combo edge vs plain edge

T

tomdogma

Joined
Nov 29, 2008
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i am thinking about a benchmade 707 for edc and i can't decide between combo or plain edge any thoughts anyone??
thanks!
 
Here's a quote from the benchmade website...

"There's never a dull moment with a Benchmade... That's right! We will gladly re-sharpen your Benchmade knife to a factory razor sharp edge (service does not apply to any serrated portion of the blade). "

So if you wont be able to sharpen serrations on your own.. i would stick with a plain edge blade which can easily be sent in...
I will never buy a blade with serrations myself..

PLUS-1 for PLAIN EDGE
 
I'd go for plain edge all the way. Serrations, IMHO are a gimmick used as a selling ploy. There is nothing I can think of that a sharp plain edge wouldn't cut that serrations can. Even the classic line "what about rope and seatbelts?" doesn't mean squat to me. A good plain edge will cut rope or seatbelts as fast or faster than serrations.

If usefulness is your only concern, plain edge all the way. If you like the look of serrations then go for the combo edge.

Bottom line, I think serrations are useless and get in the way and are a pain in the a$$ to sharpen.
 
This is the second thread in less than a week on serrations, and still, I cannot understand why anyone would purchase a knife that was "half finished". TO top it off, besides throwing the knife in the bin half-ground, they charge more! Grind it all the way to the hilt, I say! Don;t stop and leave a ragged edge!
 
countryboycansurvive said:
I'd go for plain edge all the way. Serrations, IMHO are a gimmick used as a selling ploy.
Click to expand...

IMHO your statement is a little bit of BS... While I dont care for serrations.. They do cut better than Plain edge in some tasks...... Not many but some... Hopefully someone who actually uses a serrated blade can chime in...
Also.. I have an old spyderco delica that I had found hiking about 4 years ago.. While it was already used... I used it even more... And yes those dull serrations will cut better than the dull plain edge portion...
 
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trimcut123 said:
IMHO your statement is a little bit of BS... While I dont care for serrations.. They do cut better than Plain edge in some tasks...... Not many but some... Hopefully someone who actually uses a serrated blade can chime in...
Also.. I have an old spyderco delica that I had found hiking about 4 years ago.. While it was already used... I used it even more... And yes those dull serrations will cut better than the dull plain edge portion...
Click to expand...

Serrations last longer, and if you have a sharpmaker or similar, I've heard they're pretty easy to sharpen.

That being said, +1 PS knives. The only knife it'd get in a SE would be a Spydero Salt or similar, and even then it's questionable.

Note: I own an assist, but alas, it doesn't come in PE.

Combo edges are crap. Unless the blade is 8" long, with 4" of each, there isn't enough there to make it work well.
 
Firstly you've got to decide what your mainly using your knife for.
Personally I can not live with out a combo edge or serrated edge at work. Out of the three folders( 2 PE & 1 CE) I have at work the combo edge always gets used the most. EDC away from work for me is always a plain Edge. There are a lot of things which serrated edges simply just cut a lot easier.
Yes they are not the easiest to sharpen, but that doesn't mean you cant sharpen them. If that worries you buy a cheap combo edge that you can afford to replace when the serrations are worn out or buy something with D2 steel which might last a lot longer.
Also I feel the serrations on a lot of combo edge blades, especially blades less than 3.5 inches take up too much of the blade consequently making the surface area of plain edge too small.
And remember not all serrations are created equal!
 
trimcut123 said:
While I dont care for serrations.. They do cut better than Plain edge in some tasks...... Not many but some... Hopefully someone who actually uses a serrated blade can chime in...
.
Click to expand...

If they work for you then that's great. I have about half a dozen in a box on the shelf that I won't even give for gifts. I've used them plenty but still have found nothing, again, nothing that a plain edge won't cut just as well.:thumbup:
 
countryboycansurvive said:
There is nothing I can think of that a sharp plain edge wouldn't cut that serrations can.
Click to expand...


Have you ever tried slicing a loaf of bread with a PlainEdge? Serrated will out slice bread any day.

I know, who slices bread with their EDC? I definitely don't, I have a serrated kitchen knife for that.

I prefer PlainEdge on all my EDCs +1
 
Most of my loafs are about 10" wide. (Round bakers loafs). Most of my knives aren't that long, thus SE wouldn't matter.

How many PE vs SE vs CE threads are there now? I can't search, but I can imagine there are a lot.
 
On plain vs. serrated, I prefer plain edges with my knives. On any with 3" or shorter blades I don't see the "point" (sorry...) of a combo edged blade. It doesn't leave much actual edge to work with. So my vote goes towards getting a PE 707!
 
On a knife that small plain edge. The combo edge is a terrible compromise and that knife doesnt come with full serrations.
 
Not all serrations are equal. With Cold Steel folders, I love the serrations. They're easy to sharpen and they cut for a very long time and will easily go through paper and seat belts. My everyday knife is a Cold Steel Gunsite, which is a half serrated model and I'm not likely to change. With Benchmade, their serrations are a bit course and bumpy (though not nearly as bad as others, like CRKT). I like fine serrations and Cold Steel's pattern is perfect for me. If I have to cut nylon cord or seat belts in an emergency situation, I want a pattern that will cut smoothly and quickly. Benchmade serrations aren't horrible, but I'd go for a plain edge. Benchmade uses fine steel and serrations just aren't needed in my opinion.
 
While I do prefer PE myself, an SE for cleaning out a big game animal just plain and simple out preforms the PE , as far as someones above statement about the plain edge can cut just as good, bring your blade to me I'd love to see it zip through some elk ribs and leave this SE in the dust, I've tried them all over 26+ years in the field, and while the SE is limited IMO, there are very useful situations for it.
 
I do have a few knives with a combination edge. I do like serrations for some things. It's all personal preference. They can be a real pain to sharpen.
 
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