Serrated vs Smooth Edge

Plain > Serrated > Combo

Combo edges make no sense to me. Make up your mind and get one or the other. Or both, like a multi-tool or Byrd/Spyderco Wings.
 
folding combo knives are horible, some larger fixed blades might work. and pointy serations will not cut at all when dull and are a pain to sharpen
 
I don't go for serrated knives, but I do have a Leatherman Wave in a holster on my belt, so I do have a serrated blade on me right now. Actually I quite like the idea on a multitool of having a nice sharp pointy plain blade + a sheepsfoot serrated blade - if I had to cut a seatbelt in an emergency the serrated blade would be my first choice.
 
My reasoning is the following: a plain edge is easier to maintain and will do everything that a serrated edge will do. A serrated edge does have more "cutting power" because of the teeth and the lengthier surface they provide, but isn't as easy to sharpen as a plain edge. Add all that up and to me a plain edge is more practical to carry and use overall.
 
I have always been plain til I got my Spyderco Crossbill with the partial serations. It is a hawkbill and cuts like a light saber. I have found it to be the most amazing cutter for the tasks I perform.
 
Plain edge by far for my uses. While I think serrations have a place if you have tactical needs, when you're out in the bush the plain edge is best.
 
Another vote for plain.

As others have said, if it's sharp, properly sharp, a plain edge will give up very little ability to a serrated edge.
 
I was under the impression that most knife nuts would prefer a serrated blade and that I would be the oddball for preferring a plain edge :rolleyes:.
 
Strangely by looking at all the stuff on the market now that was my impression as well that most people prefer combo. I like my Buck Crosslock with both blades but the blade I use the most is the smooth one. Same goes with my Leatherman but especially on the larger knives I have come to prefer the plain edge. If anything to me a serration would be best put on the back edge or portion thereof on a fixed blade and leave the full plain edge alone.

I guess I'm not nuts... Or at least not alone in being so ;-)
 
LUW said:
I was under the impression that most knife nuts would prefer a serrated blade and that I would be the oddball for preferring a plain edge :rolleyes:.
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I think that serrated would be popular amongst non knife nuts or at least people that don't get right into the art of sharpening. A neglected and blunt serrated knife will cut much better than a neglected and blunt plain edge knife. A blunt serrated knife with cut a tomato reasonably well, a blunt plain edge would be completely hopeless on a tomato, a VERY sharp knife will slice a tomato easier than the serrated knife. I have some steak knives that are over 5 years old and have had absolutely zero maintenance, they can cut tomatoes just fine. My Spyderco Endura 4 can shave the hairs off my arm and it can slice through tomatoes VERY easily.

A plain edge is as good or better than a serrated edge IF and only IF it is very sharp. A blunt plain edge is a pitiful thing! (except for spreading butter or jam)
 
I prefer a plain edge, as it seems more versatile. I can always sharpen a PE so it performs like an SE.
 
I like plain edges because they are just plain easier to sharpen.
Does anyone have any firsthand experience with the Veff serrations on the CRKT My Tighe knife? The Kershaw serrations are pretty good, but if I'm going to have a blade with serrations, I'd go with a fully serrated blade.
 
A combo is good so you don't have to carry two different knifes. Lethermans are good also, but it can feel bulky if you keep it in your pocket.
 
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