The SPYDER-EDGE: Getting a bum rap?

[JD Spydo]

Here just recently on this Forum there have been a lot of threads arise on the subject of the SPYDER-EDGE. Serrated Spyderco Knives that is :cool:

What a lot of the new folks and newer knife fans here in Spyderville don't realize is that the SPYDER-EDGE is truly one of the biggest propelling market forces that really put Spyderco on the map in the first place. And for good reason because they have taken the Serrated Edge to a much higher level than any other knife company ever did.

Spyderco also really refined the serrated edge to where you can efficiently sharpen it and properly maintain it and they also made tools specifically for that sharpening job. In the serrated blade sector of the market Spyderco truly stands alone in many advances and vast improvements.

Why is it that many knife aficionados can't realize this? And why is it that they can't appreciate this as well? And why are there so many fans of other Spyderco knives that just seem to have either a negative or condescending view of the SPYDER-EDGE?

[choubbi]

I just cut myself with my SE Tasman salt a few minutes ago, so of course the spyderedge rocks, but I still prefer a plain edge for general cutting tasks.
My point of view is neither negative or condescending, but my uses for a knife rarely require a serrated edge, and often require a plain edge.
Different tools for different needs, I still carry my SE Tasman in my EDC bag all year long, but I have yet to really need it.

[DWRW]

Sorry JD... I can't help you.

I am glad you like the SE and that Spyderco provides it for you and others who want it.

But, I HANDS DOWN prefer a plain edge - always. I can see the "potential" value of serrations in "Some" cases. But, for my uses, for all-around versatility and for the types of knives I am going to carry, I prefer plain edge. I don't expect my views on edge type to change.

And regardless the number of special tools that have been made available for sharpening serrations, I don't view the use of these tools as either better or nearly as efficient as my preferred methods.

I hope for your benefit and others who like the SE, Spyderco is able to offer that to you on any and all blades you want it on.

But, conversely, for my benefit, I hope any and all knives I want are available in plain edge.

.

[Tank]

I have always preferred the Spyderedge.. I do like PE but SE has always been my first choice. As JD said it was the SE and the pocket clip that first let me to Spyderco.

[JD Spydo]

Sorry JD... I can't help you.

I am glad you like the SE and that Spyderco provides it for you and others who want it.

But, I HANDS DOWN prefer a plain edge - always. I can see the "potential" value of serrations in "Some" cases. But, for my uses, for all-around versatility and for the types of knives I am going to carry, I prefer plain edge. I don't expect my views on edge type to change.

And regardless the number of special tools that have been made available for sharpening serrations, I don't view the use of these tools as either better or nearly as efficient as my preferred methods.

I hope for your benefit and others who like the SE, Spyderco is able to offer that to you on any and all blades you want it on.


.

Hold on just a second there DWRW :) I'm not at all trying to disuade anyone's actual personal preference of cutting tools. I like my plain edged Spyders just as well as you do Sir

The point that I am trying to get across to all here in Spyderville is the fact that Spyderco took serrations to a whole new level. They also improved on the serrated edge profoundly and made them much more functional on a practical level. They improved them in every category from martial arts to fishing/hunting all the way to the culinary field of cutlery.

I just want all knife users to realize that Spyderco has the best serrated blades on the market period. And If you hard core PE fans ever would want a serrated blade for any particular reason I just want everyone to realize that Spyderco's are the best and really don't have a close second competitor IMO. Just a little respect and appreciation>> that's all and maybe someday you'll give them a try. JD :spyder: O

[MountainManJim]

A knife is simply a tool. One thing I love about Sypderco knives is that they are specifically design to excel at a particular task. The SE is a great example of this. It excels in areas were the PE gets bogged down or isn’t efficient.

I believe that the SE is more specialized than the PE. There are tasks that the SE is not well suited for. Where as the PE many not be the most idea tool for the tasks where the SE excels, it always works.

I am also adamant that the PE can be sharpened to finer edge than the SE. Not that it matters much because with the Sharpmaker the SE can be sharpened to a level that is as good as anyone would really need.

I think it comes down to what you typically use your knife for. For me, I usually have both. I am learning to appreciate the SE more and more. I am sometimes with out a SE, which is fine. But, the time that I have been without the PE, it was sorely missed .

Jim

[DWRW]

Hold on just a second there DWRW :) I'm not at all trying to disuade anyone's actual personal preference of cutting tools. I like my plain edged Spyders just as well as you do Sir

The point that I am trying to get across to all here in Spyderville is the fact that Spyderco took serrations to a whole new level. They also improved on the serrated edge profoundly and made them much more functional on a practical level. They improved them in every category from martial arts to fishing/hunting all the way to the culinary field of cutlery.

I just want all knife users to realize that Spyderco has the best serrated blades on the market period. And If you hard core PE fans ever would want a serrated blade for any particular reason I just want everyone to realize that Spyderco's are the best and really don't have a close second competitor IMO. Just a little respect and appreciation>> that's all and maybe someday you'll give them a try. JD :spyder: O

Sorry if I was confused. I assumed you were holding the SE over PE for use and function - to which I disagree.

