Is my LGS full of it?

I suspect PE sells in far better numbers than do ones in Combo. It really does boil down to personal preference.
 
I agree with some of you about sharpening combo edge takes more effort. I can also see why people likes combo blade. If the user is not too comfortable or fond of sharpening, having serration would help to cut wet rope or something equally difficult to cut.

My preference of PE is ease of sharpening. I have few blade with combo edge, perhaps as a habit from owning 'pyderco Police model early on.

MFL
 
Most of the "non knife enthusiasts" I know that buy combo edge blades do so for one of two reasons. Either they think the combo edge is more useful for a wider variety of cutting needs (most decide that they infrequently need the serrations and would prefer having a full plain edge) or they think it's more aggressive looking/tacticool and they really don't use their knife much anyway.

I think there's something to the combo edge if it's a big blade so you get enough of both, at least 3.5"+. To me I'd have to be cutting a lot of rope to make it worth while, and in that case I'd probably carry a fully serrated blade strictly for that use. If I just wanted to cut rope now and then I'd probably just tailor my sharpening to a more toothy edge which I do anyway for general use I find it works best for what I cut, but many knife owners are not knife sharpeners. I also find it interesting that BM will not sharpen combo edge blades for customers.

If I was cutting more rope, I'd prefer the opposite of what most combo edge knives are. I'd much rather have most of the blade serrated to maximize rope cutting, with really just the curved tip plain for delicate cutting. So on a 4" blade maybe the first 1.25-1.5" plain and the rest serrated. Most go the other way, to me 1" of serrations at the handle is just not that useful for most rope cutting unless it's very small diameter.

It would be interesting to know what BM's sales are only looking at those models they produce in both combo and plain edge versions in. Most of the stores I see primarily carry the combo edge versions.

I've always loved the idea of someone doing a real high quality twin blade, one plain one serrated that had good ergonomics and lockup, spyderco tried with the Dyad but the ergonomics are pretty poor, and buck tried with the crosslock and well those were just poorly made.
 
A "copy and paste" of the statement from Benchmade that I referenced to in Post #7 is below. It was posted as a response on Benchmade's own forum by Ryan McGinnis. Note how many are Plain Edge. ;)

Posted July 17, 2012);

"I checked with our Customer Service Manager and here are the top selling SKU's by unit so far this year".

1.) 556 Mini-Griptilian (Plain Edge)
2.) 585 Mini-Barrage (Plain Edge)
3.) 551 Griptilian (Plain Edge)
4.) 8 BLKW 8 Safety Cutter
5.) 470 Emissary (Plain Edge)
6.) 3300BK Infidel (Dual Plain Edge / BK1 out-the-front auto)
7.) 556S Mini-Griptilian (Serrated Edge)
8.) 551S Griptilian (Serrated Edge)
9.) 556SBKOD Mini-Griptilian (Combo Edge, BK1 & Olive Drab Color Handle)
10.) 940 Osborne Design (Plain Edge and Green Anodized Aluminum Handles)

Ryan McGinnis
Product Services Lead
Benchmade Knife Company
.
 
harris2 said:
A "copy and paste" of the statement from Benchmade that I referenced to in Post #7 is below. It was posted as a response on Benchmade's own forum by Ryan McGinnis. Note how many are Plain Edge. ;)

Posted July 17, 2012);

"I checked with our Customer Service Manager and here are the top selling SKU's by unit so far this year".

1.) 556 Mini-Griptilian (Plain Edge)
2.) 585 Mini-Barrage (Plain Edge)
3.) 551 Griptilian (Plain Edge)
4.) 8 BLKW 8 Safety Cutter
5.) 470 Emissary (Plain Edge)
6.) 3300BK Infidel (Dual Plain Edge / BK1 out-the-front auto)
7.) 556S Mini-Griptilian (Serrated Edge)
8.) 551S Griptilian (Serrated Edge)
9.) 556SBKOD Mini-Griptilian (Combo Edge, BK1 & Olive Drab Color Handle)
10.) 940 Osborne Design (Plain Edge and Green Anodized Aluminum Handles)

Ryan McGinnis
Product Services Lead
Benchmade Knife Company
.
Click to expand...

Not to take this thread off topic but wow! I would have never guessed that the Infidel would be in their top 10. Everything else makes total sense but that is the one shocker.
 
Serrations aren't hard to sharpen. A diamond rat tail file for the scallops and a light pass on the opposing side to knock down the resulting burr is all it takes (with practice.) I did a check this evening and the only combo edged knife I own is a rare 910SCG (Stryker Chisel Ground) but in fairness it didn't come in PE.
 
crystalEyes said:
True they are a pain to sharpen. I use a vice and chainsaw files myself. But when you get those teeth sharp it's a thing of beauty.
Click to expand...

Agreed, good Sir. I love partial serrations on those freakin clamshell kids' toys (the boy's action figures, etc.) that can cut you to the bone trying to open. Sometimes your plain edge will be a bit dull and it hits those teeth... Game over for clamshell.

Partial serrations have a firm place in this world, and in my heart.
 
The best tool for opening those loathsome plastic "clamshells" is sheet metal shears. Much safer than using a serrated or non-serrated knife.

