Partially serrated vs. straight edge

IMO, serrations are for guys who can't sharpen a plain edge.LOL! That said, the serrated blades do have their uses. When I was on the fire department, I carried a serrated edge knife, for cutting rope and seatbelts, etc. For quick and dirty, use serrations. If you take pride in your knives, plain edge.
 
einsteinjon said:
Thanks for all the opinions guys. So I think I've come to the conclusion to carry one of each, or a 2-bladed knife with one of each blade style in it. I do have use for serrations as I find myself cutting a lot of robe and cardboard (which like J85909266 can be done more effectively with serrations I've found). I've gotten annoyed with combo edges for pretty much the common reason above - the length of each edge type is split in half.

I have been looking at the BM Griptilian 550HG and will likely buy one in straight edge. From what I can tell they are one-handed opening, but I am unfamiliar with the Axis lock. Are they one handed closing as well?

Also, does anyone have any suggestions on either a fully serrated knife that is "easy" (relatively speaking) to sharpen, or a dual bladed knife with both one each of a straight and serrated blade? I've had a double-bladed Schrade Avatar with one straight blade and one serrated blade. I don't use it much anymore as the edge likes to chip under pretty light conditions and doesn't seem to like to be sharpened. One-handed open/close is a must please!

Thanks again guys!!!
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Yeah, the axis lock is one-handed closing as well...

As far as a two-bladed knife with serrations/plain blade, Spyderco makes a knife called the Micro Dyad that has this feature. It's small, and rather pricey by my standards, but Spyderco knives are pretty awesome. I'm not sure, but judging by the name "Micro" Dyad, I'm guessing there might be an original Dyad out there, maybe a little larger. Maybe I'm wrong...:o

Another perfectly acceptable option is a Byrd "Wings." Byrd knives are made by Spyderco, and I have yet to hear a bad thing about them...The Wings is similar to the Dyad, but is bigger, cheaper, and not as pretty!! :D Really, it's not an ugly knife, and would be great for an every-day knife, with the two blades like you want.

Good Luck!

Frosty
 
Ok, so just to get a few more options, are there any good fully serrated single-blade knives out there? I have seen the Spyderco ones and most have a lockback, which doesn't lend itself to one-handed operation. Basically I am looking for an excuse to get a Benchmade no matter what, so I realized if I got a dual blade Spyderco like the above suggested I wouldn't have an excuse to get a BM hahaha!

I am looking for decent steel (i.e. at least better than AUS8), and one-handed operation. Does Benchmade happen to make a fully serrated folder? I have not seen one on their site but don't know if there may be something floating around out there.

Thanks!
 
Ahhh, but spyderco's lockbacks are 100% one handed. It even tells you how to open and close them with one hand somewhere in the paperwork on website :confused:

You hold the knife like you normally would, then move your thumb over the mid-lock on the spine, then apply pressure and with gravity or a little flick, the blade swings down a bit and sets on your index finger.

Unless your hand is really far back on the handle it won't cut you. After the blade sets on your finger, just remove all fingers from the path and continue to close the blade.

I'm sure there are videos on youtube that show this :thumbup:
 
J's Knives-N-More said:
Ahhh, but spyderco's lockbacks are 100% one handed. It even tells you how to open and close them with one hand somewhere in the paperwork on website :confused:

You hold the knife like you normally would, then move your thumb over the mid-lock on the spine, then apply pressure and with gravity or a little flick, the blade swings down a bit and sets on your index finger.

Unless your hand is really far back on the handle it won't cut you. After the blade sets on your finger, just remove all fingers from the path and continue to close the blade.

I'm sure there are videos on youtube that show this :thumbup:
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You're right J...I found a couple of these on youtube showing one-handed operation is possible. Thanks. :thumbup:
 
Benchmade only make part serrations. If you want a good quality folder for not that much the delica 4 is a great knife. fully serrated one hand opening or plain. The grip from benchmade is also good. Spyderco's demonstration on one hand opening and closing:

http://www.spyderco.com/edge-u-cation/index.php?item=7

Really not that hard and the delica is vg10 steel. I know the grips and delica's etc are not that expensive so give them a try if you worried about not spending to much
 
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AFAIK, Spyderco and Cold Steel are the only companies making fully serrated blades in their production folders.

