New guy... just bought two Benchmades w/CE blades... did I screw up?

ZDHart

ZDHart

Joined
Feb 16, 2010
Messages
471
First off... this is my first visit here and this sure looks to be an AMAZING forum! I'm excited to be here.

Yesterday my wife an I decided we each wanted a nice carry knife for general use and would buy them as Valentine's presents to each other. I bought a Benchmade Barrage 580SBK with a black combination blade and my wife got a Benchmade Osborne 943, also with a black finish combination blade. I tried to steer her toward a less costly knife, but once she held and pocketed that 943, nothing else even came close for her. She deserves a good knife anyway.

Yes, this was something of an impulsive purchase as I initially intended to spend a lot less money for knives, but we each really liked these knives.

Now tonight, I just discovered this wonderful forum and come to see the widespread distaste here for combination blades. I understand that personal taste can have a lot to do with that, but I have to wonder if my wife and I made a mistake buying these knives with combination blades. We reasoned that if we needed to cut rope, plastic, fabrics, that the serrated sections would be useful and that for miscellaneous use/box cutting and potential defense use, the CE blades would probably do the job well. We're not carvers and not likely to give these knives any degree of heavy use. And certainly cheaper knives would probably have served our needs just as well. But the Benchmades felt like a really good quality choice.

I've had a CRKT Carson M-16 as a daily use knife for several years... it has a (dare I mention it??? ducking down...) tanto combination blade and has served my simple needs fine. Obviously, I don't know a lot about knives.

Did we screw up by buying CE blades? Should we see if we can return these Benchmades for plain edge blade versions or keep and enjoy them?

Your experienced guidance will be much appreciated. Thank you.
 
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If you're gonna cut rope, plastics, and some fabrics, a combo edge is fine. A plain edge could gut all of those things as well, but 'may' take more effort. The plain edge may also get duller faster with repeated cuttings on stuff you listed. Personally, I think combo edges are great, especially the Spyder edges.
 
I wouldn't scoff at either of those blades. They look just dandy with or without the serrations and junk.
 
Many people speak out against combo edges. Many people like them -- or the manufacturers wouldn't sell so many. Enjoy them, you picked up 2 good knives.

When you make a straight cut through something, there isn't much difference between plain and serrated. If you cut at an angle, serrations can bind, or they can help sever fibers. You've been using a combo edge successfully, so you know it works for you.

One of our guys said that a fun thing to do with a serrated blade was to spread peanut butter with it.
Welcome to Bladeforums! :)
 
I prefer combo edges myself. As long as the blade has a decent amount of plain edge. There are times when you need a serrated edge and times when you need a plain edge you will come to see. Having a combo blade solves this delima! Keep what you bought! Trust me, you'll be glad you did!,,,VWB.
 
We nit-pick and opinionate, speak loudly about what's best...but 'best' is always subjective, and really all that matters is how much you like the blade in your pocket. Some people prefer a $1000 custom with double recurve and a spoiler; some prefer a $20 swiss army knife. I have a BM 940, 950, and 707 and I carry and use them as much as any others in my collection. They are awesome blades and can provide a lifetime of daily pleasure. Is CE best? Its like asking if you want sprinkles on your haagendazs. It sounds like you guys both like sprinkles, so go enjoy them! And welcome to the forums, just stay away from the Exchange if you want to keep your wallet and sanity intact. :):thumbup::thumbup:
 
I prefer a combo edge as I utilize it at work a lot. When I need to cut through a lot of rope quickly it is the perfect tool. As a matter of fact my leatherman serrated blade sees all of my field work and my plain blade is saved for preparing lunch. :) I have some knives with plain edge only but those are not my work knives and are probably not going to see any heavy cutting.
 
I think "screw up" is to strong a term, many people dislike them, others do. I carried a Spyderco with a combo edge for several years and didn't really have any problems with it. When I wanted to whittle something I just used something else. :) The last several knives I've bought have all been plain edge and don't really see a need for a CE, but I wouldn't say you 'screwed up' buying one.

Don't sweat it, enjoy your new knives - may they be the first of many more!
 
I'd say ignore our opinions on CE blades until you become proficient enough at sharpening and knife using to develop your own opinions. Most arguments against serrations are from people who excel at sharpening (and do it a lot). I have a CE blade and it doesn't bother me most of the time.

Partially serrated blades do tend to sell worse than their plain counterparts on the collector market.
 
