Need advice on edge type

T

Talos

Joined
Aug 1, 2004
Messages
137
I'm been looking for a new knife to carry for hiking, a good sized folder to supplement my fixed blade. I have finally narrowed it down to a Spyderco Endura after looking, it seems, at every folder in existence. Tiring but fun. Anyway after all this time getting it narrowed down to one knife I now have a choice of:
1. straight edge
2. serrated
3. combo edge
4. going nuts deciding which!
I initially gravitated to the serrated because, well, it looks tough. Lousy way to choose a blade type, I know. So I'm going back and forth between the pros and cons of serrated vs plain and thought maybe the combo edge would be the best way to go. Or is it? Is a combo edge the best of both worlds or a bad compromise? I am stalemated right now and would really appreciate any and all advice, suggestions and thoughts.
Thanks, and I apologize if this is one of those questions that get asked every couple of days.
 
Go for the plain edge. It makes cleaner cuts and is easier to maintain. Combo edge is more like the worst of both worlds, not enough plain edge and not enough combo edge to provide a significant cutting advantage.
 
I'd go for a plain edge, but pick up a Sharpmaker and learn how to maintain the edge and keep it sharp.
 
There is not really a wrong choice as all edge configuration have their place.
For general utility plain edge is probably better and easier to maintain.
 
You could get a plain endura, and then a serrated delica too, so you have a fully serrated blade if you need it.
 
I don't own one serrated edge knife at all.


Other then the bread knife in the kitchen.
:D
WR
 
This is one of the most frequent questions asked, however there is little agreement on the answer. If I had a decent sized fixed blade which had significant power on the swing for dynamic cutting I would prefer a small and plain edged folder for outdoors as I would be doing mainly precision cutting with it. I would take a Delica over an Endura because again the larger fixed blade does any of the heavier work anyway. I like an Endura PE if I didn't have a fixed blade and a Delica SE if it was single carry. You might want to go into the passaround forums, there are usually serrated edge knives going around so you can try one out and see what works for you.

-Cliff
 
Cliff,
Thanks, that makes sense what you say about going with the Delica as I already have a big fixed blade. I think I'm leaning toward plain edge now though, as it has been pointed out it will be easier to sharpen.
I may still get the Endura as well for the times I'm out on walks where I won't be carrying the fixed blade, which is cool because I have an excuse now to buy two Spyderco's. Actually three because I want a knife for edc that takes up little room in my pocket so the Dragonfly is on the list, too.
Funny. Not to long ago I couldn't stand the looks of Spyderco knives and I sure as heck would not have considered buying one. They grow on you, don't they?
I appreciate the advice from everyone.
 
Serrations do take some special equipment to sharpen which is usually one of the drawbacks argued for working outdoors because you can sharpen a plain edge knife on a rock, but the serrations require more imagination/effort. They do however put an awful lot of cutting power in a short blade which is why I have a Delica SE or similar on me at all times.

You need at least one more Spyderco by the way, one of the more funky looking ones that just looks really cool and serves as a dicussion piece to negate some of the weapon printing that carrying knives tend to imbue. I like the Poliwog, it appeals to the tech in a lot of people, even those not into knives.

-Cliff
 
I would go with a plain edge. Easier to mantain, better for detailed work and more versatile (IMHO).

Como edges are the worst of both worlds, since you don't get enough of either. The only serrated blade I use often is the one on my SwissTool Spirit, serrations are nice for zip ties since they "bite" into the plastic.
 
Cliff Stamp said:
You need at least one more Spyderco by the way, one of the more funky looking ones that just looks really cool and serves as a dicussion piece to negate some of the weapon printing that carrying knives tend to imbue. I like the Poliwog, it appeals to the tech in a lot of people, even those not into knives.

-Cliff
Click to expand...
lol- thanks Cliff but I will have to draw the line at three! That is a cute knife, though. Maybe I can get it for my wife.
I'm going to go ahead, since I am going to buy three Spydies and get one with serrations, maybe the Dragonfly. I won't be carrying that one out in the field so won't have to worry about sharpening it anywhere else but here at home. I also enjoy knife sharpening and learning to do serrations should be kinda enjoyable.
 
