Serrated and Plain Edge Carry

[SpyderEdgeForever]

What do you think of people carrying both a full serrated blade and a plain edge knife, would you?

[twinboysdad]

I have many times and often the SE was and is a Ladybug Hawkbill. The desired result was usually to preserve my PE against cutting stuff I’d rather not- like industrial shrink wrap

[Mr. Shawn]

I usually carry a purple PE FRN Dragonfly and a black SE FRN Cricket, both of which meet my usual EDC cutting needs.

[Wartstein]

I think IF one decides to carry two folders in the first place combining SE with PE is not a bad idea.

I personally prefer good SE over PE in almost every EDC task.
But for things like scraping or cause there are more/better improvised sharpening options an additional PE folder could make some sense.

[vivi]

tried it and felt like it cluttered my pockets more than it helped me get through the day.

There's not many things I cut that require a PE, and there's nothing I cut that requires a SE, so I carry a single PE knife typically.

[Wartstein]

tried it and felt like it cluttered my pockets more than it helped me get through the day.

There's not many things I cut that require a PE, and there's nothing I cut that requires a SE, so I carry a single PE knife typically.

Yes, that´s how I feel in principle too: With what I carry an EDC folder for (and I think I may say that I even use mine in a rather wide variety of tasks) I never felt the need to carry two, regardless of the edge type.

But if for some reason I was "forced" to carry two, I probably would combine a large SE with a small PE folder, and try to keep the combined package rather slim and light (Pac Salt SE and Chaparral PE would perfectly fit the bill in such a scenario)

[RustyIron]

But if for some reason I was "forced" to carry two, I probably would combine a large SE with a small PE folder, and try to keep the combined package rather slim and light (Pac Salt SE and Chaparral PE would perfectly fit the bill in such a scenario)

Like many of us, I've struggled with this issue. When walking around the yard, the SE is superior for hacking off twigs. It's also better for opening packages and plastic bubble packaging. However, the PE is better at the dining table. Last week I needed to do a little scraping, and the PE did a great job. If I had a SE in my pocket, I would have been SOL. At that movement I realized that PE is probably the better choice for me in most situations.

The one thing that is rarely discussed is the combo edge. I'm intruiged, but haven't tried one in decades. Theoretically, it seems like the solution to everyone's concerns.

[Wartstein]

Like many of us, I've struggled with this issue. When walking around the yard, the SE is superior for hacking off twigs. It's also better for opening packages and plastic bubble packaging. However, the PE is better at the dining table. Last week I needed to do a little scraping, and the PE did a great job. If I had a SE in my pocket, I would have been SOL. At that movement I realized that PE is probably the better choice for me in most situations.

The one thing that is rarely discussed is the combo edge. I'm intruiged, but haven't tried one in decades. Theoretically, it seems like the solution to everyone's concerns.

While with pretty much any other task at this point in my "knife journey" I prefer good, shallow SE over PE, scraping is one of the few tasks where PE is better by magnitudes indeed! (Though in some tasks the spine of an SE folder can do the job too, but of course not when it is the kind of scraping that requires a truly sharp actual edge).

Actually, when it comes to typical EDC folders (!! and NOT dedicated kitchen knives!!) I find SE to work better than PE also "at the dining table": Steeper (chisel) grind, and the teeth work amazingly well for cutting things like bread, tomatoes, steak and many more kinds of food. Also, the actual edge in the scallops of SE can´t dull when one is cutting on a plate (while PE sure can).

Comboedge: Yes, my thin line Endura is one of my most carried EDC folder, works great!
I´d really give one of the thin line combo edge models a try, as long as they are available (and often for heavily reduced prices!)

[Evil D]

It sounded good back when I was unsure about serrations, it was kind of like a mental safety net knowing that if SE didn't work out I had PE as a failsafe.

Then I learned more and I realized that for nearly every use I have that plain edge might work better for me, I really only need the wee bit of plain edge that's at the tip of most serrated knives. So I basically do carry both, or you could say a combo edge that favors serrations. I do also have a plain edge multitool blade on me everywhere I go but I don't think I've ever once put away my SE knife and pulled it out instead.

There's really no wrong answer here. Whatever works for you is best for you. It's like trying to tell someone that these boots should be comfortable on you because they're comfortable on me, I like my coffee like this so you should also like it like this.

I think the biggest argument about serrations was always about how hard they are to sharpen and I believe that this has been absolutely irrefutably debunked (at least regarding Spyderco serrations, some other brands are hot garbage and are borderline unsharpenable). With this part of the debate removed, it comes down to which one you like the cutting action of the best. All week I've been packing lunch meat for work and I bought this ridiculous loaf of bread that's so friggin huge I cut the sandwich in half and make 2 out of it, and all week I've been cutting those sandwiches just fine with a SE blade. It just depends on what you cut the most, I'd never say serrations are ideal for making professional sushi or for skinning deer.

[Wartstein]

I personally think this thread would fit well in the main Spyderco general discussion forum...

Perhaps @TazKristi you could consider moving it to there?

[Wartstein]

...
I think the biggest argument about serrations was always about how hard they are to sharpen and I believe that this has been absolutely irrefutably debunked (at least regarding Spyderco serrations, some other brands are hot garbage and are borderline unsharpenable). With this part of the debate removed, it comes down to which one you like the cutting action of the best. All week I've been packing lunch meat for work and I bought this ridiculous loaf of bread that's so friggin huge I cut the sandwich in half and make 2 out of it, and all week I've been cutting those sandwiches just fine with a SE blade. It just depends on what you cut the most, I'd never say serrations are ideal for making professional sushi or for skinning deer.

When it comes to basic food prep with general purpose EDC folders (!!) (not dedicated kitchen knives and professional Chef work!) I do think usually the SE version of a Spydie works better for that then its PE version. Again: Steeper chisel grind, edge protected from impact when cutting on a plate/board, "points" break up a surface before cutting (think bread or tomatoes), SE does not have to be supersharp to still do a decent job (so the folder might have been used already for some hard cutting and still will work if food prepping should occur).

So also in that capacity I am perfectly fine with carrying "just" SE and don´t need to have an additional PE knife on me.

[JSumm]

Guilty! Needed? No. Fun? Yes.