Mini-Griptilian Combo or Plain Edge?

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Apr 3, 2010
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Ok tough choice. I am considering a combo edge Mini-Grip for my EDC use involves Opening Boxes and sometimes (Somewhat rare) cutting strapping, zip ties, and such. I typically had serrations but some have swear by them. I have a Barrage that is a combo edge that I use to carry and they never seemed to get in the way but I also never really used them much. I do see an advantage at time to serration when you run into something like plastic that a plain edge just cant get thru very easily...then a little sawing action and the serration hammer right throw. I think serration (Partial that is) are very usage or purpose driven. Your thoughts Gentlemen. (Probably will get one just to have one). Thanks
 
IMO i keep it plain edge with the knives i buy. I dont find serrations useful at all, and find they get in the way when trying to resharpen the plain edge part.

One thing you could do, get a SE dragonfly or delica to carry too and you will have a nice run of serrations on you, while still having your main blade plain edge.
 
I personally don't care for serrations at all. My multi tool has a serrated blade that never gets used. I keep my edges very sharp and touch them up whenever they start to drag. If you sharpened your blade on 600 grit stone or sandpaper that would be like having thousands of micro serrations. This is the type edge I keep on my hard work blades, and use a more polished edge for finer tasks. This is just my opinion, some guys will tell you there is nothing better or more useful than serrations. Good luck .
 
It's up to what you mostly use your knife for. Sounds like your chores require that a combo edge / serration blade is more ideal. Good luck.
 
I have both the PE mini grip and a CE mini grip. For a blade that size, I vastly prefer the PE. YMMV.
 
I have read a ton of Combo Edge vs Plain posts and it does seem to be based on your intended use. I do see and respect the argument about how short the blade is to actually be usable with a combo but I does seem like my use might lean a little towards a combo. For example, I was cutting some plastic straps and noticed how much easier it was with the combo...even a shorter one. Once even one tooth of the serration digs in the strap is cut without much pressure. With the plain edge you gotta pull on it pretty good..even a very sharp blade. For Work I might actually think a combo is better and for everything else a plain edge is better. I think the versatility is there are the trade off of some other full plain edge task. So my early conclusion is a combo edge can do everything, just not everything well, where as a plain cant quite does as much as the combo but what it does it does better.
 
For something like the standard Grip, an EDC to be used and maybe a bit abused everyday--not a collector--I'd prefer the CE.

Normally I like PE for just about anything else, but for something like that, the serrations would come in handy for a lot of tasks.

Best,

Heekma
 
Hi- soapboxpreacher -

I would vote plain - I dislike serrations and you have not mentioned anything that I could not (or have not cut) with my plain-edge mini-grip.

Plus, serrations are difficult to sharpen (for me anyway).

best regards -

mqqn
 
I'm voting for a combo edge on the mini grip. Almost all my knives are PE, but I HAD a mini-grip that was CE and I loved it. I gave it away to a good friend of mine and miss it.
 
I own both a plain and a combo version of the 556. For the size of the blade, I would stick with plain edge. I am actually not against combo-edges, but if I feel I need one, IMO they work better with a longer blade.
Jim
 
I hate the combo edge and serrations in general.

The one and only exception to that is a Spyderco Atlantic SALT that only sees duty as a cutter of rope. Other than that, to me.... serrations are for the birds. :)

And if you get right down to it, a plain edge; sharpened correctly: will cut rope just as well as serrations. ;)
 
I almost always go plain edge -- if you keep it sharp, it'll cut just as well as any serrated edge.
 
Benchmade's serrations are horrible. They have a huge dip into the serrations between the plain edge and serrations. Stick with the plain edge. If your knife is sharp enough, it'll cut without the need of serrations. Just keep your knife sharp :)
 
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