You need at least one more Spyderco by the way, one of the more funky looking ones that just looks really cool and serves as a dicussion piece to negate some of the weapon printing that carrying knives tend to imbue. I like the Poliwog, it appeals to the tech in a lot of people, even those not into knives.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if this was serious or not, but you can go the other way as well. Carry a Spyderco Civilian, so when people are freaked out about the Delica, show them how irrational their fear is by pointing out that the Civilian is much more of a real concern.

But the Poliwog? That humpbacked thing that folds into a triangle (:confused:), with a ball for a lock that looks like it's about to come off any second (:confused:) , and a name that makes your skin crawl and check all over your body for any blood sucking, disease spreading hitch-hikers (:confused:)?
 
kel_aa said:
Carry a Spyderco Civilian, so when people are freaked out about the Delica, show them how irrational their fear is by pointing out that the Civilian is much more of a real concern.
Click to expand...

Yeah that's why it is nice to have something like this :

battlef.JPG


Plus you can never tell when you are going to need to repell a viking attack.

The Poliwog is kind of interesting to introduce people to because it really doesn't look like a knife when folded, the ball lock is very unusal, and the semi-skeletonized designs really stands out. It also seems at first glance to not really be a cutting tool but a gadget, but actually has a functional grip and an efficient cutting edge and when you give it to non-knife people to cut something they are usually extremely impressed.

The really striking handle colors on some of the other blades also really put people at ease as well, must be that maniacs only use black blades.The Dodo usually gets a nice initial reaction due to the grip color, until it is opened anyway as that general blade pattern seems really aggressive to some. Most also really get a kick out of the "Earth" label on the knives.

-Cliff
 
In terms of friendly knives, I imagine the yellow Salt knives must be pretty high up on the list. The variously coloured handled Spydercos FRN's come to mind. And you can carry a whole collection of Mini-Grips. Just as what their favorite colour is and pull out that one. They'll be more distracted by the colour attribute than mindful of the knife part. Yes, I see the Dodo is a little wicked looking too.

But you gotta draw the line somewhere, Cliff. Guy spends millions of dollars to hang "fabric gates" in a park and "donate" it to the city, you can call that art. A person living in a dog house, you can call that art. But if the person starts rubbing feces all over his body, then you gotta say it's a sanitation concern.
 
kel_aa said:
But the Poliwog? That humpbacked thing that folds into a triangle (:confused:), with a ball for a lock that looks like it's about to come off any second (:confused:) , and a name that makes your skin crawl and check all over your body for any blood sucking, disease spreading hitch-hikers (:confused:)?
Click to expand...
Hey, we're talking about the Spyderco Polywog, not the Spyderco Leech!
 
Hmmm, that's pretty bizzare. I just looked it up and a polliwog is a tadpole. Doesn't look like the Spyderco design. I thought it was more like a roly poly like bug. That's what the folded appearance makes me think of: a rolled up roly poly.
 
Well, whatever the heck it looks like it's too cute for my tastes. Now that Viking thing that Cliff has a picture of is more like it! I would love to see the reaction if I were to carry that on my next hike. (Especially from my wife).
 
kel_aa said:
In terms of friendly knives, I imagine the yellow Salt knives must be pretty high up on the list.
Click to expand...

The serrations tend to dominate any other aspects though and really print badly to some people, who oddly enough have no problem with serrated knives in the kitchen. The Salts are also fairly large for most people as they are being compared mentally to a small SAK or similar. Possibly the best introduction would be the FireByrd or Harp Tool because then you can lead people into "they also make nice knives". The kitchen knives work well for this because most people realize that it is ok to have them.

But if the person starts rubbing feces all over his body, then you gotta say it's a sanitation concern.
Click to expand...

Not something I would personally pay to watch, but G. G. Allin had his fans.

-Cliff
 
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