Torn between two blade types, combo or plain

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Spyder59

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Dec 26, 2014
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So what are your thoughts for my up coming purchase of a gentleman's edc flipper, plain versus combo blade. I've decided on every other aspect of the knife.
 
I rarely find a combo edge blade useful. Especially considering most combo edges have the portion of the blade serrated that is nearest the handle, which is exactly the part of the blade that you have the most control over for detailed work.
 
Back in my youth, and early adulthood, I thought combo edges were awesome. I came to find that it was not the best of both worlds, but the opposite in fact. If you truly need serrations, it is better to buy a fully serrated knife. Generally speaking, a plain edge will do everything you need done, except maybe sawing. In that case, a saw is a better bet. Right tool for the right job.
 
I would think a gentleman's knife should be plain edged, it will be more gentlemanly over a combo edge. Most non knife people think a combo edge or tanto blade is aggressive. A combo edge is mostly associated with work and not a gentleman's knife.
 
Ajack60 said:
I would think a gentleman's knife should be plain edged, it will be more gentlemanly over a combo edge. Most non knife people think a combo edge or tanto blade is aggressive. A combo edge is mostly associated with work and not a gentleman's knife.
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This.
I like a combo blade for the right purpose but that is usually cutting rope, cloth, plastics etc. Stuff which isn't particularly gentlemanly :
 
Ajack60 said:
I would think a gentleman's knife should be plain edged, it will be more gentlemanly over a combo edge. Most non knife people think a combo edge or tanto blade is aggressive. A combo edge is mostly associated with work and not a gentleman's knife.
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agreed
 
i like everything about a serrated knife except for two things. 1.) sharpening it. 2.)when it's not a full serrated edge. don't care for combos much

i vote plain edge. up to you though.
 
One test is worth a thousand expert opinions- Wernher von Braun

Don't take my word for it, try these tests for yourself and see.
Cut through a 1/2" rope with a sharp plain blade and a serrated blade. You'll see the plain cuts better.
Cut through some green wood and some dry wood with a sharp plain blade and a serrated blade. You'll see the plain cuts better.
Cut through some plastic bands use for shipping with a sharp plain blade and a serrated blade. You'll see the serrated cuts better.

Decide what you intend to cut with the blade and go from there.
 
I do not own a single combo edge or serrated blade. I have owned a couple in the past but it's basically impossible to sharpen the serrations yourself unless you are a professional and they're nowhere near as versatile as a plain edge. I do not doubt that there are certain applications where a serrated edge would provide an advantage but I've never encountered one and if you're torn then you've likely not encountered one. For me, combo edge or serrations are a deal breaker.
 
Spyder59 said:
So what are your thoughts for my up coming purchase of a gentleman's edc flipper, plain versus combo blade. I've decided on every other aspect of the knife.
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Both are nice and I have both - but 90% of my collection are plain blades, so you can say I prefer plain :)
 
I've had a couple half-serrated blades, I never liked them much as the part closest to the handle is where I do most of my detail work (thus I prefer straight edge there) and the tip is what I use for most of the cutting tasks where a serrated edge would come in handier. Also, I like to sharpen my own knives now, so serrated is just a lot of work for not much. I do see where a full-serrated blade has it's purposes, but I think it should be full-on or full-off, the half/half just doesn't do it for me.
 
Poorly designed serrations are hard to sharpen and may offer little benefit, but well made serrations are simple to sharpen and cut many things way faster than a plain edge ever could.

My serrated, micarta inlaid, Sebenza 21 is my favorite cutter. Chris Reeve's unique serrations are staggered, alternately, into either side of the knife and it cuts like a chainsaw. The flats between the teeth are the same as the edge bevels so it sharpens on any flat stone the same as the rest of the edge.

Emerson's serrations sharpen easily as well, and the combination of a pair of small teeth between the longer ones cuts very well.

I prefer a combo-edge, not a fully serrated blade. The tip-half of the blade is where I do 99% of my slicing and other work where a plain edge excels. I don't do much carving, so most of the time when I am using the base of the blade it's cutting something tough and the serrations are a great benefit.

So long as the serrations are designed properly, they can be very useful and easy to maintain. I wonder how many people, who denigrate serrations, have ever used good serrations?
 
Definitely a personal choice and what will dominate the use. My dpx t3 serrations are perfect for everything even carving a bit since the are level with main edge bevel. ZT and kershaw serrations I like too cause they rip rite thru stuff but they're a.pain to sharpen and I won't even mess with em. I love the veff serrations for those friggin clam packs. Rite thru em. Emerson's work well too. As far as sharpening most can be done with a rat tail diamond stick from DMT. I mostly use a.worksharp since all u do is grind the backside of serrations and whammy good to go. Since I usually carry 3 knives one has serrations. Happy hunting hope you enjoy whatever you get.
 
johnsonrd said:
One test is worth a thousand expert opinions- Wernher von Braun

Don't take my word for it, try these tests for yourself and see.
Cut through a 1/2" rope with a sharp plain blade and a serrated blade. You'll see the plain cuts better.
Cut through some green wood and some dry wood with a sharp plain blade and a serrated blade. You'll see the plain cuts better.
Cut through some plastic bands use for shipping with a sharp plain blade and a serrated blade. You'll see the serrated cuts better.

Decide what you intend to cut with the blade and go from there.
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About right in my experience. I notice though you can cheat on the plastic banding with some knives. I noticed that I tend to use the sharpening "nick/choil thingy" on my sak electrician to give me the initial pop through the banding much like a single serration. Then the straight edge slices the rest of the way.
 
My first modern knives had combo edges. I thought they were great, the best of both worlds. But carrying them for many years I realized that I never used the serrated part to cut anything. I decided that if I always use the plain edge I shouldn't sacrifice part of the plain edge for the possibility of using the serrated part. I also wondered if there was enough length in the short length of serrations to actually be functional.

I've never proven to myself that serrations have any value to a person that otherwise would be carrying a sharp plain edge blade. I bought a used SE Endura to use for testing. It was very dull so the first step was to sharpen it, which has proven to be very difficult. If I ever get it sharp I will devise some tests for comparing SE with plain edge.
 
Only about 2% of my knives have partially serrated blades. I bought a Buck Vantage Avid that I thought was a plain edge (it was closed in a clam pack) but decided to keep it and it's been working out pretty good as an Edc. My old Sog Seal Pup is still working good after quite a few years and the serrations have come in handy for cutting cordage numerous times.
 
I do not mind serration being made on knife-but under certain conditions only....Serrations must be actually usefull and functional to substitute saw or to be able to cut through....And must only be made on the spine-close to handle-leaving fronntal spine for battoning..... (talking fixed blade)..... I do not like any "fancy" serrations of no or little use at all,,(often the case with so called "tactical" knifes),,,,,also this being made on parts of main edge-(reducing overal capability of knife to minimum use) and similar nonsense "tacticlol" variations for local Rambo guys and Mall Ninjas...Steel must also be made to very high standards in order to made any serrations effective.....
 
Wavester said:
Both are nice and I have both - but 90% of my collection are plain blades, so you can say I prefer plain :)
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I agree, but I've decided to get the CRKT Blue Ripple. I can only find the 3.16 Stainless Handle in Combo Blade. I've ordered it, and I will let you know how I like it.
 
The only type of knife that I like serrations is an emergency type, rescue knife where finesse is not an issue
 
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