Serrated Spyderco for EDC?

I carry a multitool or SAK everyday, which gives me a plain edge blade. I also carry a Rescue Jr or Ladybug II (both SE sheepsfoot). With SE, I like as much straight edge as possible, no belly at all. If the edge is straight, I find it easier to keep full contact with the material being cut, without snagging.

As others have mentioned, the SE is great for hard plastics and fibrous stuff. I also like carrying these knives as mini-rescue knives, for general preparedness. I know that if I need to cut something fast with less chance of stabbing whatever is around it, these knives will do the job.

If you want a couple inches of SE blade to have in your pocket, try the Ladybug II. It disappears on your keychain until needed - then cuts like heck.
 
I only carry fully serrated blades for general cutting purposes. I'm of the opinion too that serrated blades cut so much better(anything) If I want to whittle there is alway my SAK in the backpocket.
 
My vote goes for PE as EDC. Reason? Versatility.

I carry a multitool with a serrated blade. I also carry a Spyderco Para-Military in PE. I keep both blades sharp with the Spyderco Sharpmaker and, IMO, it is equally easy to sharpen either type of blade.

I find myself reaching for the PE Paramilly about 90 percent of the time. The other 10 percent, I use the SE on the multitool.

I find plain edges more useful, if kept reasonably sharp. A PE is more likely able to cut materials you don't have good control of. Sometimes the material is round and/or greasy and you may not be able to grip it hard to keep it immobile while cutting. In that situation, a serrated edge will simply roll the material but a finely sharpened PE cuts better. The same principle applies to free hanging, flexible materials that are hard to access but need a good grip. In other words, a SE needs more resistance than a PE to cut.

In my experience, a sharp PE will do better at peeling or shaving of any type. But the biggest advantage of a PE is precision: If you are fashioning an object with your knife and you need to carve intricate angles, curves, corners and recesses, a SE is not satisfactory. You can accurately shape with a PE but not a SE blade.

On the other hand, when a SE has enough resistance to cut against, it cuts more agressively, for a longer time. I have found, serrated edges keep on cutting even after they have ceased to be very sharp. In fact, a SE will go on cutting long after a PE has become dull and practically useless; So, in that sense, the SE is more dependable. And, as has been noted, the multiple points of serrations enable it to start cuts on materials impenetrable to plain edges, like a loaf of hard crust bread.

If you need to use your blade heavily but, find yourself in a situation where you cannot sharpen, serrations last alot longer. And in emergency situations, serrations are famous (at least with knife users) for their aggresiveness in tasks like quickly cutting away seat belts after an accident. A really sharp PE will do the same but, in an emergency like that, one wants to be as sure as possible and a dull SE will outcut an equally dull PE by a country mile.

I guess, that is why manufacturers offer blades in PE, SE or combo; And why there is a market for all three and some people carry one PE and one SE.
 
I started my knife buying about 25 years ago, I got one of the first Gerber lst's in plain edge. no pocket clip, ok edge, but not great, but light as a feather.

About 18 years ago I went to the Wisconsin state fair & there was a very personable gentleman at the Spyderco booth. I had never heard of Spyderco & had never seen a serrated pocket knife ( because they invented it) and a pocket clip ( because they invented it).

The gentleman (might or might not have been Sal) gave me the most impressive demo of the serrated standard. - I had to borrow money from my girlfriend to afford it, but it made me a believer.

I carried that knife for years, & it stayed sharp through all that time. I couldn't understand why, if anyone was smart enough to buy a Spyderco, why would he not get the serrations, as they were so much more aggessive.

I never thought I would buy a plain edge knife again, until I bought a calypso jr, in plain edge ( absolute razor blade) then a mini dyad ( best of both worlds) a UK penknife, now a zdp-189 calypso jr (a light saber).

I still buy serrated, a ss cricket, a harpy, an R2 ( I wish I could afford both a plain as well as the serrated, but that's life.)

If not carrying the dyad, I will usually carry both, a plain edge for clean cuts- (but I am careful not to cut something that will damage the edge) & a serrated for cutting ANYTHING that I decide needs a good cutting, without worrying if it will damage the edge.

Sorry to be so long winded, but to make a long story short (too late !!), get a calyspo jr in serrated vg10 & a calypso jr zdp-189 in plain edge & carry both.
 
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