Thoughts on the single blade combo plain/serrated

Marty_E · Jul 7, 2016

The only carry knives I have are of the plain blade variety. Was wondering what you folks though about the combo plain/serrated blade? Not sure I would find utility in having both on a blade shorter than 3.5", but I'm sure you'll enlighten me.

jkarp_53 · Jul 7, 2016

I have no use for partially serrated blades Marty. (There are a couple, like my 910SCG that only came with a partially serrated blade, so I live with them.) And on any blade shorter than 3.5, that doesn't leave much to work with; IMO.

Here's that very rare 910SCG!

Marty_E · Jul 8, 2016

Nice looking knife you have there jkarp. I've never seen an opening assist like that before, interesting.

Boomer8404 · Jul 8, 2016

I have knives with blades between 2 & 4"s some plain edge, some combo. The serrations do help with some certain cutting tasks, but as long as I keep my plain edge blades sharp, which I always do, I don't have any cutting issues. Choice between the two, for the last couple of years I prefer plain edge over combo.

billym · Jul 8, 2016

The only 50/50 blade it have deliberately purchased recently is a Benchmade 530. With such a light and thin folder the serrations gives it a bit more cutting "power" from my experience. I have a 531 with a plain edge.
Mostly I am a plain edge guy.

Krazy Cash · Jul 8, 2016

I rarely ever go anywhere without a blade with some form of serrations on it. You never know when you'll need them, and damn they come in handy.

jkarp_53 · Jul 8, 2016

Marty_E said:
Nice looking knife you have there jkarp. I've never seen an opening assist like that before, interesting.

Hi Marty, that's a manual locking liner knife. When made, not one of us owned anything assisted.

pbcg · Jul 9, 2016

I think it depends on your cutting needs. When I was working on ships I found the serrations on a CE extremely useful. Especially when cutting lines, rope, zip tires, burlap and other fibrous materials that I encountered daily.

Another advantage to a CE in the field is that the serrations will stay sharp substantially longer. If your not in a position to sharpen your knife and your using it for an extended period of time the serrations really help.

The downside of course it not everyone (myself included) has the easiest time sharpening them. I know in theory it's not that difficult but I never really got the results I wanted.

Now retired my cutting needs have changed substantially so I buy almost exclusively PE knives. Plus I find them esthetically more pleasing and as said easier to sharpen. The only time I buy a combo edge these day's is because it's a discontinued classic and that's all I can find. Back in the day (90's early 00's) combo edges were actually preferred and more popular. Funny how thing's change.