Plain, serrated or 50/50 on a defensive knife?

T

TCW

Joined
Nov 16, 2001
Messages
29
It seems like a strange question, but I'd like to know your opinions. Keep in mind it would not be used for a lot of other tasks, sharpening is not a big issue.

Thanks!
 
It is NOT a strange question. BUT, what do you mean by "defensive"?
If you mean the actual act of stabbing another human being, IMO a serrated edge would NOT be beneficial. In REAL life, there will be alot of "blood and guts" if you had to slash and stab to save a life or YOUR life. I would want a nice sharp as hell edge that did not get boogered up with "meat" if I had to keep on the "offensive". A knife, more than less, creates a 'hydraulics' problem for the human body. I would think a nice easy and quick penetration and a clean cut to the major arteries is the way to go and a 50/50 is just a little less efficient. (this is a NEWBIE opinion). I sure HOPE it never comes to pass...........wolf:(
 
Fully serrated for defensive maneuvers, eg "slash & run", where the objective is to disable the aggressor and remove yourself from harm's way.
 
This is just my opinion, but the 50/50 would seem to make sense. One of the most popular defensive knives ever made, the Emerson CQC7, whether made by Benchmade, or Emerson (custom) or the factory Emerson, was sold in very large quantities in the 50/50 configuration.
 
Remember that emergency cutting of fabric, rope, or nylon or rubber belts used on machines could be part of protecting yourself or someone else as well. There is nothing wrong with some serrations on the back of the knife blade to start the cut. The only reason I have so few, is that they are harder to sharpen if you use them on a regular basis. But I am told my sharpmaker can do it no problem. Just have not tried. That said the only 2 knives that I have that are fully serrated are the spyderco civilian. There it makes sense as its certainly not a knife you would stab into something with. I also have the spyderco Merlin and it also makes sense on the hawkbill blade shape for the same reasons though its a much thicker more robust blade.
 
How about on a Spyderco Native? The serrations go nearly up to the tip.
 
Former Navy SEAl CJ Caracci, who has a forum here, prefers the combo edge on a folder for the most part (I hope I get this right.) The idea is that the plain edge up front makes stabbing easier, and the serrations help you cut\slash.

Personally, I carry for now a combo AFCK, though I'd rather it be a plain edged knife. I sharpen my knife regularly and us eit for utilitarian tasks. A plain edge works better for me for EDC so I'd rather have a plain edge than a combo edge. My knife will be sharp enough for slashing, though i realinze I am giving up the power of the serrations. Also, from minimal experimentation with serrated blades and clothes on my part, I don't like how serrations can hang up on clothes.
 
That's an interesting question. Two of the largest folders currently in production, whose "more-than-likely" primary purpose is defense/offense, are the fully serrated Cold Steel Vaquero Grande, and the non-serrated REKAT Sifu.

I dunno the "correct" answer to the question, but I choose to carry a Sifu.:).
 
I am astonished about the allegation that a serrated blade is the best grind for slashes.
Certainly is a serrated blade useful for ropes and comparable materials but regarding flesh and clothes a plain edge is IMO the better grind. I know no butcher knife, tailor scissors or shoemaker knife with a serrated blade.

I think that a plain edge is the best grind regarding self defense/fighting purposes.
Undoubtedly the penetration potential is better (due to the less friction).
There is no advantage of a serrated blade regarding slashes because I know no clothes made of ropes.
There is a danger that a serrated blade get tandeld up with clothing materials.
 
This question is very personal you will be advised all 3 options from different people. My personal carry is a 50/50 but I don’t rely care as long as a knife I carry will do a good job of cutting and gutting a BG I will carry it.

Ok if it is a question of plane Vs serrated it depends on the climate you are currently in. If it's hot and your BG is wearing a shorts and t-shirt a serrated edge will do a better job as the serrations don’t have to much cloving to get stuck in but if is cold you want a plain edge to cut through thick cloving. But at the end of the day it's training that will win the fight not the type of blade you carry.
;)
 
....and a very sharp one!



"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
The point I tried to make is also highlighted by the comment about serrations getting "hung up" on clothing. Unless your assailant is naked, you will find it difficult to use on a human being UNLESS this time is NOT your first time. A plain edge does not get bothered by layers of clothing say in cold weather and then easily can be rotated and removed and used to slash. IMO, the serrated defensive knives are for looks. Try to slash a New Englander in February (sub 30) and get thru His heavy wool coat, his heavy down vest, his heavy flannel shirt, his sweat shirt and his thermal top to get to skin. You will have a knife full of fibers and one very angry person dressed for the enviornment. My 2 cents.....wolf
 
Think hands and legs Wolfmann. If the guy is dressed like s snow man on top, go for the inside or outside of his thigh (cut the femoral artery and he's toast but quick. Go back of leg and cut the hamstrings. Jeans and Long johns are no match for a syderco civi. Do the muggers all dress like snow men there? Then go for the hands/face. Better yet, shoot em. The guy has to be bear somewhere. Who gets attacked by a big ball of cloths? Also the way you make it sound anything short of a stilletto would never make it through anyway.
 
Mike,
You sir, are on the money!!!!! I was just playing Devil's Advocate and no, not all scumbags with evil intentions dress like frosty:D :D . However, the very first time your life depended on a knife, would it NOT Suk for it to be a drunken 6'7" 275 pound logger?
Yup, Yup, Yup, the WRONG tool for that big boy IS a knife of ANY configuration. I too, would be far happier with a .45 ACP with Gold Dot, Golden sabre, corbon, or Hydra-Shok.:D :D :D wolf
 
If some bad guy is wearing a lot of clothing, stick the bastard instead of trying to slash through it!
 
There are threee things that I don't like on a knife as I feel they interfere with the utility aspect... a tanto point (drop or spear points for me please), black coatings and serrations.
That being said the best, IMHO, "tactical" folder is the MT SOCOM tanto with a serrated edge and blade blade......
as a back-up weapon I think its ideal.
But that is a pretty limited role, for everyday knife use give me a Sebenza or Spyderco Calypso.
 
I've always preferred plain edges, and I always will -- though I own both serrated, combo, and plain-edge blades. Serrated blades make great utility pieces, especially combo-edge blades.

I figure the best all-around self-defense knife is a plain-edge blade that is kept extremely sharp.
 
It don't matter as long as its sharp. If you think serrated blades cut better, get the whole thing serrated. Never got the point of a combo blade myself, though it does force one to put a fine edge on part of the blade and a stronger, more abtuse edge on the rest. That can be useful, but you don't need serrations for that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top