Combo Edges: Like or Hate?

[valenciamanu]

At first I did not like it. He saw the sharpening complicated. But try the Victorinox combo and I love it. I now have 6. I prefer the stretch marks on the tip and smooth on the base.

[valenciamanu]

At first I did not like it. He saw the sharpening complicated. But try the Victorinox combo and I love it. Now I have 6 different manufacturers. I prefer the stretch marks on the tip and smooth on the base.

[JD Spydo]

I also prefer the less snagworthy serration pattern found on the culinary knives. In a different thread I recall Sal stating something to the effect that the Seki serrations perform better after several resharpenings on the Sharpmaker, and that rounding of the points was a key element in this improvement.

That's really interesting because I've noticed for some time now that I can cut food better with wavy/rounded type serrations like the ones you find on Spyderco's K-04, K-05 and the older fully serrated AUS-8 Catcherman. So if that's the case they why not do something wavy and rounded to begin with :confused: ?? Now I do find the spikey type serrations you find especially on the Japan made models to excel at some cutting jobs but most of the time the other patterns seem to be more efficient IMO.

Personally I think it's high time that Spyderco try out some new serration patterns. Because maybe a wavy/rounded type serration would be better on a combo-edge and even make them more desirable.

[harronek]

I have about 15 Delica's of different types , and if you were to tell me I had to get rid of one of them , the first to go would be the combo edge .
Its a complete waste of time for my requirements and the only Delica that I don't like or use .

Ken

[Bill1170]

I also prefer the less snagworthy serration pattern found on the culinary knives. In a different thread I recall Sal stating something to the effect that the Seki serrations perform better after several resharpenings on the Sharpmaker, and that rounding of the points was a key element in this improvement.

That's really interesting because I've noticed for some time now that I can cut food better with wavy/rounded type serrations like the ones you find on Spyderco's K-04, K-05 and the older fully serrated AUS-8 Catcherman. So if that's the case they why not do something wavy and rounded to begin with :confused: ?? Now I do find the spikey type serrations you find especially on the Japan made models to excel at some cutting jobs but most of the time the other patterns seem to be more efficient IMO.

Personally I think it's high time that Spyderco try out some new serration patterns. Because maybe a wavy/rounded type serration would be better on a combo-edge and even make them more desirable.

I think Sal hinted that he was open to considering tweaking the serration geometry. He's already done so on the new kitchen knives; they sport the protective tall tooth that takes the cutting board wear so the other points don't have to. It's a tricky problem optimizing serrations for a 3"-4" bladed folder, since you have so little draw. They want to be aggressive yet not too snaggy. They need to be maintainable, too. Serrated blades are a fascinating engineering challenge.

[Bill1170]

sorry, double tap.

[JD Spydo]

I have about 15 Delica's of different types , and if you were to tell me I had to get rid of one of them , the first to go would be the combo edge .
Its a complete waste of time for my requirements and the only Delica that I don't like or use .

Yeah I said in an earlier post that for a combo edge to do any justice it must be on one of the larger folders. To me a combo edge on a folder as small as the Delica or any other model in that size range is just really not good for me at all.

I'm kind of wondering why they haven't done one of the fixed blades in combo edge? Because most of the fixed blade models have enough blade length to do them justice.

Overall I think that the very best combo edge set up would be to do more double bladed models like the C-44 Dyad>> that way you have the best of both worlds. Having one lengthy plain edged blade and one full Spyderedged blade will just about do any serious cutting job you have.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Good news JD> It looks as if the upcoming Fish Hunter will have full serrated edge. Are you looking forward to it?

[ThePeacent]

Good news JD> It looks as if the upcoming Fish Hunter will have full serrated edge. Are you looking forward to it?

I aaammm.... :rolleyes:

[JD Spydo]

Good news JD> It looks as if the upcoming Fish Hunter will have full serrated edge. Are you looking forward to it?