If you are just giving accolades to Spyderco for providing the best serrated edges on the market, I honestly can't comment and will give you the benefit of doubt.

I have used and carried some partially serrated blades. And while I did find the serrations beneficial in some cases. In many cases, I found them to just be in my way.


Sorry for the mis-understanding... carry on.

.

[Fuse]

I just recently bought my first SE ( Tenacious ) and I really like it. I still prefer PE but I can definitely see why some people love serrations. I personally don''t care for combo-edged knives. It just seems to break up the flow and graceful lines of a blade to me.

[The Deacon]

I can only speak for myself JD.

For one thing, I dislike the look of a serrated edge. If I wanted to carry a saw, I'd carry a saw and be done with it. If I wanted to collect saws and display them, I'd collect saws, not knives.

For another, at least for knives I intend to use, I prefer blades that are ease for me to sharpen. Tried a Sharpmaker, could not get the hang of it. It's tucked away in a box somewhere. I've been sharpening with flat stones for over 55 years. Pretty much have it down to a science, and am past the point where learning new things is eas or fun, so I tend to stick with blades that can be sharpened by them. That means plain edges and straight or convex curved blades.

Finally, and in reality most importantly, I do almost no cutting where a serrated blade has a performance edge over a plain edge, some where either serrated or plain would work equally well, some where serrated would not work quite as well as plain, and one thing fairly regularly where serrated would be cause bleeding. So there's no reason for me not carry a knife I find to be both more esthetically pleasing and easier to maintain.

[Jarhead90]

I have both PE & SE blades. Both my edc blades (Spyderco/Cold Steel) are
SE. Its nice to have a blade that will cut through just about anything if needed.

[JD Spydo]

Again I'm not trying to veer anyone off their intended course. I'm not trying to persuade or disuade anyone who is already a "die-hard" PE fan. I'm just making the case that Spyderco has the very best serrated blades in the entire cutlery market. I'm also making the case that a lot of people have never given Spyderco's Spyder-Edged knives a fair trial. A lot due to a lot of unfounded trash talk about the Spyder-Edge.

Some of you seem to think that I am diss-ing you die-hard PE Fans. Not hardly the case at all. I'm just trying to let those who are either new to the Spyderco Forum or new to premium cutlery products as we have already been priviledged for a while to know what Spyderco's product line is all about. Because the Spyder-Edge is truly one of their grandest hallmark products and I think it's cool to give them recognition and let the newer blade fans know about a great quality product that has been passed on by many who are just simply not aware of it's great cutting ability in a wide range of cutting chores.

But I stand firm on my title because I truly believe that a lot of people pass up on Spyder-Edged knives not knowing their true cutting abilities. All in all I really wanted to use this thread to make a lot of the newer blade fans aware of the Spyder-Edge and the misconceptions that have unfairly surrounded them. And please guys & gals>> no offense intended for those of you who just don't like them for what ever reason.

[MountainManJim]

JD Spydo,

OK, I think I got it :)

I believe many people are simply adverse to serrated blades. I didn’t know that some people didn’t like the Spyderco SE verse someone else’s. Is that true? Is another manuf. known for making better SE blades? Or, even known for bringing the SE to the pocket knife market?

Also, please explain, if you can, what differentiates the Spyderco SE from others. I always wondered if the two smaller scallops were just a trademark or if they lend some improved performance.

Note: I like both SE and PE. I see them more as flavors.

Jim

[JD Spydo]

JD Spydo,

OK, I think I got it :)

I believe many people are simply adverse to serrated blades. I didn’t know that some people didn’t like the Spyderco SE verse someone else’s. Is that true? Is another manuf. known for making better SE blades? Or, even known for bringing the SE to the pocket knife market?

Also, please explain, if you can, what differentiates the Spyderco SE from others. I always wondered if the two smaller scallops were just a trademark or if they lend some improved performance.

Note: I like both SE and PE. I see them more as flavors.

Jim

Great questions Jim :) I'm not so sure that it's a case of Spyderco's serrations versus some other well known manufacturer's. I've collected several brands of folders and fixed blades over the years and I've personally never seen any serrations top the ones that Spyderco makes. Now please keep in mind that Spyderco has had many different serration patterns over the years and I would imagine that they probably have patents on some of those patterns.

There is a serration pattern that one of Spyderco's competitors put out a few years back. Benchmade had a wavy type of serration that I thought was a super great rope cutter. I have them on one of my model 640 Boguszewski Spikes and they are super.

Of all the Spyderco blades I have in my collection I know of at least 6 distinct patterns that have certain differences in geometries. There are several knife manufacturers that have serrated blades and partially serrated blades. Spyderco is the only one that I'm aware of that really puts a great deal of quality and workmanship in their serrated blades. They are also the only company that I am aware of that has so many flagship models that they offer in SE & PE both. They are also the only company I'm aware of that has such a huge gamut of serrated blade that cover ever genre from culinary to workhorse to martial arts type blades. They are also the only company I know of that has trademarked brandname i.e. Spyder-Edge. I don't know of any other company that takes so much pride in the quality of their serrated cutlery. Now whether or not the scallops are trademarked you would have to ask Mr. Glesser about that one. If they have them patented then the entire design would be covered.