I prefer a CE for a general use pocket knife, as the serrations really do a wonderful job on plastic ties and the like. For delicate uses (detail work) or a collectible knife I prefer a plain blade. Also, if the knife will be used so heavily that it will require frequent sharpening I prefer a plain blade.
 
You definitely didn't screw up. As a matter of fact I think you did very good. You bought exactly what you wanted. In many cases Plain Edge (PE), SE and CE are just personal preferences. There are pros and cons in any choices. I prefer PE, but combo edge can be very useful. As a matter of fact, I think that position of US military is that CE is a better for a soldier to have. Just consider this.. I had to install front bra on a car for my sister. Part of this stupid installation involved cutting a piece of the plastic bumper. I tried my preferred plain edge. It didn't work, was way to difficult to cut. I had to get my mulitool with serrated blade to do the job. If I had a CE, I could've done it with my EDC knife. Having this experience, would I switch to CE? Nah... I just like PE. For my uses PE gives me more.

The community downside to CE is that even though they are in some cases more expensive than PE from manufacturer, they usually go for less than PE on secondary market, because more people prefer plain edge.

That being said, if you hold on to your blade, enjoy it and learn how to sharpen serrated portion when it gets dull, then you are definitely a winner.
 
Thank you all for the reassurance. I know my wife's BM Osborne 943 will see very little actual use, but I know she truly loves that knife and is thrilled to carry it. So no worries about having to sharpen it much. As for my BM Barrage 580, it will see a little more use than her's, but I also know that in relatively short time I will have far more knives to choose from for EDC or heavy use than just the 580 and the Carson M-16. ;)

ZippoThisKnifeThat said:
Now that you are on this forum you will find your self owning a Plain edge AND Combo Edge AND many more knives.... ;]
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After spending just one evening on this amazing forum, I know now that you are so very right in that prediction, my friend.

As "DHart", I've spent years on the 1911Forum, HighRoad, GlockTalk, S&WForum, CandlepowerForums and others. If my experience in those hobbies (guns and flashlights) is any indicator, there is no doubt that with your help, there will be a great many wonderful knives in my future!

Thanks again... it's wonderful to be a part of this fantastic place. I look forward to mixing it up with you folks for some time to come. (Now to get my "blade" terms and acronyms figured out!)

ZDHart (aka DHart on all the other forums I mentioned.)

Don
 
A common saying in many gadgetry-accumulating hobbies: The best knife is whichever one you have in your pocket.

Don't fret over the general opinion of combo edges. The important thing is that the blade appeals to you and cuts like you want it to. Even if you end up disliking combo edges for whatever reason, either of those knives is still leaps and bounds better than your average pocket knife. If you do take a liking to serrations, I highly suggest you to give Spyderco a try. They make the best teeth in the business and make Benchmade serrations look like a butter knife. I think most people, even the serration haters, will agree with me on that. Oops, there goes your wallet :foot::D:thumbup:

Welcome aboard.
 
jeffa said:
I prefer a combo edge as I utilize it at work a lot. When I need to cut through a lot of rope quickly it is the perfect tool. As a matter of fact my leatherman serrated blade sees all of my field work and my plain blade is saved for preparing lunch. :) I have some knives with plain edge only but those are not my work knives and are probably not going to see any heavy cutting.
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Well I'm just the opposite - use the PE on my LM for most tasks - rarely use the serrated - except when slicing tomatoes for lunch ;)

Not a fan of serrations, but like many that prefer PE I do like to keep my knives sharp and find serrations can be a real PITA to maintain properly. Many others prefer a CE because it allows them to keep cutting/sawing even after the edge has dulled.

ZDHart - Don't sweat about the knives you bought, they will stand you in good stead for many years, as will your M16 - that much maligned Carson designed CRKT was rated one of the "Top 5 tactical folders of all time" in Knives Illustrated Aug 2008. Whether others agree or disagree with the judges, you've got nothing to apologise for

Enjoy your knives and hope you contine to do so for many years to come
 
^^Finally someone who doesn't bash CRKT and the M-16. I've EDC'd that same knife in tanto combo edge for 3 yrs and it still holds up. And yes I own BMs, Spydies, and Kershaws etc. You made an excellent choice and I must say that 943 is a great choice by the misses, very elegant.
 
Combo is nice on large knives above 3 inches. Other than that is full SE or PE for me.

As long as you and your wife are happy, that's all that matters.
 
I hate combo edges, but the only thing that matters is how you like it. If you like the knives then you made the right choice.
 
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