinning you like some belly in the blade. For whittling, wharncliffs are nice. You're probably getting the idea here.

Gordon
 
To me, the combo edge gives you the worst of both worlds. A plain edge too short to slice with and a serrated edge too short to saw with. The perfect solution (if you can find one) is the Dyad or Dyad Jr. That gives you a full serrated and a full plain edge in one package. For 95% of my cutting chores, PE gets the nod, but it sure is nice to have that SE blade along for the other 5%
 
I theory, the arguement against combo edges may seem true, but in actual use (real use, not opening mail and cleaning fingernails), so long as you keep the blade sharp, a combo edge works very nicely. Much better than a PE in heavy work and long term use without sharpening situations. PE dulls and becomes unusable quickly when cutting down boxes, plastic, etc. in a work enviroment. PE is great for casual EDC and slicing situations, but is totally outclassed by SE and CE in work situations.
 
For a typical EDC, PE is a good all around choice.

If you are going to be cutting a lot of fibrous material, then SE is great.

The old style Spyderco Remote Release was a permanent fixture on my right LBV strap while serving with 2/187 Infantry. We were a Air Assault unit so there was a lot of sling rope and rappelling rope around. Had it there to access in case of an emergency. Never needed it, but it was comforting.
 
I like the Endura with the combo edge. The serrated portion is great for starting cuts on bagels, but the plain edge part is better for spreading cream cheese.
 
Best use I have found for combo edges is to slice sausage in its casing. other than that, I have heard of people sharpening plain edged knives more coarsly near the hilt and getting a similar effect as a combo edge.
 
I've found that blade length is kinda critical in a combo edge for the things I do:) I'm currently monkeying with a Delica 4 in a CE and trying to like it:) I'm more of a PE type person - it just works best for my general EDC things. For what I've been doing, it's not that bad, all things considered - you just have to pay a bit more attention when you cut. I tend to cut a fair amount of cardboard and prefer an SE blade for this, but if you angle it right and start with the PE portion it works quite well. Things like clam paks, etc - you really have to watch or you'll hang up.

I also have an Endura 3 with a combo edge and it's actually very nice to use - you have enough of both, but then you also have a lot longer blade. I bought my first fully serrated edge folder, a Rescue 93mm a few months ago and when I got my Delica 4's (I have 4:D ), one of them was an SE one. Don't use it that much, but I do carry it and it works great on server boxes:) When I got my Endura 4, it was CE, but I do intend to have a PE one and an SE one.

Just my thoughts - gord
 
I find combo edge is super useful in my life, but I just don't like how it looks, so virtually all of my knives are plain edge.
 
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