Self Defense Folder: 50/50 or Plain?

Diamond Cut II · May 12, 2003

Would you prefer a self defense folder with a partially serrated edge or a plain and why? Reason I ask is, I'm planning on getting the Spyderco Renegade solely for that purpose. Thanks for looking.

torment · May 12, 2003

You should do a search...there are a TON of threads about this topic.

Seems to be the consensus: Plain all the way! If you plain is sharp enough, you probably won't need the serrations.

switched · May 12, 2003

What he said.

sygyzy · May 12, 2003

In a self defense situation how would a partially serrated blade be of any use? The only thing I can think of is you plan on slicing through the attacker's limb muscles, then use the serrated section to saw away and cut off his arm/leg.

I think if you tried to do that to me, you'd be dead pretty quick.

torment · May 12, 2003

I have noticed all the times I've cut myself with plain edged knives its always been deeper. The serrated cut seems to bleed a lot longer but doesn't go in as far. I don't have a lot of experience with this topic but I've always read the posts from the other users from this board.

trane fan · May 12, 2003

PE without a doubt.

Diamond Cut II · May 12, 2003

Thanks for all the replies. I saw a couple 806D2s with partially serrated edges and that just got me wonderin'. I'll do a search to find out more. Thanks again!

knifenerd · May 12, 2003

PE all the way. Serrations are good for fibrous materials like rope or webbing, but even on those materials, a sharp plain edge will do just fine. (and MUCH easier to sharpen

)

T. Erdelyi · May 12, 2003

If it's strictly SD, serrated, it does more damage, if it's to be and EDC/ Backup SD, I'd go with a straight blade, it'll be easier to sharpen when it gets dull from EDC use.

PhoulPlae · May 12, 2003

A round edged serration as found on various Ka-Bar's tends to cut skin even easier than a plain straight edge. I think the angle of the edge is smaller, and it is not a point, more like a curved part of the blade. I would still go with a plain edge, but I know from experience that when the rounded serrations are sharpened well, they will definitely cut (me) deeper than just running your finger on the plain edge part. The Spyderco style tends to grab and tear more so I wouldn't recommend that for a self defense knife.

J-man_the_jet · May 12, 2003

Unless the whole blade is adleast 5" CE blades are useless. They just remind you what you could do if you had a plain edge or a fully serrated edge. (I think I took the last part from trane_fan).