Combo-edges?

[Benner]

I remember saying last year how I disliked combo-edged knives as I felt that they didn't do either job well.  Well since saying that I have picked up a few combo-edged folders and I am actually really liking them and find them really useful.  In fact, a few of my favourite folders have combo-edges.

So what is the general opinion on them?

[Freudian Frog]

I generally like 'em, but there are cases where I'd prefer a plain edge.

[jim guy]

for me it depends on the serrations, leathermans serrations on the freestyle cx i like, the standard models are to shallow. In my opinion spyderco has the best.

[Shane769]

It definitely depends on my use of the blade for sure. I almost ALWAYS prefer a PE blade, even for rope and such. But in rescue situations, the combo edge can be pretty useful on belts and the like.

[american lockpicker]

Whats a combo edge?

[Precise]

I only have one combo edge knife. Good ol' OHT. Still haven't decided whether I like them yet or not. Thing cuts really well. If I keep using it and don't run into a situation where I feel like I needed one or the other with it, I guess that means I like it.

[jzmtl]

They are okay for EDC, but very hard to resell compare to PE, so I gotta take that into consideration.

[Freudian Frog]

They are okay for EDC, but very hard to resell compare to PE, so I gotta take that into consideration.

Resell? Why would anyone do that?

[Benner]

They are okay for EDC, but very hard to resell compare to PE, so I gotta take that into consideration.

Yeah I've noticed that.

Always seems that PE are more frequently sold out over CE as well.

[jzmtl]

They are okay for EDC, but very hard to resell compare to PE, so I gotta take that into consideration.

Resell? Why would anyone do that?

Hey I'm not as rich as le frog, so I need it to fund further addiction. 

[american lockpicker]

They are okay for EDC, but very hard to resell compare to PE, so I gotta take that into consideration.

Resell? Why would anyone do that?

I do that all the time.

[John]

Whats a combo edge?

part serrated 

[hawkchucker]

I was so against them for the longest time. However I have found serr. I actually like,ZT.
I swear they are like a chainsaw, and they cut everything. So If it the scalloped Kershaws. Yes I like them!

[Mr. Whippy]

They are okay for EDC, but very hard to resell compare to PE, so I gotta take that into consideration.

Yeah I've noticed that.

Always seems that PE are more frequently sold out over CE as well.

So much easier to sharpen, I can't imagine CHOOSING a blade that is half Serrated half PE if I have a choice. 

[american lockpicker]

Whats a combo edge?

part serrated 

I hate most of them except the one on my spirit.

[ringzero]

Love 'em!

Love the way they 'bite' into slippery objects like woody vines, no matter the angle that the blade strikes the target.

Once the serrated part of a combo edge has started a cut, the plain edge will easily follow through with a draw cut to finish up.

Love that even if a knife is REALLY dull, the serrated part will still cut well enough to get you out of a jam.

Hate sharpening serrations, so I just don't do it very often.  I'll touch up the plain edge part of a blade, but leave the serrations alone.  But the serrations seem to stay sharp longer than the plain edged part of a combo edge blade.

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[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I hate them with a passion that frankly scares me

[prime77]

I really didn't care for them for the longest time. But since EDCing my Spyderco Mini Manix for a while I have come to like them.

[Benner]

I hate them with a passion that frankly scares me

Care to explain why? 

[DaveK]

It's two tools in one. What's not to like? 

[american lockpicker]

It's two tools in one. What's not to like? 

For me the serratted part is hard to sharpen and serrations make a knife look too much like a weapon.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I hate them with a passion that frankly scares me

Care to explain why? 

I hate serrations remember!

And combo edges are frankly naff at any kind of precision cuts ie grafting.

[Sean]

It's two tools in one. What's not to like? 

I couldn't agree more.   
I have quite a number of knives that are combo's.  I really find them
very useful.  Serrations work ever so well on cardboard, it's quite amazing actually.
Plain edge's do as well but start to bind and tear where as my serrations will keep going
for considerably longer.  When they start going dull I just start sawing. 
I don't mind sharpening them with the Sharpmaker and it works well.
Anyhow, they'd be not so good if you were whittling wood but working in the kitchen or for
most tasks I find either the combo edge or full serrations to be quite useful for my applications.

[Mr. Whippy]

Here's my 2 problems with them.

1.  They aren't really 2 knives in one.  They really are a lesser version of a serrated blade.  That is, they won't cut clean sharp edges like a PE effectively. 

2.  Sharpening often means 2 different angles for different sections of the blade.  PLUS, the PE is usually a standard 2 sided edge while the SE part is often just one side.

To me, they're more hassle than either one alone, with no real PE usefulness.

[GraysonK]

Here's my 2 problems with them.

1.  They aren't really 2 knives in one.  They really are a lesser version of a serrated blade.  That is, they won't cut clean sharp edges like a PE effectively. 

2.  Sharpening often means 2 different angles for different sections of the blade.  PLUS, the PE is usually a standard 2 sided edge while the SE part is often just one side.

To me, they're more hassle than either one alone, with no real PE usefulness.

I agree.  I'd rather have a FS or PE, depending on what I'm doing.  I never have like the CE.  Sharpening them really sucks.  And, maybe it's just me, but almost every time I've tried to use  on when I've needed a clean cut, I end up missing the PE section of the blade and catching the SE.  Not a huge deal, but still a pain.  Plus, and this is just a personal preference, I just like the uniformity of the blade, all SE or all PE.  Looks better to me.

[WhichDawg]

I hate them with a passion that frankly scares me

I'm with Mike, combo yuck

but... out of all the ones I've tried, the OHT did to them right and I can live with that one.

but usually they don't work so good and function and maintenance is a pain.

[Smitty44]

I'm all for PE knives,but for cutting bread I'll take a serrated knife every time.
 &

[nuphoria]

I'm in the depends camp. As a separate blade I'm not much in to them but on a multi I think they are a great idea just for the more tools in a smaller space concept. This is more an occasional use thing for me rather than a primary blade though.

[Benner]

I find serrations no more difficult to sharpen than a PE.  If you have a Sharpmaker it's quite simple.

[2xTap]

I hate them really. I own quite a few combo edge knives but only because I got them so cheap or because they were in designs/patterns I really like but have no other blade option. I do not intentionally look for combo edge knives. I am not a big fan of serrations either. Haven't had a cutting task yet that a real sharp plain edge couldn't do it, or one that a serrated blade would of been better.

Combo edge knives do neither job really well as you don't have enough "plain edge" or enough "serrations" for any serious work. How or why anyone would think these are "The best of both worlds" is beyond me.

"Give me Plain Edge, or give me Death!".......it's what Patrick Henry said! Words to live by. 

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