I guess after dozens of disappointments and dozens of models that should have had Spyderedges I guess I'm to the point to where "I'll Believe It When I Actually See It" :rolleyes: And no disrespect intended to the Great Spyder Factory but I am confused as to why we have less selection of edge types than I ever remember. But if they are truly going to do an outdoor, fishing/hunting model in Spyderedge then all I can say is "Break Out The Champagne" and let's celebrate :D

But we definitely need more fixed blade Spyderedged models for sure.

But back to "Combo Edges" I guess you could count the WARRIOR model as a combo edge of sorts because it did have serrations on the spine. So I guess it's fair to say that they have had one combo edged fixed blade.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

And that reminds me of a related question I had for you regarding Spyder-Edges and Combo-Edges: If Spyderco made a folder (regardless of what steel-type was used) that was a locking blade, and, had a plain edge front, and Spyder-edge back, would you and others like that? Picture in your mind something like an Endura, or Military, that had its main edge plain edge, but, the back spine of the blade, right above the SpyderHole, was serrated, so you could turn the blade over and have a serrated edge. Yes or not a good idea? Similar to the Warrior, but, a folding version. Infact, Spyderco has this, the Pygmy Warrior. Do you like that sort-of design?

[bearfacedkiller]

The Pygmy is not a folder.

It would have to fold up so that the sharpened spine was fully enclosed into the handle to be able to be safely carried. Also, I don't like the idea of cutting in a manner that relies on the lock like you describe when holding a knife upside down and cutting with the spine.

This has sort of been done by other makers though. There are double edged out the front autos that have one plain edge and one serrated edge.

[JD Spydo]

And that reminds me of a related question I had for you regarding Spyder-Edges and Combo-Edges: If Spyderco made a folder (regardless of what steel-type was used) that was a locking blade, and, had a plain edge front, and Spyder-edge back, would you and others like that? Picture in your mind something like an Endura, or Military, that had its main edge plain edge, but, the back spine of the blade, right above the SpyderHole, was serrated, so you could turn the blade over and have a serrated edge. Yes or not a good idea? Similar to the Warrior, but, a folding version. Infact, Spyderco has this, the Pygmy Warrior. Do you like that sort-of design?

To have a full sized Spyderco folder like a Military, Endura or even a K2 for that matter or any full sized folder in the main line up with a serrated edge on the spine????? What the heck!!! I would sure like to test drive something of that ilk :) .

I do think it's a great idea on a fixed blade for sure. So why wouldn't it work well on something like the Military model? Maybe that big Tatanka model would be the right blade to do that with? Actually the more I think about it I do believe that would be the ideal model to do something "out of the ordinary" with.

Yeah that's an interesting concept Spyderedge. That might just be the ultimate "combo-edge" :cool:

[Joris Mo]

Like combo edges best when it's about 65-80% serrated and some plain edge at the tip, so pretty close to a SE.
Still hoping to get my hands on a Military like that someday, for now will have to do with a regular CE.

[JD Spydo]

Like combo edges best when it's about 65-80% serrated and some plain edge at the tip, so pretty close to a SE.
Still hoping to get my hands on a Military like that someday, for now will have to do with a regular CE.

That brings up something that I've yet to put up for discussion. There are two Spyderco models I've had as EDC users over the years that were labeled full Spyderedge but actually neither one of them were 100% Spyderedged at all IMO. One was the SE version of the Titanium ATR and the other is my trusty, hard use, Golden CO USA made NATIVE model. Both models actually have a signifcant amount of plain edge on the end up them to where if you needed a plain edge in a bind then you actually had enough on the tip part of the blade to do PE jobs.

I would say that both of them were about 85% SE. I'm sure there are probably other Spyderco models that fit that description but I can't think of any others off the top of my head. But those two by my definition were not 100% SE but in reality were about 85% SE.

Not sure if that is exactly what you're talking about but I do think that's close to what you're described.

