plain blade verses half serated

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Jun 20, 1999
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I have many knives but no serated ones. They looked like they would be to hard to sharpen. But yesterday I was talking to Travis at Benchmade knives(he answers the e-mail) and he was telling me that they sell many more half serated than plain edge. He also feeled me in on all the pro`s and con`s of the serations. By the the way after talking to Travis about half hour on the phone I can tell he is a real knife enthusiast. He said all his personal knives had half serations. After talking to him I went out and bought 2 new BM 730 Ares with half serated blades. Am I going to like these?

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janefromnc

walker
 
It is true that partially serrated edges outsell plain edges. Last year the reverse was true. The basic advantage of serrations is that they will cut better when dull than a plain edge when it is dull. If you keep knives sharp then there isn't much advantage to serrations in a pocket knife (I think there are some advantages in a kitchen bread knife.) Yes, serrations are hard to sharpen and that's the basic disadvantage. If you don't or won't keep blades sharp then I recommend serrations. If you do or will, then I don't recommend them. Personally I use plain edges and keep them sharp. If I used serrated edges, though, I'd keep them sharp as well despite the hassle. Take care.

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Fred
Knife Outlet
http://www.knifeoutlet.com
 
All my knives used to be combo or serrations, most are plain now. If you want to sharpen serrations you'll need a Spyderco 204 sharpener and it'll do a dandy job. Personally, I feel that a well sharpened plain edge is more useful that a serrated one.

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"Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav'n"
John Milton
There are only two types of people; those who understand this, and those who think they do.
 
Been using plain blades since before "Ginsu"
See no reason to change.Just keep a steel handy when you are skinning a bunch of wild boar.

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have a"knife"day
 
post,
This is purely a matter of personal preference. Only you will be able to judge whether you will like these knives or not.

Myself? I do not care for partially serrated edges. I can get the job done with a plain edge and most of my cutting needs outside of the kitchen don't require a serrated edge.

I have a partially serrated Starmate that I've tried to come to terms with, it is an outstanding knife, but I totally DISLIKE those serrations.
frown.gif

I still carry the knife and love it overall, except those damned serrations. No real reason, really, I mean, they work on fibrous materials really well, but, well, you know...
Just a matter of personal preference.
wink.gif


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My new bumper sticker:

Let me tell you about my SIFU!
 
Well, I liked the 730`s to well that I just ordered 2 more new ones from gp knives with plain blades. So I guess I`m covered now.

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janefromnc

walker
 
I prefer plain, but that is a preference. I don't do much rope cutting, otherwise I'd rethink that. It depends on your preference and your need, I believe.

Brandon

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"You should never never doubt what nobody is sure about..."
 
I prefer either a plain edged or a fully serrated knife. On most knives I use the blade it too short (<4”) for a combination to be effective, but in either case I like too keep them sharp. For a serrated knife Spyderco does a great job, using the Spydy Sharpmaker it is easy too keep the edge sharp.

Most combo blades have the serrations on the wrong end of the blade to begin with. If the serration’s were near the tip you would get a better sawing cut out of the knife, and still have a clean, strait edge for more delicate whittling type tasks. This would make for a halfway decent utility knife.


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James Segura
San Francisco, CA
 
I guess now that you own both you will come to your own conclusions. BTW, I originally was buying all partially serrated blades. Have not purchased another in over a year.

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It's only a mistake if you fail to learn from it!
 
Im sure you wont be disapointed.I like the 50/50 for many reasons.First,the serated edges almost act like a saw when cutting through vines and briars.Try this with a straight edge,doesn`t work that good.The points on the serated edges work well for digging out splinters.But it all depends on the type of applications you have nstore for it.I carry both a fixed straight edge and a 50/50 folder.I use them both for many different things.When it comes to chose one or the other,my choice is the 50/50.BTW my folder is a BM 750ps.
Take care,

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Jay
Life is like a box of chocolates,never know what your gona git!
 
Both are good, but it depends on your daily needs, and you preference in sharpening a plain blade.
A plain edge is best for precision cuts(whittling, and anything where you want to use the cutting edge right by the handle for a lot of control), and is easiest to sharpen. If you daily needs don't call for cutting alot of things like rope, seat belts or anyhting fibrous, plain edge is the way to go.
A sharp plain edge with a toothy edge will also do well on the fibrous materials, but doesn't perform quite as well at slicing as a really polished edge.
A comboedge is what you want if you have to cut a variety of different things often. I have 50/50 edge delica for a daily carry. I need to cut rope and other fibrous materials pretty often. And I use it for slicing jobs alot too. I can keep the plain edge so polished that even though it will shave like crazy it just slides across rope without cutting much. But it performs very well at slicing.The 50/50 combination gives me the best of both worlds. I have the serrations for cutting tough stuff, and the smooth razor sharp edge for for finer cuts and slicing.

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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
I like my partially serated bm710.
It may be the wrong way to look at it but I think the serrated portion is great for things I wouldn't want to possibly damage my plain edge on. I think it is more suitable for abuse.
 
I myself have to vote for the half serrated, some people say get one full plain and one full serrqated, but that is too much money, But I think if you can afford it then get one of each........
 
for everyday - plain blades are my choice - however -around boats and water - I kind of like a 50/50 or even full set of little teeth.. poly rope.. mono.. and lots of other junk that one can encounter in or under water is just handled better with sawteeth ! I keep a Delica full serrated for a "wet"knife - light and sharp and easy to use if I'm not carrying a dive knife.
Whatever it is keep it sharp ! plain is easier.
biggrin.gif


Life is not like a box of chocolates - sometimes there are NO Nuts!

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I like plain edges.

I also like serrated edges.

I intensely dislike partially serrated edges. In my experience, the serrations get in the way more often than they help.

I have only owned one partially serrated knife, a Benchmade 812sbt. It bothered me so much I eventually gave it away.

David Rock



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AKTI Member # A000846
Stop when you get to bone.
 
Hi, I've tried partially serrated blades, but never found a use for the serrations. I now stick with plain blades & love them
smile.gif
.
 
I like plain. All my carry blades are plain. If I were a climber or an emt, I'd carry a serrated, probably a sheepsfoot serrated, but I rarely ever have to cut rope. And if I do, a sharp plain blade will make a smoother cut anyways...

Stryver
 
I LOVE a razor sharp plain blade.
BUT - my everyday carry is a 50/50 EL CS Tanto Voyager. Sentiments for butterflys and fighters aside, I can't imagine getting through the day without it.

mosh
 
I personally dislike serrated edges so my view might be biased (as many) - it seems though that plain edges sell better in the for sale forum.. again it could be a product of my bias.

I do not think a serrated front would be advantegous though. (in reference to the upside down reverse serrations suggestion) You would probably need more force in heavy duty cuts needing serrations,. thus it would be better to have the serrations at the fulcrum of the knife while more preceise cuts would be better towards the edge.

Serations make me feel weird. I would probably buy a fully serrated spyderco (dont own a spydercoi though) if needed. BM serrateds just make me quezy.

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