Anyway, it was this paragraph in the edge-u-cation that made me return the PE version and buy the SE version:
All of that seemed logical to me at the time. I respected how much detail and explanation Spyderco put into all this, and the idea of "infinite cutting surfaces" sounded really cool.What is a SpyderEdge?
Why does Spyderco manufacture SpyderEdge (serrated) blades?
Because serrations improve cutting ability. The tips of the serrations provide single point penetration at the same time the center of effort rotates around each serration for an infinite number of cutting angles, increasing the cutting edge length by up to 24% (Diagram B). A serration is a sharpened recessed curve along the edge of the blade and has more linear cutting surface than a straight edge in the same space (Diagram A). And, serrations improve edge retention because the tips initiate the cut easing the amount of force required by the recessed edges. The points actually protect the sharp inside curves that continue the cut, thus the curves have less wear over time. Our signature SpyderEdge, also referred to as a two-step serration incorporates a repeated pattern of one large and two small serrations (Diagram B).
There have been many variations of serrated edges produced over the years. Even a properly sharpened plain edge will exhibit vertical scratch patterns with "micro-serrations" that enable the edge to cut efficiently (Diagram C). Overall, the SpyderEdge provides the most efficient cutting performance in a serrated edge. We recommend it for all your aggressive jobs such as cutting rope, seat belts, cardboard, rubber hose and leather. With proper cutting technique, the SpyderEdge can function equally well for fine-skilled tasks such as skinning, cutting paper and slicing. The SpyderEdge is easily maintained with our Tri-Angle Sharpmaker or ProFile sets.
So I got the SE version, and carried it for a few years religiously, but never sharpened the serrations. I had bought a Smith's sharpening setup (very sub par) and was able to maintain the 3/4 inch of plain edge, which was enough PE for me to be happy since I could do detailed slicing with just the tip. However, even though the Smith's kit had a triangle type stone for sharpening serrations, it never did put an edge on those teeth that came anywhere near as sharp as I could put on a PE knife, and so I eventually put the Native away and stopped using it altogether.
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Fast forward 8 years later, and I've successfully brainwashed myself into believing SE are for sailors or people who cut rope for a living. Admittedly, it was my inability to sharpen serrations, and conversely my greater ability to sharpen PE that have pushed me away from SE use. My strict moral code against leaving a good tool unused has pushed me to 1) figure out how to sharpen those **** serrations, and 2) really put forth a solid effort to see if they really benefit me in my EDC enough to bother with them.
What I've found has basically contradicted a lot of what I have said over the years. The common argument I've made is "although serrations do excel at cutting things like rope, the vast majority of things can be cut just fine by a sharp PE" or "I've never found myself wishing I had serrations, but I can think of a few cases where if I all I had were serrations I would wish I had a PE". In reality, I've been cutting apples and such just fine with this knife. The only thing I can say is maybe a better blade design/grind would perform even better, something like a SE Stretch for example with a thinner FFG blade so the thickness behind the edge is far thinner. I'm suddenly wondering how something like the Chaparral would perform with that 2mm blade with full SE. I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm a fully converted person, but I can honestly say I could probably have my primary EDC blade a full SE and be completely content, and then have my backup/keychain knife a PE for the times when I absolutely had to have a smoother slicing blade and I wouldn't feel like I was at a loss. I really think a lot of the loss in popularity stems from peoples' laziness and inability/unwillingness to learn to sharpen serrations, and that if they can cross that bridge and experience a SE that can push cut phone book paper, they would gain a greater appreciation for the use of SE.
In the end, I still don't feel that carrying only PE leaves you at a loss, but I do think there is a good amount to be gained from carrying SE. If nothing else I might be seriously looking into finding some older full SE models that you can't find anymore and using them as my primary EDC, and then leaving my Ladybug as my PE backup.