[Still Working]

Well, I think I have found the 2 Spyderco CE blade knives that make sense to keep in my collection. I chose the Endura Foilage Green, and the FRN Stretch. Both in vg10 for stain resistance and ease in sharpening. Of those 2, I think the Stretch is the overall winner. It has a better pocket friendly size, yet gives up very little in blade size. Both have enough of each edge type to be useful, although obviously these are the epitome of compromise.
The stretch has the added benefit of a full flat grind. I think they will probably see limited pocket time, mostly because I have too many others to choose from. There are certain work tasks I actually prefer these for, and sometimes they are handy when doing light hiking when I want limited items along. I added some pics to show how the 2 knives stack up to each other, I hope you enjoy them.

[JD Spydo]

Those are two good examples of an ideal sized Spyderco to be a candidate for a combo edge. With those two models i.e. the Stretch and the Endura both have ample enough blade to accommodate a "combo-edge" whereas models like the Delica, Caly Jr. Dragonfly, Meerkat or anything else in that size range just doesn't do justice for a combo-edge.

Size truly does matter with combo-edges for them to be able to perform right. So now I'm going to focus on the type of serration pattern that would be ideal as well. But to sum up the way I'm feeling about it I actually wish that Spyderco would consider doing more double bladed models like they did with the Dyad models. Where you have one full plain edge and one full Spyderedge blade>>that makes perfect sense to me.

But there is still a place for combo edges but not every folder or fixed blade are suited for them IMO.

[Still Working]

I have been looking at a Dyad too for my collection. Just not a huge fan of the blade shapes, especially the serrated blade. I think you are right, that double bladed models would outperform CE blades, and could be done in a reasonable size, lock strategy, and blade design. Other ergos would be more challenging, perhaps.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Very good examples and ideas, JD and others. One "complaint" a person had to me, about combo edges, though he referred to it as a "design flaw" though I do not personally see it as that, is this: his favorite use for a knife is whittling wood. The claim is that a combo edge "confuses the knife", because instead of smooth cutting strokes, one starts to make a cut, and it gets smooth, and then suddenly the serrated edged portion causes the blade to catch in the wood. My response was: Well, why not use a specialized whittling knife, or wood-carving knife, then?" and his further response was: "Because I want to use my everyday carry knife for whittling." Well, there is the plain-edge for that.

But I broke down some cardboard boxes with both two different Enduras, a Delica Wave, Byrd Cara Cara old and new model, Pacific Salt, Rescue, and a Native with top edge swedge. The two that cut the smoothest, amazingly enough, were the Endura Foliage Green and Pacific Salt; the Foliage Green with Combo-Edge and the Pac. Salt standard serrated.

Infact, the Endura 4 combo edge cut so fast that I almost slipped and almost sliced into my thigh, I should have been a bit more careful, and thank God, I didn't put more pressure behind that edge. That guy is SHARP, man! That combo edge has TEETH! :)

[JD Spydo]

Very good examples and ideas, JD and others. One "complaint" a person had to me, about combo edges, though he referred to it as a "design flaw" though I do not personally see it as that

Infact, the Endura 4 combo edge cut so fast that I almost slipped and almost sliced into my thigh, I should have been a bit more careful, and thank God, I didn't put more pressure behind that edge. That guy is SHARP, man! That combo edge has TEETH! :)

I don't see a combo-edge as a "Design Flaw" at all. It's actually just a specialized design that only benefits a small percentage of knife users IMO. And this thread so far has reflected that from what all I can see by the responses we've seen thus far. But what I'm wondering at this point is how you could tweak and/or modify a combo edge to where it would have more practical use potential.

I will say this however that most people that buy a combo edged folder by and large don't seem to have a lot of experience with EDC folders for the most part. Most people see the serrated part of the combo edge and immediately conclude that it would make a great rope cutter ( which it would) but have not taken into account that the serrated part of the blade might get in the way of most other cutting jobs as many here have stated in so many words.

I still say that a different type of serration pattern could work better than the current spikey type of serration that Spyderco is currently using on their combo edged models.