Does anyone really like 50/50 serrations?

Joined
Mar 7, 2000
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458
If so, tell me why and what you find the configuration useful for. If not, why not. Personally, I don't like em...I think its a waste of the most important part of the blade. I like the rear part of the blade to be plain and sharp for heavy leverage applications. I always thought serrations should be at the tip if they had to be anywhere. I mean to cut a rope, often you have to slip the knife in past the tip any way. Also,I never liked the idea of sawing back and forth in a 1.5" portion of the blade to cut rope etc...plus serrations mangle the ends of rope so badly.. No flames please, just trying to understand:
 
I use to love them, back in my younger years. Most, if not all, of my blade purchases were 50/50.

Now, I only like plain edges. I find that a 50/50 edge distracts one's eye from the overall appearance of a beautiful knife. For example, the MT LCC. Mine is partially serrated because that is the only model I could find when they first came out, so I settled for it. I find the plain variant to be much more attractive. You just don't notice the subtle curve the edge has with the serrations to bugger it up.

The only 50/50 knife that looks right to me, is the "old" AFCK. It just seems to work. Plus the serrations are of a "reversed" nature, so they don't snag.
 
I'm not really fond of 50/50 configurations. My knives are either fully serrated or plain. If I need serrations, I'll go for a fully serrated knife. If I need a plain edge, I'll go with a full plain edge. It's just that the serrations on 50/50 blades get in the way when I need to do intricate cutting. Don't get me wrong, I do like serrations and find a need for them. In fact, most of my fully serrated blades are from Spyderco as they are the best in cutting fibrous materials, but for the knives I just collect and don't plan on using, I usually buy a plain edge.
 
I used to buy 50-50 also, but now it is either plain edged for the collection or a fully serrated user.
 
I like 50/50 on the right knife. My BM 750 and 730 are 50/50, I like the look. I've got 2 other folders that are 50/50, only because that was the only option. The only full serrated is a Matriarch. I cut a good bit of rope at work, and I carry a plain edge med. voyager for that. I only miss the serrations if I neglect the edge. Only fixed with 50/50 is a Paraedge, closest to a fully serrated edge is the spine on my Hobbit Warrior.
 
I've never liked serrations and never will.Don't like the look of them and for me they just seem to get in the way, personally a sharp honed blade is the only way to go.
Mike:) :)
 
Used to, but then found that a courser grit when sharpening works just as well. [I work offshore oil field related and need to cut everything from rope/wire to cardboard/plastic/rubber]. Found that the best compromise though is a slight recurve with lots of belly and serrations on the top of the blade for the type of work I do. When I need to cut rope, it must be done extremely fast so as to prevent an immenent injury or worse, and for this purpose, serrated is best. For edc though, no serrations...for destructive wounds though, you can't beat serrated edges (gonna catch flak on this one :), the last cut with serrated required more stiches and took longer to heal than a comparable length cut with a straight edge (although a recurve with a twist(s) on the pull through is not pretty either, yeah, Im clumsy). Am still looking for a blade that has serrated edges at the front (and rear?) of a deep belly, would like to try that at work [recomendations for this type of blade?].
Rad148
 
Originally posted by rad148
Used to, but then found that a courser grit when sharpening works just as well. [I work offshore oil field related and need to cut everything from rope/wire to cardboard/plastic/rubber].

Me too! Same type work, same type sharpening.

When I need to cut rope, it must be done extremely fast so as to prevent an immenent injury or worse, and for this purpose, serrated is best.

Had to cut some rope very quickly on the back of a work boat. Fortunately, my Voyager still had the factory edge at the time (scaaary sharp), and it was small diameter rope.

Am still looking for a blade that has serrated edges at the front (and rear?) of a deep belly, would like to try that at work [recomendations for this type of blade?].
Rad148

Not to sound like I'm totally in love with CS, but a serrated Nogales clip (like Vaquero, Hombre, Lobo) sounds pretty close.
 
Tks Hardheart,
The El Hombre looks promising though have not worked with that type of serrations before. Guess I will have to pick one up and just try it out. A bit worried about AUS8 in salt water though, but then my BG42 and D2's have done well so far.
Chok Dee
Rad
Ps No hope for you, you are obviously totally enamered with CS:)
PPss Am now using a large Sebbie for back deck work, and a Dozier neck knife for the work boat though my Snody explorer is fast becoming a favourite amongst the crew.
 
