Thoughts on combo edges.

[philthygeezer]

When I've used serrations in the past, it was mainly the serrated part of my Delica biting into dirty rope, ~24" polyurethane fabric ventilation tubing, fire hose and other such things. By experience, most plain edges were absolutely useless for these tasks relative to the SE. The Delica went to work and became a trusted friend I knew would help when I needed help, and I trusted it enough to rescue me if a fire happened.

Which leads me to a conclusion the way that I use serrated edges: I don't think I did a **** of a lot of sawing with it - just pushing the little teeth down to start, and mostly finish the cut. I did saw on the PU vent tubing a bit. The serrations on the Delica were more than up to the task. However, I didn't think much of the PE part of my CE! :D

I also concluded that a full SE Spydie is the absolute best tool to have when you can't afford the possibility of a dull knife. SE easily cuts through things that PE just can't handle, and does it for weeks in harsh environs where a PE would only last a day or two.

So a Question or two: Do you think 3" CE blades would be more useful with just a couple scallops at the base? Seems like you could start a cut with a couple serrations and finish it smoothy with the PE. I think it might be fine to have even less of them on the combo edges - say two big scallops with the little ones between, or one big one with the littles on the point side?

One of the things about CE on 3" blades is that it feels like the fine work is done choked up on the blade, with the plain edge whittling away, like making feather sticks or peeling an apple. Would you feel that serrations would be better out at 65-90%, kind of at the belly of the blade, with a 10% tip for poking?

I have no idea how either of these questions would work in practice. :D

[RIOT]

I think im the only one that actually likes the Combo edge, i think it looks alot better the the plain edge & serrated edge, plus it actually has a serrated & plain edge if needed

[sixheads]

I like the combo edge and would probaly get it on every knife 3 inches or more. I use a Combo edge Byrd Crow at work and it is great the serrated edge cuts pvc and strips wire and cuts big plastic starps and the plain edge cuts paper and stuff.

I Edc plain edges after work and on weekends because i think they are more people friendly.

I used to Carry a Byrd Robin and id say there was 10 to 15 % plain edge at the tip and the rest was serrated it was ok but i perfer the half and half more.

And i totaly agree that in a harsh inviroment over any period of time serrations are the way to go.

Sixheads

[spyderHS08]

combos my favorite! wish my native and para had it. the plain edge is boring so i only have 2 knives like that. but the combo like riot says has both and thats what i like. youve got both there if u need it! :cool:

[MANIXWORLD]

I realy like my combo edge FG D4.does exactly what i want it to.
it would be perfect with just about half an inch of plainedge added onto.

[Tank]

I to like the combo edge but much prefer it on the Endura. Gives a little bit more of each. Full SE is most always my first choice though

[stap2211]

I'm with you in having a fascination with combining the versatility of a plain edge along with the cutting dependability of the spyderedge.

I often carry a large combination blade folder with a full serrated folder back up.

Here are some pics for comparison of various serration grinds ... from the D'Allara's aggressively deep scallops to the Cara Cara CE's smooth-cutting SE to the super-shallow serrations of the Cara Cara Rescue (also found on the Wings SE blade).

I hope these show as pictures instead of just hyperlinks. Well ... guess not according to the preview. Sometimes they show, sometimes just links. I'd like to know how you can insure them being displayed instead of just being linked to.

[nuubee]

I don't have anything with serrations yet. I've always been more attracted to plain edge. Maybe that's because I'm intimidated by the thought of trying to sharpen them, although I've seen the threads in here saying that it's really no big deal on a sharpmaker. Anyway, that's going to change because my 5th Spyderco, a Ti Salsa with a comboedge, is in the mail. I know a lot of you would say that's not really enough blade length to get the full advantage of either flavor, but I decided I wanted to get a Ti Salsa, and I only found 2, and the PE was quite a bit more money, and this is the first time I have even ever spent over $100 on a Spydie (I'm a man of modest means). I'm thinking that this just might be playing to some of my compulsive tendencies, somewhat. I'm telling myself that I can stop at any time, if I really wanted to, you know, I just don't want to yet. I'm also hiding the boxes.
I'm also thinking of trying to pick up a serrated cricket (don't have a cricket yet). Hopefully the short length of the cricket won't freak out too many NKPs with it's wavy, shart teeth, and beak.

[v8r]

I like the combo edge,it seems like you get the best of both worlds.I recently got a endura combo edge and really like it. I have a police se that I picked up used, that i don't feel is as usefull because of the full serrations. If I was rich man and eating steaks at every meal,I would find a full se knife more usefull. :p .

[Slick]

I am sorry but I must go against the trend in this thread. A serrated blade will be out preformed by a propperly sharpened plain edge blade. This is my opinion but plain edge can be left "rough" enough to be more micro toothy than a serated edge. A fine edge blade meets my needs better.

I remember a local Spyderco retailer being dumbfounded when they could not cut a seat belt quicker with a serrated Spyderco. I said duh just think about it. I receivced no argument.

Your mileage may variously vary.

[RazorSharp86]

I have a black combo edged Millie, but i never really found it useful.... Though it does look really cool. :o

[Sherpa]

I'd never thought much of combo edge's or serrated edges until I really had a chance to use it the other day.

I was up in an attic going through some wiring and I did not have my trusty Crossbill G-10 with me. Which by the way is amazing me. Anyhoo I did have a knife with serrations with me and wow did they go through that romex like butter!

I am really opening up to the idea of combo edge's after that!

Just a quick sawing motion in one direction and almost no pressure and ZIP! Right through.

[Muxx]

I used to despise SE and thought that CE was a cop-out. I've come to realize, however that there is a place for serrations. When I travel by car I now take a blade with at least combo edge so I can quickly cut seatbelts in an emergency.

[philthygeezer]

I am sorry but I must go against the trend in this thread. A serrated blade will be out preformed by a propperly sharpened plain edge blade. This is my opinion but plain edge can be left "rough" enough to be more micro toothy than a serated edge. A fine edge blade meets my needs better.

I remember a local Spyderco retailer being dumbfounded when they could not cut a seat belt quicker with a serrated Spyderco. I said duh just think about it. I receivced no argument.

Your mileage may variously vary.

Your argument seems valid, but as per your statement about mileage I feel its success depends on one's ability to make a ragged but sharp edge. Also, I question whether 'micro-serrations' will hold up very long with use.

[feeny]

Mini-Manix CE is really useful - a on of PE and more than enough SE too.
I also have a caly-3 which I think is full SE - BUT - it has the first 1cm or so PE for doing PE things - and its sharp! My black native also has a bit more than a cm PE on its otherwise full SE. Im not sure whether this is classified combo or full SE.
This is more than enough PE for me. I didnt pick myself for an SE guy, but I get more out of SE.