When it comes to people and their pre-conceived predjudices I can't even begin to tell you why people hate something before they would investigate it or try it out first hand :confused: .

I believe what differentiates Spyderco's Spyder-EDGE from other serrations is the fact that they just seem to perform better overall. I've personally yet to come across any serrated kitchen cutlery that can top Spyderco's. But their serrations on their kitchen cutlery and Catcherman Fillet knives of days past are totally different patterns than that of their hard use pocket knives like the Rescue and other models.

I like both edges and enjoy the best worlds of both. Which is why my C-44 big Dyad is my very favorite EDC blade. And one of the reasons I love Hawkbills so much is that serrated Hawkbills are just super aggressive cutters even for the toughest materials to cut, i.e. leather, rope, vinyl and a wide array of polymers and fibrous materials.

I know that doesn't answer all of your questions but I do feel that it will give you a general idea of why I like them so much. Spyderco's serrated blades are just another great cutting tool that are ideal for many tough cutting chores. Every knife has it's strengths and weaknesses and so do edge types.

[RIOT]

im a big fan of SE but recently learned to also like the CE too, ill never carry a PE though, for some reason when i think of Spyderco i think of SE right along with it

[wescobts]

Sorry JD... I can't help you.

I am glad you like the SE and that Spyderco provides it for you and others who want it.

But, I HANDS DOWN prefer a plain edge - always. I can see the "potential" value of serrations in "Some" cases. But, for my uses, for all-around versatility and for the types of knives I am going to carry, I prefer plain edge. I don't expect my views on edge type to change.

And regardless the number of special tools that have been made available for sharpening serrations, I don't view the use of these tools as either better or nearly as efficient as my preferred methods.

I hope for your benefit and others who like the SE, Spyderco is able to offer that to you on any and all blades you want it on.

But, conversely, for my benefit, I hope any and all knives I want are available in plain edge.

.

+1 what he said

[Michael Cook]

:spyder: Blondes, brunettes, redheads, I love 'em all. Same with the three edge configs, I love 'em all. :spyder:

[DMgangl]

Im with you JD. I have had many conversations with people that don't like a serrrated edge. I had one coworker even state that SE were only good for cutting bread. Many people argue that a PE can cut just as good as a SE for most things. Yes it can cut just as good but why not have the best tool for the job. I personally carry both. I carry a SE hawkbill and a PL ladybug or small knife as backup.


DMgangl

[DWRW]

I had one coworker even state that SE were only good for cutting bread.

I happen to like serrations for bread. :rolleyes:

[JD Spydo]

Im with you JD. I have had many conversations with people that don't like a serrrated edge. I had one coworker even state that SE were only good for cutting bread. Many people argue that a PE can cut just as good as a SE for most things. Yes it can cut just as good but why not have the best tool for the job. I personally carry both. I carry a SE hawkbill and a PL ladybug or small knife as backup.


DMgangl

Hey "DMgang" what I find sort of strange is that I have encountered many people who have not even ever used one of Spyderco's serrated blades that say they hate them :confused: . I will admit that when I first encountered my first SE Spyderco blade back in 1995 I was unsure what I would use it for. My first SE Spyderco I got then was a GIN-1, stainless handled Mariner. I had that knife for years and it turned out to be a great second folder I always took on deer hunting trips. The blade on that Mariner was big enough to do some serious food preparation which really came in handy because few of the guys at the deer camp ever even thought about an SE blade for food prep.

Another great blade that surprised me how good it is for food preparation is my Spyderco FB-05 fixed blade, SE, Temperance. I had the plain edged Temperance long before I got my first SE version of the blade and I was just astounded at how good that blade is for food prep and many other cutting chores. Both the PE & SE Temperance are great for deer processing.

I have no problem with knife fans who just don't like SE blades. We all have our own preferences for everything in life. But it truly does baffle me why people hate serrated blades that never even used one :confused: I use my PE blade over 50% of the time. But when I want or need an SE blade I'm darn glad to have one to use

[Agent Starling]

Of all the Spyderco blades I have in my collection I know of at least 6 distinct patterns that have certain differences in geometries.

I've read something to that effect on this forum before; could you elaborate? :)

They are also the only company I know of that has trademarked brandname i.e. Spyder-Edge.

:spyder: My impression is that the Spyder-Edge is a proprietary design whose advantage is an increased surface area for cutting. :spyder:

And one of the reasons I love Hawkbills so much is that serrated Hawkbills are just super aggressive cutters even for the toughest materials to cut, i.e. leather, rope, vinyl and a wide array of polymers and fibrous materials.

+1!! :spyder:

Agent Starling :D