How do I choose an edge style?

Tolly

Tolly

Joined
Jan 1, 2006
Messages
555
Howdy guys. I'm new to the forums and I have a question. I will be purchasing a locking folder very soon for EDC and I am leaning towards the Spyderco line of knives. The question I have is what is the best way to determine what style of blade to get, i.e. spyderedge, plain, combo etc.. This knife will be a do it all sort of knife where it will cut everything from heavy tape to 3/4" rope and all kinds of stuff in between. Any help would be appreciated.
 
Welcome to the forums!

Your question is a very good one. Realistically, you should plan long term to get a full serrated and a plain edged knife to find out the benefits for yourself.

My first good quality folder was a Benchmade AFCK (similar to the Military from Spyderco) and I got a combo edge. At first I liked it, but soon after I hated it. I found that the serrations I didn't use all that much, and since the serrations were there I had a limited plain edge length to use. I have since ground off the serrations :)

That is my take on combo edges, but others really like them. I'd suggest starting out with a plain edged knife from Spyderco (I think Spyderco offers some of the best bang for the dollar in the business, and some of the best bang period!) Get a fully serrated Delica or Endura from SPyderco later on to see what you think of serrated knives.

Oh, and do get the Spyderco Sharpmaker to keep your new knife (knives) in tip top shape.
 
In my experience also, I have found that I much prefer a plain edge knife. But, like Crayola, I think you should get your self a plain edge and a serrated, so you can discover for yourself, what YOU like.
 
I really like combo edges. I tend to need to cut cord and twine and zip ties a lot and the serrated edge does those jobs with such ease. I just have to make contact with the serrations and it cuts very easily.
 
I don't like combo edges or serrations very much, so I would probably pick a plain edge. I find combo edges just don't do much for me, and I can't sharpen serrations worth a crap, so I prefer plain.

I will say, however, that for plastics or boxes I do use the fully serrated sheepsfoot blade on my Leatherman Wave quite often, works pretty well. Hopefully I'll never get the darn thing dull... :eek: I've heard that the Spyderco's serrated edges cut and hold an edge really well!

Spyderco makes some great knives!
 
Combo edges on anything shorter than 3.5" just don't give you much of either to work with. Another option is to go plain edge and leave the back half of the edge "toothy" to simulate a combo edge, it won't hinder its performance as much as true serrations.

Welcome to the sickness :thumbup: :)
 
Thanks guys. I am new to the knife collecting thing. I have owned lots of knives in my life and all of them are well used as I have been a hunter and outdoorsman all of my life. I have just recently kind of started thinking about collecting a few and actually considering one for back up self defense. I am almost never without one of my conceal carry 1911's but sometimes you just can't carry and it would be nice to have something besides an old Old-Timer dual blade folder. I bought a Spyderco Native today for EDC but I want to find something a little bigger maybe and better suited for defense if needed.
 
The ONLY time I was glad to have serrations on a knife blade was when I was stranded on the side of the road and had to cut through a battery cable on my car. I would have done it with the plain edge but the serrations made it easier. It tore the crud out of the serrations on that Kershaw Leek but it got me back on the road pretty quickly. That being said I and 99.9999% all for plain edge over serration beit partion or full serrations. Although it made life easier on that day and therefore there is some merrit to serrations, I don't currently own anything other than totally plain edge knife and I doubt I ever will again in the future.
 
Funny, because for ages I had only straight edge blades. However, once I tried a comboedge, it came in so damn useful and I knew I could never again live without it. Go comboedge, and you'll be prepared for everything.
 
I'm a plain edge man! I don't like combo edges at all, since you usually don't get enough serrations or plain edge to make it worth it. Fully serrated blades are good for some chores but are a lot more limited than plain edges.

Having a serrated blade for back up is a good idea, though. Many multitools include a serrated edge and are great in combination with an EDC knife.

BTW, Spyderco is an excellent choice.
 
All of my knives are plain edge with the exception of the Spyderco Rescue that I keep in the car.
 
I'll just echo what some others have already said. Spyderco is an outstanding company and offers really great bang-for-buck. Good choice with the Native. I'm not sure how much money you're looking to spend, but an unbeatable combo would a plain-edge knife, a fully serrated knife, and a Spyderco Sharpmaker to maintain it all. I prefer my main blade to be plain-edged and usually carry a smaller more compact fully serrated secondary blade (currently a Dodo or Salt I). I personally don't need to use the fully serrated blades that often, but when the need does arise they are much better for the job than a combo- or plain-edge.

Welcome to Blade Forums!
 
combo edges are the work of the devil. go with a PE for your first knife - it has can be used for 95 percent of your tasks, while a serrated edge is very limited (although efficient) to what it can be used for. go with plain edge and then learn to sharpen and you'll be all set. spydercos are great. benchmades w/ axis lock are also very sweet. welcome to the knife disease. you might as well just buy a sebenza now:eek:
 
I agree with several of the people here in saying that you've got to try each. Don't limit yourself because what might work for someone else might not work for you. And besides it gives you a reason to get more knives. :D
 
I tend to steer clear of combo edges. They don't give you the best of both worlds, but on the contrary -- the different edge types tend to get in each other's way.

Go full-edge, either way -- plain edge, or fully serrated.

Peace.
 
Be aware that not all combo edges are equal. I've always been a big fan of PE blades, having used combo edges with very aggressive teeth for cutting kernmantle rope and hating them bacause they snag core fibers and pull them out, creating a real mess. I recently bought a Swisstool RS, which has a seatbelt cutter - a hawkbill shaped blade that has gentle serrations along it's full length. That is my favorite blade for cutting rope, poly pipe, carpet, you name it. I advise that you steer away from anything with a serration that looks like a saw tooth unless you plan to saw hard material. I'd also suggest going with a fully serrated blade if you want serrations to give yourself enough cutting length to be useful.

Gordon
 
I'm a PE fan for the most part. I do have a couple of combo edges and have not been that fussy about them, though, in saying that, they have come in handy the odd time. Recently, I thought I would try a full SE blade and picked up a Spyderco Rescue 93mm and found out what the Spydie Edge talk is about:eek: This thing really cuts and it cuts surprisingly clean which is what this edge is all about. Would I use one on a regular basis? For the things that I do, no. I find that a PE serves me well probably 95% of the time if not more. I do agree with others that unless the blade is longer than 3 in., a combo edge may be more of a hindrance than a help based on my experiences. A full SE in a 3 inch blade, especially a Spydie, though, could be worth considering. Personal preference, I guess as to which is handier:) After playing with my Rescue, I'm pretty tempted to try an SE/FRN Delica, though:) I work in IT/office environment, so anything over 3 inches does get the odd "look".

- gord
 
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