What is it with plain edges?

T. Erdelyi said:
Actually serration lengthen the cutting area, each serration effectively adds a little more surface.

Draw a straight line and directly underneath draw a line like a serrated edge, if we're to straighten out the serrated line it would probably be 15-20% longer.
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That's very misleading, even though the actual edge length is longer, it doesn't cut like it's just a longer plain edge.
 
I find that a straight edge slices cheese very well, among other things. I reserve my combo edge blades for slicing sheeple.
 
Yo Mama said:
combo edge doesn't do much for serration or plain edge, the only one that does work for me is the Victorinox Trekker.

I definately prefer plain edge. If I need to saw, I'll use a saw. Doesn't have to be big either, I'm comfortable with the Leatherman saws.

If you're into serrated edges, check out Spyderco's Spydie-edge.
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Agreed, most combo edges have the serrations at the wrong end for just about every use. Also power cuts need to start with an initial slide, so a power cut which starts on a serration will need more force to get going. I prefer plain edge because I like to sharpen myself. It also helps contribute to better knife care because testing the edge and sharpening means you're less likely to put the knife away wet or with bits of gunk attached. An unstropped toothy edge can usually do just as well as a serrated blade for most tasks. The one situation where serrations do work better is continuous cutting of fibrous materials like carpet or nylon rope.
 
T. Erdelyi said:
Actually serration lengthen the cutting area, each serration effectively adds a little more surface.

Draw a straight line and directly underneath draw a line like a serrated edge, if we're to straighten out the serrated line it would probably be 15-20% longer.
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While technically correct, in terms of feel I'd say it depends on the hardness and density of the material you're cutting. A soft material will give serrations an effective longer cutting edge eg. Fruit. A hard resistant material will have the teeth bouncing across the material giving you a, effective shorter cutting edge than the plain equivalent. Eg. Hard Salami. The serrations are also likely to clog with some materials reducing your effective edge further.
 
Same as most: easier to sharpen and nice even cutting. I think they are more useful overall. In addition, if using I public a straight edge is less likely to draw stares
 
I have never had trouble sharpening serrated edges. All you need is the right tools. I can actually sharpen them quicker as you don't need multiple passes, micro bevels, buffing, stropping, etc. If you think it is difficult you are not using the right tools or methods. Same with re-curve blades that many complain are too difficult to sharpen. As far as usability, I can do any thing with a SE that I can do with a PE. Some things are easier, some a little more difficult with either style of blade. Both have their uses and work well at them. To say that one type is better because it's been around longer is just a poor attitude. Just think of all the new ideas that are much better than things that have been used much longer. With that attitude we would be debating the best rocks to use for blades instead of steel. And FYI, the secret to the cutting properties of flint and stone edges were the micro-serrations naturally formed by the working of these materials.
 
Showler said:
Serrations suck to sharpen. Also plain edges are better for slicing which is what a lot of people need their knives to do. Serrations are great for sawing though. So if I'm out cutting fishing line or rope I'll grab a serrated knife. Great to have an option like that sometimes.
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Why do they suck to sharpen? All you need to do is sharpen the backside of the serrated edge.

I think for collection purposes, a plain edge is more desirable due to looks. However when it's a user, I find a partially serrated blade is ideal for me. The serrations stay sharp for a long time. My partially serrated BM Rift is the best folding user I own.
 
Alot of people i know just feel the plain edge knife looks alot better and its easier to sharpen. As a collector i buy all plain edge knive for collection and serrated blade for my work knives.
 
I think a full Spydie spyderedge is great and Easy to sharpen on the corner of a Sharpmaker.

I always carry a big pe folder and a small se in my lr pocket. There isn't much my Caly 3 SE won't cut.
 
I love both configurations and carry both. My favorite folder is partially serrated. I don'thave any fully serrated folders, but I don't need them, since I have a Cold Steel Super Edge on my keychain.
 
northend816 said:
Alot of people i know just feel the plain edge knife looks alot better and its easier to sharpen. As a collector i buy all plain edge knive for collection and serrated blade for my work knives.
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clockman said:
I think a full Spydie spyderedge is great and Easy to sharpen on the corner of a Sharpmaker.

I always carry a big pe folder and a small se in my lr pocket. There isn't much my Caly 3 SE won't cut.
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+1. I do the same for my collectables and I almost always have a SE Matriarch or Endura in my Lr pocket also.
 
lol that gif is funny, alright i think my next ultratech will be a plain edge as i already have the combo D/E. thanks for all your input
 
If you are a sailor, or anyone cutting line, the serrated edge will work better and longer than the plain edge. IMHO.
Tim
 
I'm a plain edge person, on most knives, with that being said serrations have their place and advantages, one place in particular is on really small, knives. My Spyderco Ladybug, that is fully serrated, and feel that it cuts all out of proportion to it's size. Generally speaking though, I like my plain edge knives, plain, and my serrated knives fully serrated. I don't subscribe to combo edges. Really though, aside from some exceptions I just prefer a plain edge.
 
I'm not sure about everbody else, but I don't usually ever need serrations so I don't like to go through the extra hassle to sharpen them. For me it's easier to just get a plain edge. That's just me though; some people use their serrations on a daily basis and it's a little bit of a necessity on their knives. That's not me though.
 
Spyderco without any doubt or argument is truly the king of the serrated edge>> and even with Spyderco collectors most of them highly prefer the plain edge over the serrated edge. However I'm slowly seeing that change to some degree. Because with many of the older Spyderco models I'm starting to see collectors go for a serrated edged model of the more collectible models. I didn't see much of that even 5 years ago. But I've been seeing a lot of it here lately.

Most people do prefer the plain edge because of sharpening issues and that is probably the number 1 reason most people tend to shy away from serrated edges. But most people also don't realize that not all serrated edges are created equal by any means. Spyderco has taken the serrated edge to a much higher level than most production knife companies.

Now for my main EDC I do exclusively use a plain edge but I always have a companion knife with me and most of the time it's a fully serrated edge. I find that serrated Hawkbill blades are excellent for "pull cutting" jobs and for cutting jobs with fibrous materials like rope, cordage, leather and many polymer materials cut better with a high quality serrated edge>> notice I said a HIGH QUALITY SERRATED EDGE. Because there are a lot of junky, cheap serrated edge knives that have a horrible serration pattern that doesn't cut anything with any efficiency.

There are cutting jobs where both edge types excel in certain areas. But overall as far as collectors go at this present time you will get more value overall from a plain edged collector piece. One reason for that is that very few companies have premium models that offer them in both PE & SE. Spyderco is one of the very few that do. The serrated edge is still very misunderstoood and maybe when people give the high quality serrated edges a try things will change at some point. But for now the plain edge is the preferred pick.
 
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