Of the two, I recommend Spyderco. I like the VG-10 steel they use; it's excellent.

For years I carried a Delica fully serrated and an Endura plain edge.
Or 2 Enduras, one FS and one PE.

The Spyderco serrations are amazing and last a looooong time.
If you want them to last even longer, you can invest a bit more and buy the ZDP-189 version.

(BTW, I happen to like ZDP-189 better as a FS than as a PE.)
 
Just bought a BM 550HG plain edge/black handle and Spyderco Endura fully serrated/foliage handle from eBay. Thanks for all the input guys!
 
I think that your 550HG is the best of all the varieties of Griptilian. Also, serrations would spoil it.

I hate half serrated knives (even though I have several). I'd only use one if I was working rope intensive, like a climber.
 
the 550hg is a very nice user knife! you will not be disappointed:

2008_0921allefotos0110.jpg


bench550hg41.jpg
 
J85909266 said:
Serrated knives make great work knives and beaters.

Also, contrary to what people will tell you, they massively out cut plain edge knives in efficiency and longevity. Of course, I'm talking about Spyderco serrations, which are just as easy as a plain edge to sharpen if you have a Sharpmaker. Not all serrations are created equal.

People think they are ugly, so they make up stuff about them not performing because they don't want to accept that the ugly version of the knife will cut down boxes with ease all day for three days without being sharpened, while the same knife in plain edge will dull and start dragging in the first hour. Most people don't know that because they carry their knife around all day and cut like five little things with it, tops. I bought a serrated and a plain edge Delica, both in VG-10, and put them to real work, toe to toe. The performance difference is staggering.
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Not everyone has a job cutting down boxes. It really depends on what you want the knife to do. If you're cutting a lot of rope, strapping, cardboard, etc., then the serrations may be just the thing. If you are looking for an emergency knife for kayaking, then serrations fit the bill.

However, if you need a delicate/precise cut, then they're not so good. Try whittling with a serrated blade. I've used blades in the past to make fine cuts on a woodworking project. In those instances, I did not want a serrated edge. There's a reason that every bushcraft blade you see is plain-edged. Often, those knives are used for precise cuts in wood (making traps, for instance).

Also, try doing precise work in the kitchen with a serrated blade. They're great for slicing certain items like tomatoes or even bread. But if you're cutting small fruits/vegetables and the visual display matters, you want a blade that will make a clean, neat cut. Once again, plain edge fits the bill.
 
Guyon said:
Not everyone has a job cutting down boxes. It really depends on what you want the knife to do. If you're cutting a lot of rope, strapping, cardboard, etc., then the serrations may be just the thing. If you are looking for an emergency knife for kayaking, then serrations fit the bill.

However, if you need a delicate/precise cut, then they're not so good. Try whittling with a serrated blade. I've used blades in the past to make fine cuts on a woodworking project. In those instances, I did not want a serrated edge. There's a reason that every bushcraft blade you see is plain-edged. Often, those knives are used for precise cuts in wood (making traps, for instance).

Also, try doing precise work in the kitchen with a serrated blade. They're great for slicing certain items like tomatoes or even bread. But if you're cutting small fruits/vegetables and the visual display matters, you want a blade that will make a clean, neat cut. Once again, plain edge fits the bill.
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Of course, for hobbies like whittling and some kitchen use, they aren't ideal. I never meant to say they where better at everything. I certainly wouldn't want my FBM or my Victorinox Solo serrated, for instance. But I'll fight tooth and nail for serrated blades as the best workers and beaters there are.
 
I like all three. SE, CE, and PE.

A combo is a good edc knife, because you can cut though materials with the serrations, and then cut regular stuff with your plain. Plain is good for outdoor use, because it's ideal for wood work, ans easy to sharpen. SE is good for work, boxes, plastics, when you want your knife to be a good sharp all day long.

That's just for me though. Dunno about you.
 
I own a few partially serrated bladed knives, but I much prefer a plain edge for most of the things I cut. Serrations seem to snag like mentioned before in this thread or they usually end up being caked up with the material you are cutting.I do like the serration for cutting the thick plastic strapping on building supplies and things like that though.
 
I use whatever EDC I might have on a given day for skinning/gutting deer, skinning coyotes. I have found that serrated blades grab fur and make more of a mess, although a serrated edge will go through the sturnum easily.

All a matter of preference.
 
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