Opinions on semi-serrated blades wanted

C

culter

Joined
Apr 22, 2001
Messages
121
I'm wondering about semiserrated (50/50) blades. I have only a small one on my Gerber multitool. I have always the urge to either use the serrated or the plain part of the blade but since it is so short that is often next to impossible.
So what is your view on that. Do you like semiserrated blades or is it a bad compromise?

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Seek simplicity, and distrust it.
Whitehead, Alfred North (1861 - 1947)
 
While many excellent debates have taken place here regarding the usefulness of serrations vs. plain edges, I think most are inclined to agree that for your typical folder length blade (i.e. 4" and under), the 50/50 combo doesn't really leave enough blade of either edge style to be truly effective at either type of cutting chore.

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Semper Fi

-Bill
 
I personally don't like serrations, but I can see their usefulness. If you were a person who had to cut rope quite a bit for example. I have the same situation, a part serrated blade on my SOG multi tool, and it is also quite small. I have used it to cut rope many times and you can't beat serrations for that.

Brandon
 
Yes, I don't doubt the usefullness of serrations. I love my Leatherman Wave cause it has both a plain and a serrated blade. I have also ordered a serrated Spyderco Harpy yesterday for use around our boat. It's just the combo edge that irritates me.

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Seek simplicity, and distrust it.
Whitehead, Alfred North (1861 - 1947)
 
Serrations are good for cutting through rope and tough fibrous materials. Obviously, they are harder to sharpen unless you have the proper sharpener. Some people don't care for them, but I think it's a matter of personal choice.
 
I tend to stay away from 50/50 combinations. Not enough of either one. I find that combos get in the way. If you want a nice cut you end up with the serration leaving what you are cutting ragged and if you want to cut rope it slips when the plain edge hits.

I usually buy either one or the other and decide which to carry depending on use. Right now I am carrying a serrated Spyderco Rookie II. Personally, serrated knives fit my activities.

The only combo that I own is a Bear MGC that was a freebie. Great knife though, used to be my EDC.

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Jason Cadden
jc.gif

Webmaster
Smoky Mountain Knife Works, Inc.
 
I have a 50/50 Endura (the old one) and a 50/50 Starmate. All my other knives are either full plain or serrated. While at first thought, the 50/50 seems cool, in practical use, it's not. Neither edge is long enough to perform on any but the most basic tasks. I keep the Endura in the car, but I carry the Starmate most of the time. I really wish I had been patient enough for the plain edge.
 
I like some knives in 50/50, but others I don't. Depends on the knife.

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Brian
The first knife was probably used to cut stuff.
 
My favourite serrated folder has to be the Outdoor Edge Magna. Kit Carson's reverse pattern cuts smoothly unlike others. Again, it's a personal choice. Go with what you like best.

-Fashion/Music trends come and go, but knives are forever.-
 
I hate to go against the grain, but I really like the 50/50 blades on anything ~3.5" and up. The straight tip works well for fine work like peeling or splinter removal. If you have to cut twine, cord or that pesky fiberglass strand reinforced strapping tape, the serrations are very useful. I know a lot of people who will not buy 50/50s because they do not think they will be as good an investment value. IMHO, having 50/50 doesn't lose anything and can really give you extra performance in a user blade
David

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AKTI# A000150
NC Custom Knifemakers Guild member
NC Knife Knuts member
 
Right now I buy mostly plain edge knives.Although I own some 50/50 and they work just fine for me.I use knives at home(i have a lot of landscaping)on the job as a firefighter,and in my hobbies(hunting,camping,canoeing,skiing ect)I mostly use my 50/50 for all these.My 50/50 710 and delica see a lot of use and I can't think of a time they did not do the job.My delica has dressed deer and cut my canoe free when a rope tangeld up in some rocks in some rapids,its cut tar paper and plastic,and clothes off of trauma victims,prepared food and who knows what else.What more could I want from a knife?

If you use a knife a lot during the day at work or in the feild I think its nice to have the serrations because at the end of the day I know they will still cut.

As far as ropes I've never had to cut one over 3/4 inch so a couple inches of serration has always been enough.
 
I no longer care for the 50/50 style but I've been carying one for about 5 years now and it's always done the job for me. You learn to cut differently with this style of blade.
 
I have only one partially serrated blade, and that is on my C-15 Spydie Terzuola Clipit. It was the only way that the store sold it at the time and I didn't know any better, so I paid the expensive price for it and have hated the damned serrations ever since. Don't misunderstand me, I love the rest of the knife, but I hate serrated blades, and I hate partially serrated blades even more! I can see the value of serrations to some, in which case, buy a fully serrated knife or buy a Spyderco Dyad, which has two blades, on serrated and one not. But I can see no reason for spoiling a perfectly good blade by trying to make a partial saw of it.

I apologise for the rant, but it touched a tender spot.

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Walk in the Light,
Hugh Fuller
 
My opinion on half-serrated blades: Blech!

I do like serrated blades, but not if they are the only knife I am too carry. I only own one serrated knife -- an endura -- but I like it rather alot.

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Clay Fleischer
clay_fleischer@yahoo.com
AKTI Member A000847
 
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