Disadvantages of a combo blade?

B

Bill S.

Joined
Oct 15, 2008
Messages
25
Hey folks.

What don't you like about a combo blade? Specifically, a 3-1/2-inch one.

Thanks.

Bill
 
I dont like the fact that there is not enough of either edge style to play to the advantages of both. Also there is really nothing that serrations and comboedges can do that plain edges dont do.
 
I dont really have any dislikes regarding "Combo Edges" I do alot of cutting of Banding at work and the serrations really help with that also with heavy cardboard. And I will use the plain edge portion for detail work or scrapping. On weekends though I prefer to stick with PE knives...
DSC02280.jpg
 
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Tends to be too short to effectively use either style. I tend to go towards PE because I can't think of enough uses for a SE. Plus it tends to scare more people.
 
dtownknifekid said:
I dont like the fact that there is not enough of either edge style to play to the advantages of both. Also there is really nothing that serrations and comboedges can do that plain edges dont do.
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I had a 3 1/2" combo and that was my experience with it.

The other problem I found was that if I wanted to cut something with the plain edge, I had to cut farther out on the blade where you have less control. I found it to be an issue if I needed to cut something that required much force to cut.
 
knarfeng said:
I had a 3 1/2" combo and that was my experience with it.

The other problem I found was that if I wanted to cut something with the plain edge, I had to cut farther out on the blade where you have less control. I found it to be an issue if I needed to cut something that required much force to cut.
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one of Boker's models has the serrated edge out towards the tip and the plain edge towards the tang to solve this problem. Then again, it's a cheap Boker+ model, so... yeah.
 
The question is one that I've been wrestling with.
I would love to find a 3" or under folder that does it all - EDC and hiking, camping work.
I go back and forth between a Spyderco Delica or Benchmade Griptilian - PE or PS

I haven't made up my mind yet although I'm leaning towards the PS just because the serrations require less sharpening when you are hiking.

I do like the idea of the serrations of a PS blade at the front.

Anyone know of a 3" or less folder that has that set up?
 
dextersp1 said:
The question is one that I've been wrestling with.
I would love to find a 3" or under folder that does it all - EDC and hiking, camping work.
I go back and forth between a Spyderco Delica or Benchmade Griptilian - PE or PS

I haven't made up my mind yet although I'm leaning towards the PS just because the serrations require less sharpening when you are hiking.

I do like the idea of the serrations of a PS blade at the front.

Anyone know of a 3" or less folder that has that set up?
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The only two folders like that I can think of at all is the Boker Direkt, a CLB design... and the Victorinox One Hand Trekker.
 
It messes the cutting line. You have the serrations, which are chisel ground, then the plain edge section, which is V ground. Trying to make one smooth slice with the whole blade is nearly impossible.
 
Joshua J. said:
It messes the cutting line. You have the serrations, which are chisel ground, then the plain edge section, which is V ground. Trying to make one smooth slice with the whole blade is nearly impossible.
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This is another one of those posts that keeps cropping up. I think you will find that the majority of responses will recommend PE but it seems like you've already decided you want a combo edge of some sort. IMO edge forward serrations not the best option for skinning - or any other detail work - but if that's the style you want then go for it.

My preferred option is to have a PE and carry a small pocket stone, diamond hone or steel. The only advantage I can see with a combo is that it still allows you to rasp your way thru when your knife's blunt. PITA to sharpen properly so it's likely to stay blunt once it gets there.
 
Hate em with a passion . A dedicated serrated is usefull , but better if attached to a multitool .

Chris
 
Dekz said:
The Boker Direkt is 3 and 5/8ths, but it's the only one i can think of off-hand that has this setup:
bok571.jpg
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This is a good knife to know about, but I fear that in this case, the cure is worse than the disease. Blade looks like a more useful configuration than the normal combo blade, but the rest is fugly and is not something I would ever carry.
 
knarfeng said:
This is a good knife to know about, but I fear that in this case, the cure is worse than the disease. Blade looks like a more useful configuration than the normal combo blade, but the rest is fugly and is not something I would ever carry.
Click to expand...

I like it and would buy one - it is just a bit too big for me - 3" is my limit.
 
My biggest problem with combo-edges is that the makers fail to properly sharpen usually the 1/2 or 1/3 portion of the edge closest to the hilt. They leave it jagged and rough, and looking like some kind of steak knife of something............
I don't like them leaving an edge unfinished like that....
((( :D )))
 
I like how CRK handled the issue in his Aviator, although he made more of a saw than a serrated blade. To me, even a few inches of serrated edge is better than nothing for the occasional saw job, and I wish more makers would adopt this approach. I wonder if "dagger" laws prevent makers from using the top of the blade like this?

knifeart_2027_105953203
 
Daggers are usually totally "sharp" on both sides. That's a sawback and you can't really use it to slice rope, etc like a real serrated.
One of the SOGs does have a serrated on one side, plain on the other, but thats a true dagger.

Also, anyone remember the NASA Emerson? It had a single serration by the tip to open plastic food bags
 
They are like Sporks....they arent good spoons and they arent good forks...they just get by.

I just cant get the image of a cheap steak knife out of my mind when I see serrated blades.
 
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