EDIT/ADDENDUM: Just to be clear, I'll add a better discription; AVIATION TIN SNIPS ... not a bench mounted, lever activated sheet metal shear. :)
 
Last edited:
harris2 said:
The best tool for opening those loathsome plastic "clamshells" is sheet metal shears. Much safer than using a serrated or non-serrated knife.
Click to expand...

Yeah but whos carrying those around in their pocket. Only time I carry tools like that is if I'm going to weld a woodstove together or invade poland.

I personally love the serrations for trimming my fingernails. Also not the safest tool for the job.
 
RevDevil said:
The vast majority of gun shops that carry Benchmade or any other manufacturer that I have been to, I quickly see that they they usually have very limited knowledge of knives in general. I've heard that too (combo edges are far more popular and sell so much better) than plain edges, no reasons are given. Just because I guess.
Click to expand...

ToddM said:
Most of the "non knife enthusiasts" I know that buy combo edge blades do so for one of two reasons. Either they think the combo edge is more useful for a wider variety of cutting needs (most decide that they infrequently need the serrations and would prefer having a full plain edge) or they think it's more aggressive looking/tacticool and they really don't use their knife much anyway.

I think there's something to the combo edge if it's a big blade so you get enough of both, at least 3.5"+. To me I'd have to be cutting a lot of rope to make it worth while, and in that case I'd probably carry a fully serrated blade strictly for that use. If I just wanted to cut rope now and then I'd probably just tailor my sharpening to a more toothy edge which I do anyway for general use I find it works best for what I cut, but many knife owners are not knife sharpeners. I also find it interesting that BM will not sharpen combo edge blades for customers.

If I was cutting more rope, I'd prefer the opposite of what most combo edge knives are. I'd much rather have most of the blade serrated to maximize rope cutting, with really just the curved tip plain for delicate cutting. So on a 4" blade maybe the first 1.25-1.5" plain and the rest serrated. Most go the other way, to me 1" of serrations at the handle is just not that useful for most rope cutting unless it's very small diameter.

It would be interesting to know what BM's sales are only looking at those models they produce in both combo and plain edge versions in. Most of the stores I see primarily carry the combo edge versions.

I've always loved the idea of someone doing a real high quality twin blade, one plain one serrated that had good ergonomics and lockup, spyderco tried with the Dyad but the ergonomics are pretty poor, and buck tried with the crosslock and well those were just poorly made.
Click to expand...
I agree, all REI sells is satin combo edge for barrages and 530's, the only sell the emisary in strait satin obviously and they have some strait and coated grips but only on certain colors.

I know when I got into knifes I liked the combo and Ti coated because 1. Tacticool 2. It was different and like dangerous looking compared to every other pocket, fillet, kitchen, swiss army, what have you knife I ever saw. Also the reason I got a black/combo (only way it comes) Gerber pridigy, it looks bad ass like a knife from a movie or video game, think modern soldier pulling out a knife and thats what it looks like. I think the Mini barrage looks best in black/combo but the large barrage doesn't, strait edge looks better.

I actually use the combo on my barrage a lot, there's just some stuff like zip-ties and plastic ties and rope that require sawing with a find edge but only 1 pull on the serrations, and I got my 530 in combo because I got it from REI and it has a lot of strait cutting edge but I a lot just got a emissary and I would of chosen strait even if it came in combo and I will be getting a CRKT Heiho in fine edge even tho there is a cool veff serration model. Smaller knifes I like fine edge, other wise there isn't enough cutting edge but on larger knifes it can go either way.

I'm wondering why there are so many "knife guys" that have a hatred for combo edges? Is it just cuz there hard to sharpen? (those saying its easy, even benchmades life sharp doesn't cover them....) or do you guys do a lot of wood wittleing or something?

Last you guys are talking about a gun shop and not a knife shop a good chunk of sales is probably gun people wanting a good knife which is why they sell a lot of grips and cheap stuff vs there more expensive knifes, all though they are all over priced now...
 
ScaryFatKidGT said:
I'm wondering why there are so many "knife guys" that have a hatred for combo edges?
Click to expand...


I keep my knives reasonably sharp so the serrations have no advantage for me. I prefer to have more of the plain cutting edge. I also don't like the looks of serrations. And I do have the proper equipment to sharpen them.
 
In reference to the local gun store I initially asked about, I think ScaryFatKidGT hit the nail on the head when he pointed out that the combo edges are "tacticool". The more I think about the focus of this store the more that makes sense. It is basically a high-end tacticool gun store (not that there's anything wrong with that).
 
I think the reason so many retailers and ebay seem to always be selling and have the combo edges in stock is because alot of people are biased towards combo edges or total serrated edges and therefore people don't buy them and always have them in stock or on sale. Got my BM Adamas combo edge for $125 shipped instead of $160 for the plain edge.I'm pretty sure the reason is because people just don't buy them as much and that means their sometimes cheaper in price cause their not as much in demand as plain edge knives. I for one like the serrations on my Adamas.They come in handy alot and the fact that I saved $35 is even more of a plus.
 
Cant abide combo edges myself.... to my eyes it looks like someone has taken a large bite out of the edge!
 
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