Serrated Edge versus Plain Edge

Aedrick · #1

Hello, just bought a Spyderco for the first time and totally fell in love with it. It seems like I got the ' :spyder: ' now, lol. Just ordered Caly3, Persian and Centofante...

But, I got to wonder, which edge do people prefer and why? I've always liked the plain edge because I can peel apples with it.. can combe or serrated edge also peel fruits? I've always worried about the serrated edge ripping things rather than making clean cuts. I've heard that the serrated edge does hold its edge much longer than the plain edge, so I am tempted to get some in the serrated edge versions. Anyway, any inputs will be deeply appreciated. Thanks!

CanisMajor · #2

Hello, and welcome to the forums. Serrated definitely holds it's edge much longer than plain edge. Never peeled fruit with serrated knife so I dont know how that would work. I personally prefer plain edge blades, I can get fine, thin cuts especially with a FFG blade. It really depends on what you would use it for, and it definitely doesn't hurt to add Spyderedge knives to a collection. Just my $0.02.

bh49 · #3

Aedrick,
Welcome to the Forum,
I prefer plain edge. All my EDCs are PE. I used to EDC SE Delica and found that for all my needs (open mail, brake down boxes, cut some branches, cut lunch) PE works better. I beleive that PE is more universal. SE excels in cutting fibrous materials and objects with soft core and hard crust. Still PE can be easy sharpen to toothy edge (especially S30V is good for this).

D-Roc · #4

bh49 wrote:Aedrick,
Welcome to the Forum,
I prefer plain edge. All my EDCs are PE. I used to EDC SE Delica and found that for all my needs (open mail, brake down boxes, cut some branches, cut lunch) PE works better. I beleive that PE is more universal. SE excels in cutting fibrous materials and objects with soft core and hard crust. Still PE can be easy sharpen to toothy edge (especially S30V is good for this).

Yep. You can get yourself a coarse diamond stone and bring your PE to micro serrated cutting performance...
Careful, though as it will remove more material- and quicker.

yowzer · #5

I like plain edge most of the time... hawkbills, though, just seem to go together with serrated edges like bread and butter.

Seanski · #6

I enjoy both. Plain edge I carry around at home. At work though I usually carry serrated. I need my edges sharp so I opt for serrations. When they do finally dull I can always start sawing.

Deadeye008 · #7

I have 3 spydies in SE and as long as they are kept sharp they are very smooth slicers. Even on fruit.

Tank · #8

I always carry both PE and SE, I mostly prefer SE (with exception to my Adventura which is my favorite) But as long as you keep the SE sharp it can peel fruit very easily. It can do pretty much any task, the only thing I dont like to do is whittle with it.

The Deacon · #9

I prefer plain edge blades. They are easier to maintain, especially with the flat stones I've been sharpening with for over 50 years. They work better for some of the tasks I normally perform with a knife, equally well for most others, and are only a disadvantage for things I rarely ever do. They look more pleasing to my eye, and less intimidating to anyone observing my use of the knife. And, finally, because old habits are hard to break and I developed one years ago of cutting many fruits and veggies by placing them between the blade and my thumb and pressing them. Doing that with a serrated blade guarantees puncture wounds, can't remember the last time I nicked my thumb doing it with a plain edged blade.

clovisc · #10

if well maintained, a serrated edge will perform most PE tasks extremely well, without "ripping through things." it will hold its edge longer, and bite through extremely tough materials with surprising ease. downside is sharpening, as mentioned... although, it's not nearly so bad as one might think... goes very quickly with practice. a PE blade is better suited to some tasks... but not as many as someone unfamiliar with SE might assume. spyderco's serrations are the best out there. get some. they're great. i recommend carrying SE and PE.

Lord vader · #11

There was a time i would not use anything but PE but since i started using SE i`m finding there`s not much that SE can`t do, i can even slice thru paper with it just as well as a PE blade and many other tasks i thought were only well suited for PE.I`m slowly being converted over to the SE side.

STi · #12

PE for me...Never cared for SE.

Pneumothorax · #13

I prefer PE, but can see a place for SE and am starting to add some SE. Overall, though ease of maintenance of PE and clean slicing is what I prefer. Plus, if you keep collecting Spydies, different blade styles gives you additional excuses to keep buying :D .

Deadeye008 · #14

If anyone thinks that SE is harder to maintain than PE I would suggest getting a Sharpmaker. I can touch up a SE blade in about 2 minutes on my Sharpmaker.

Pneumothorax · #15

Deadeye008 wrote:If anyone thinks that SE is harder to maintain than PE I would suggest getting a Sharpmaker. I can touch up a SE blade in about 2 minutes on my Sharpmaker.

This is true, I guess I was referring more to when I dont have my sharpmaker with me like when camping or fishing. I have a small stone in my backpack for PE touchups. But you make me think that I need to get travel sharpmaker capability for this. anyone have experieince with the travel profile set?

spydutch · #16

Full SpyderEdge all the way :cool:

- stays usable sharp longer
- cuts faster
- touches up faster (only step 1 on the sharpmaker)
- looks way better (to me that is :p )
- it's what Spyderco is all about IMO

MountainManJim · #17

Here's some stuff compliled about PE vs. SE: http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36303

Jim

tenman · #18

I prefer PE, can tolerate combo edges if the blade is in the 4" range. Don't have a full SE, though I'd like to get one. Just picked up a Tasman in PE, it seems to buck the trend in that more people prefer seem to prefer it in the SE version.

Blerv · #19

I'm a PE fan but work more in an office than outdoors. That said, check out this crazy-good article on a test between PE and SE Spydies! :eek:

http://www.cutleryscience.com/reviews/delica_se.html

Carrying both guarantees epic winning.

vampyrewolf · #20

If you sharpen and polish your serrated edge till it shaves, it'll outperform a plain edge in most tasks and stay sharper longer.

If you sharpen your plain edge well you can do 90% of what a serrated edge can do (still can't take off a tree limb or pull through as much material with plain edge without going bigger).

I prefer plain edge for most of my tasks. I sharpen the main bevel to 30deg, polish the **** out of it, and then add micro-serrations at 40deg to the cutting surface (just the VERY edge). It doesn't shave well, and doesn't feel sharp, but don't put your fingers in the way :eek: :p

Was taking down 1.5-2" limbs a few weeks ago camping with my sister's crew, with my 5.5" beast. Swing 3-4 times and it's off. 1/4" O-1 with a 30deg polished edge, no micro-serrations.