A knife with serrations belongs in a kitchen drawer. Serrations ruin the lines of a blade. Putting a coarse edge on a knife enables it to cut just as well as a knife with serrations and much easier to sharpen.
Bob
 
I've always thought that the motto "give it 100% or don't bother coming out" was a good one to live by. Funny how it also applies to knife blades. I wouldn't trade my <b>fully</b> serrated Spydercos for anything, but 50/50 edges seem to represent the worst of both worlds. There are not really enough serrations to be truly useful for the jobs that I like serrations for, they ruin the lines of the knife, and make it a P.I.T.A. to use the plain edge portion of the blade for things like whittling, for example.

PM
 
I like the 50/50 configuration for an EDC knife, but I would take a plain edge on a heavy outdoor knife. As stated by Strider, serrations ruin the lines of certain knives. Every see a serrated Balisong:(.
 
Like most above, used to think I would but in day to day work, they didn't do it for me, now I only have a serrated blade on my Swiss Army Tool.

It was a good idea and took off like crazy but don't see it staying long.
G2
 
I had almost convinced myself that I didn't like 50/50 edges.(see what hanging around Bladeforums does to ya?)
But then I started using my knife everyday for alot of cutting of rope ,twine ,plastic strapping ,insulation,wallboard,etc.and I see how useful they are.When the rest of my knife is dull, the serrations still keep on cutting.I don't think the 50/50 config. is a trend that will end anytime soon.I do have alot of plain edge blades though,and I use them and like them alot.But- for an everyday working knife I will usually carry a 50/50.
troy
 
I have to go with troy here. I have my buck lightning, and even though I keep it sharp, I find that the serrations do help for that heavy cutting. And the n I can use the plain portion for my detail cutting.
 
Can't stand 50/50 for the same reasons as most. Not enough of either to be useful; worst of both worlds.

Ideal is when you have a knife with one serrated blade, and one with plain edge as in an SAK or some multitools.

Another thing I like in fixed blades is when they use a portion of the top for serrations (not sawteeth, real serrations). On a utility knife, putting serrations on the clip in a clip point do it for me. That leaves the back spine intact and friendly.
 
I carried Cold Steel small (they call them medium) Voyagers for a couple years as an EDC (until recently switching to a plain blade small Sebenza). I started with a fully serrated medium Voyager, then after a few months moved to a plain edge model (verymuch like a straight razor), and then finally a combo edge model. The combo edge knife is still my back up EDC if I have to travel (can't yet rationalize putting my Sebbie in my check luggage and letting the airlines lose it!). I should note that these knives were all Tanto blades and all the same size and model from Cold Steel.

I personally think that in the size and form factor of a Med. CS Voyager the combo Tanto blade works well for a variety of uses. If I worked in a position which required the best of both worlds, I'd probably carry a good straight edge and a good serrated edge, but I don't so a mostly unobtrusive combo blade which can do a lot of things works pretty well for me.

Considering all I've said above, one of the main reasons for moving away from the combo blade as an EDC is maintainance. All knives need sharpening and I can do a better job more eficiently on a plain edge than with a combo or fully serrated edge. I don't always use my knife hard, but I do use it often, so sharpening is a regular part of life.

jmx
 
Yes, I like 50/50 blades as most of my knives have them except my fixed-blade hunters. I often use the "peaks" for some delicate work e.g. cuticles or pricise, small, pulling cuts. It also increases the surface area of the blade and I can reserve certain sections that will stay sharp long after the rest of the blade dulls. Actually, I just like the option of having both and never gave it that much thought.
I also heard that they leave nasty flesh wounds.
:D
FM.
 
I have no use at all for serrations on a blade and find them to be a type of "knife abuse", why I can't even count the number of times I've seen a really nice blade ruined with serrations. So unless I hear tales of 8 foot tall sourdough french breads attacking people no serrated blades for me...... Not a rant by the way.

...oh yeah! my contempt for serrated knives is why I have a Reeve Project I without serrations, and it looks way cool to boot...... Now this is a rant!
 
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