Short Combo Edge Blades; Do They Have Merit?

[danbot]

Do they have any real merit? I mean, you kinda end up with a half a knife most of the time in my experience. I don't use serrations most of the time and much prefer a plain edge for 90% of my cutting tasks, but the combo edge seems to still be popular even on blades ~3".

What's your take on this?

 

[woodsmanoh]

I used to feel the same way until I purchased a Native with PSE. That blade was great. It was about 50/50 3" long. I always thought serrations would be too hard to sharpen but the overall function of the knife was awesome. I purchased the spyderco sharp maker and the serrated edges were easy to maintain. I carried the knife daily for a few years till I eventually lost it. Used it for everything from gardening to food prep and even some light carving. I enjoyed the edge a lot and have not hesitated to get another one. I found it extremely useful as a work knife on construction job sites. Tough as hell and wicked sharp.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Maybe if the put the serrations at the end they would.
The only knife I find acceptable with it's partially serrated blade is my sog seal pup, but even it's not that ideal.

 

[danbot]

Maybe if the put the serrations at the end they would.
The only knife I find acceptable with it's partially serrated blade is my sog seal pup, but even it's not that ideal.

That's something I don't recall ever seeing.

 

[Hickory n steel]

That's something I don't recall ever seeing.

I recently saw this on an EKKO pairing knife at a Goodwill this weekend, and I know a few folders have done it but it's definitely not very common.

 

[silverds]

As with any other configuration compromises must be made. There are situations where one might prefer either a plain edge or a fully serrated blade. Each one is bereft of the advantages of the other. A hybrid of both can be emulated to some extent with toothy edge but some might yet find it preferable to segment a single blade with a section of each. Though, I will go ahead and presume that anyone who is awaiting an answer to the original question, probably doesn't need a combo edge.

 

[DocJD]

On a big knife , like a 5.5" blade Voyager , the combo serrations can be useful . But these days I usually carry one PE and one fully serrated .

 

[danbot]

As with any other configuration compromises must be made. There are situations where one might prefer a plain edge or a fully serrated blade. Each one is bereft of the advantages of the other. A hybrid of both can be emulated to some extent with toothy edge but some might yet find it preferable to segment a single blade with a section of each. Though, I will go ahead and presume that anyone who is awaiting an answer to the original question, probably doesn't need a combo edge.

True, but I'm wondering who really needs a combo edge? Or is it maybe just nice to have the option for some? I kind of look at it like "Best of both worlds" type of thing where if you put them together it's really not so great for either of them.

 

[McFeeli]

I used to prefer combo edges because even if the plain edge is dull, the serrations will continue to cut with authority for years.

Now that I can sharpen a blade correctly, I tend to prefer plain edges overall. That doesn't mean I don't see the value that a combo edge has over a plain edge, because there is a bit of an advantage a CE has in my opinion.

 

[silverds]

True, but I'm wondering who really needs a combo edge? Or is it maybe just nice to have the option for some? I kind of look at it like "Best of both worlds" type of thing where if you put them together it's really not so great for either of them.

Lets say your job is to unpack the contents of this, 4000 times a day, and then clean up the mess. Now pick one...

 

[danbot]

Lets say your job is to unpack the contents of this, 4000 times a day, and then clean up the mess. Now pick one...

That is an excellent example. I've never had to do that before, but it looks like a case where a combo edge would certainly have merit! Thanks!

 

[Pilsner]

Ah, Lake Como and its short edge knives, it takes me back...

She was 19, I was 18, on the shores of Lake Como, and only a short edge was necessary to cut away the chastity belt before we

Erm, where was I? Yes, meh, I have a few combo edged folders, I use them when climbing. Sometimes.

 

[silverds]

That is an excellent example. I've never had to do that before, but it looks like a case where a combo edge would certainly have merit! Thanks!

I would say the real question in this example is whether you want the serrated section near the handle or the tip. I'd prefer the serrations at the tip and the plain edge near the ricasso in this scenario. I can't remember seeing that configuration that often.

 

[danbot]

I would say the real question in this example is whether you want the serrated section near the handle or the tip. I'd prefer the serrations at the tip and the plain edge near the ricasso in this scenario. I can't remember seeing that configuration that often.

That's what Hickory n steel was mentioning, but it's not too common.

 

[silverds]

That's what Hickory n steel was mentioning, but it's not too common.

Indeed he did. I slipped past that, in my excitement to contribute.

 

[silverds]

I don't know what this is for but I'm sure whomever does probably has had to cut a lot of it and perform some kind of splice.

 

[danbot]

Okay, so we have a couple of case here wher a short combo edge has merit. Anyone else have more?

 

[dsalazar]

I use the serrations to cut small limbs of bushes. Usually a benchmade mini grip. Lately though I've been carrying a Leatherman juice b2. It has one fully serrated and one plain. I carry that along with a 3.5 - 4 inch folder.

 

[silverds]

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Edit: my arrows don't show up.

 

[danbot]

Here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and over there somewhere.

Edit: my arrows don't show up.

I thought that's what Sabres were for.