Serrated vs. Plain vs. 50/50 (Blades)

H

Harikari

Joined
Sep 27, 1999
Messages
104
What are the benefits of one or all three of these Blade configuration options?

1) serrated blades?
2) plain non-serrated blades?
3) 50/50 half & half blades?

(Anybody know the Georgia State knife carry Laws?)
 
Do a search on the topic. You'll find out the benefits of each type. It's mostly personally opinion and what you like.

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Johnny
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I like 50/50 too...except that in a fighter/utility I like the serrations out forward where they'll "rip" on a slash, and in close I get the plainedge for delicate utility tasks where I get the plainedge control down near the grip where it belongs.

Mad Dog has done this pattern on less than 40 civilian-available pieces known as the WSP1 ATAK variant and it's available as an option on his geometric-tip Tantos. Darryl Ralph has experimented with it too.

Jim March (love my WSP1)

[This message has been edited by Jim March (edited 08 November 1999).]
 
I use knives daily in my work and found that the serrated is king if you want to cut natural fiber rope. I do cut a lot of sisal and hemp from 1/4 inch up to 2 inches. Outside of that I hardly use it. The plain edge is better at sliding push cuts on softer material that the serrated would make a mess of like slicing open soft foam or in whittling type motions as opposed to sawing. Even softer cotton based rope is better cut, I find, with a plain edge as the serrated tugs at the fibers. The 50/50 I have never found a good use for because to me it is an unacceptable compromise. The serrated part never seems long enough for the sawing motion required of a serrated edge and the plain edge is always out near the tip so you cant use the sweet spot of the blade to even peel an apple. I wont even buy a 50/50. There have been some great looking handle and blade configurations only avilable in 50/50 and I have to pass. But that is my opinion based on my usage.
Alex
 
i don't like 50/50 unless i only can carry one knife (those are sad days). i normally carry one or more plain edge knives and a spyderco harpy or a spyderco rescue if i know i'm going to be cutting a lot of rope. i normally like and use plain edge. but for rope and other really tough materials, full serrated knives are the best.
 
Hari --

DEFINITELY do a search on this topic. There have been long, detailed discussions on the pros and cons of these 3 formats. Based on the slow response so far, people may be getting a bit burned out on the question.

I've written long posts on my opinion, which I won't repeat (you can find 'em in search), but in the end I feel: plain edge is most useful, serrated edge somewhat useful, partially-serrated is "worst of both worlds" and not useful. All to me, in my opinion only. YMMV.

Joe
 
Carry 1 plain blade and one serrated.

I like serrations personally, a all seration knife and plain blade, can't top that...
 
I only like plain edged knives. I like the simple lines, the ease of sharpening, and the traditional look of plain edges. Plus they are less scary to sheeple.

For my uses a serrated knife is less useful. And 50/50 is in my opinion not enough of both worlds to be useful in either world.

Just my opinion.
 
I like Plain edge. The only use IMO for serrations, is thick, loose fiber rope. I can cut tighter rope just fine with a plain edge. Also, as per Joe Talmadge's sharpening ideas, you can "rough up" a plain edge so it will slice rope acceptably. I use my knives for whittling, so partial serrations would get in the way of the aforementioned "sweet spot."

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"If you fake the Funk, your nose will grow."
- W. Bootsy Collins

 
If I could only have one knife, it's going to be a plain edge, period If I could carry two, one will be plain and the other will be fully serrated. I don't like partially serrated knives, it's the worst of both worlds, IMHO.


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Reynaert

 
I agree with Mike on the plain and serrated but have to say that the 50/50, IMHO is a waste.
I can do all things just as well with a full plain edge.
YMMV

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I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be and atheist, but I cannot conceive how a man could look up into the heavens and say there is no God.
*Abraham Lincoln

Romans 1:20-22

 
50/50 bad.

Serrated good for rope, bread, sawing.

Plain best.

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James Segura
San Francisco, CA


 
I agree with Frantium. But if you really
don't use your knife much, and only carry
one, the 50/50 is a bad lookin mutha! But
looks are just that, IMHO.
 
When I first got into knives a few years ago, I believed 50/50 blades were the best. Now, I either carry plain edge or fully serrated. Mostly, I carry plain edge though.
In reference to your question on knife laws in Georgia, there is little reference to knives in Georgia State Law. Georgia Code 16-11-126 refers to the carrying on concealed knives and other weapons. Knives are lumped in with metal knuckles, bludgeons,etc. The key phrase in this law is"a knife designed for the purpose of offense or defense." This, of course is vague and open to various interpretations. However, Georgia has a Concealed Carry Law that allows you to carry various weapons concealed, including knives.
The length of a knife is mentioned in Georgia Code 16-11-106. this is possession of gun or knife during commission of crime. The length mentioned is 3 inches or more. This, however means nothing to law abiding citizens.
My advice as a LEO is to get a CCW and carry whatever you want, serrated,plain, or 50/50!!
 
Rob231 , I'm so glad someone finally addressed my Georgia issues concerning knife carry. Yahooo. I have a (CCW) Firearms License but it does not cover to my knowledge any "non-firearm" related weapons. I have memorized both the statutes that you have mentioned. Every LEO might interpret them in a different way. I want to carry a knife without fear that an upset officer might charge me if he is in a bad mood? I want to carry an "Endura" the perfect size! But I am going to have to settle for a "Delica" 2.9" under 3" inches. But even at 2.9" inches that might be considered "a knife for the purpose of offense or defense"??????

I never thought about carrying two knives at once. I thought maybe a 50/50 blade would be best? Maybe a plain edge can do it all? I was thinking about seat belts? Which edge would be best for knife fighting?
 
If I had to carry just one knife, it would be plain-edged. I do carry a fully serrated blade on a regular basis, in addition to my primary (strong side) plain edge. No 50/50 blades though.

Everybody seems to privilege serrations for rope and seat belts, primarily. I've never tried cutting a seat belt, but I have a sneaky suspicion that my agressively sharp, plain edged AFCK would do a lot better than my serrated Endura. Just a hunch. I have found that my plain edge works better on most of the rope I've had occasion to cut, including hard manila. Maybe a serrated edge would work better on very thich ropes, but how often do you cut thick ropes?

The primary advantage of a serrated blade is that it can be marginally effective even if not well maintained. The real advantage a Serrated edge has over a plain edge, assuming both are sharp, is when it comes time to saw through a frozen bagel.

David Rock

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AKTI Member # A000846
Stop when you get to bone.
 
This topic comes up frequently. It's hard to put on the gloves every month, but often I seem to be one of only a few people that defend serrations.

Here are two of the many myths of serrated knives that have already appeared in this thread:
1. "Serrated knives can't make push cuts" - Of course, plain edges will do better at push type cuts, but serrated knives can accomplish them. Try whittling with serrations; you may be surprised at how well they perform.
2. "A properly sharpened plain edge will do everything that a serrated one can" - This simply isn't true. Try cutting though some PVC pipe, or similar thick, dense material with a plain edge. It doesn't work.

For what it's worth, I don't like 50/50 either.
 
I asked a Georgia LEO today the knife carry question. He said if the "pocket clip" is showing/visible then it is not concealed and any length can be carried. If the knife is completely concealed and at or over 3" inches then this would be classified as a weapon for offense or defense not to mention a concealed weapon charge lingering. I'm so fed up with all this vagueness.
 
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