What's wrong with a combo blade?

Nothing wrong of course, but speaking as a collector (which i know your talking about using) the plain edge is cleaner looking, they sell faster and some times for more because of that. I only collect plain edges myself and the same goes the ones i use.

If your a LEO a combo might just be what your looking for to cut someone out on a seatbelt etc..

James
 
Just to be different, has anyone tried the Russian military blades -- with the serrations trailing 1/3 of the way back from the blade TIP? I've seen them, but haven't had a chance to use one (yet). Any experiences with this type of blade?
MtMike
 
Thank you very much for all the input. this is a great forum! I have the bug, so I may have to just get a few of each. maybe a serrated delica and a PE Endura? :) :)
 
Could someone explain to me how exactly a comboedge is crippled?

The serrated part is too short? So like if I am using the serrated part, and it slips onto the plain part (ran out of serrations) so what? It still cuts, right? At least I had that first bit of serrations to start the cut. Cutting is cutting.

If I am using plain edge, and I slip onto the serrations, what happens? Does it suddenly stop cutting? No.

Have you ever tried cutting with a combo edge and said" Damn, I can't cut this. I ran outta plain and serrated just won't cut this stuff."

What do you mean not enough serrations or plain? For what? If you only carry plain, you have no serrations. If serrated no plain.

Sorry guys, I don't see it.
 
Lets say you're cutting webbing. You start with the serrated, cutting well, and end on the plain, cutting poorly. A fully serrated blade would have finished the cut. Crippled.

You're attempting a push cut where you want a clean resulting edge. As the blade is short, you wander into the serrations. At the transition the cut is no longer clean, nor do the serrations make a clean cut if you continue to wander. Crippled.

Using just one section of the blade for optimal cutting of whatever style is more difficult because of the design. Crippled.

Fine cutting is often done at the base of the knife edge for extreme control. Serrations mess that up unless you choke up on the sharp serrated "ricasso". Dangerous design. Crippled.

Sure, it can work OK for many other examples, but each of those examples would work just as well with a fully serrated or fully plain knife, depending on the situation. Serrations have their uses. Plains have their uses. Combos do too, but are more limited over all; crippled.

Phil
 
Might have all been said, but maybe not this way...

I rarely cut anything except lotsa rubber/vinyl hose, packing tape/some cardboard, and tie wraps. I work OFTEN up near the handle. Serrations up there just cause me grief.

I only have one 50-50 left, my Gerber AF Covert. Astute readers will know I've asked about getting a plain blade made/installed.

Need I say more?
 
I found 3/2 plain 1/3 serrated combo 4" blade very functional. Serrations are good enough to saw through some stuff when you need it, plain edge piece is long enough for most cutting/slicing chores. Serrations that are not too tiny can be sharpened too.

Now bare in mind, you need a tool to do a specialized job - use the right tool. There is no such thing as a universal blade that is best for everything. Even the style of the blade (drop point, spear point, bowie, etc.) has its purpose...
 
I found 3/2 plain 1/3 serrated combo 4" blade very functional. Serrations are good enough to saw through some stuff when you need it, plain edge piece is long enough for most cutting/slicing chores. Serrations that are not too tiny can be sharpened too.

Now bare in mind, you need a tool to do a specialized job - use the right tool. There is no such thing as a universal blade that is best for everything. Even the style of the blade (drop point, spear point, bowie, etc.) has its purpose...
 
So, it depends on your personal use. I can't agree with anyone saying comboedge is inherently bad. Perhaps you just need to look at your daily use and decide for yourself. I have had good luck with combo blades and will continue to buy them. Do you know SOG makes combo edge exclusively on some of it's folders? People like it. At least people who have not spent the whole day reading internet forums. It is amazing how many people were doing just fine with a Buck or Schrade, then upon finding the net, suddenly nothing less than a Sebenza is going to cut...

Sorry Folks. That is just goofy. Stick a fork in me.
 
Magician,if you read the threads like,"what you'd cut today" and "what do you use your edc for",you will find most of the replies say things like trimming threads,opening mail and cutting fruit.

The "right tools" for theses tasks are ofcourse,a scissors,letter opener,and fruit knife. Not sure if these come in combo edges though;)

Or could it be the right tool is the one you like and have with you?
 
I like to have serration on a knife
sometimes but I use them very infrequently.
I've had to cut rope maybe once in the last
10 years. Some people say they like them
for cutting boxes (which I to a lot).
They do that well but, I find it much
more satisfying to pull
a sharp plain edge through cardboard
and have it feel like butter, instead of
sawing through leaving a rough edge and
little pieces of paper all over the table
and floor. The only disadvantage is you
have to sharpen often.

To me the perfect combo would be a 3 3/4"
blade with 67%plain and 33%serrated. Just
enough serration to get the rough stuff
started. I also like the less aggressive
style (less tooth more scallop).
I still will carry a plain edge 80% of
the time thou.

-Rebus
 
I cut alot of branches, so I need serrations. Plain edge is just not up to par when cutting branches. I reccomend a fully serrated Endura and a Plain Edge Delica. Carry the Delica daily and use the Endura when you need to saw.
This is basically what I do (I carry a small Sebenza in place of the Delica), and it works for me:)
I feel that an EDC plainedge blade does not really have to be above 3in., but with a serrated blade the longer the better!
 
Magician: At times I find myself trying to make a clean cut, and if I brough the serrations into the cut, it could mess things up.
Sure many times it doesn't really matter whether you're cutting using the serration or the plain edge, but because of that and the fact that most of the time that I don't really need using serrations, I choose plain edge so much more.
 
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