Okiecruffler
Member
Okay, I just have to ask. Straight, serrated, or combo. What do you carry and why?
Make mine straight and razor sharp.
Make mine straight and razor sharp.
What's your edge?
- Thread starter Okiecruffler
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shooter.45
Member
I also use half and half . Spyderco delica clipit..
Jim March
Member
Type of edge is the SIXTH ranked thing I look at in a street-carry fighting folder.
Issue #1 is lock strength. If I can't trust it, it's junk.
2) Length. BIG. A 5" blade length is getting warm. 6" is better. The moment somebody makes a 10" folder worth a dang, I'm THERE. I am not kidding. 20" is not beyond the realm of possibility, in fact I think I know how to make one!
3) Grip ergonomics - will my hand slip down the blade if the tip hangs on a hard-target stab? If so, that's a problem.
4) Fast slick opening, although on a big boy that's not as big a problem because big blade mass means it swings open easier.
5) The steel has to be at least decent. ATS-34/55 is OK, as is AUS8, but I prefer D2. There's lots of other good ones out there too but there's also junk like the 420H family, 440A unless the heat-treat is abnormally good (SOG and Myerchin know what they're doing with 440A).
Once ALL of the above is sorted out, if I still have a choice, I'll take a straight edge, but serrations can work too.
Issue #1 is lock strength. If I can't trust it, it's junk.
2) Length. BIG. A 5" blade length is getting warm. 6" is better. The moment somebody makes a 10" folder worth a dang, I'm THERE. I am not kidding. 20" is not beyond the realm of possibility, in fact I think I know how to make one!
3) Grip ergonomics - will my hand slip down the blade if the tip hangs on a hard-target stab? If so, that's a problem.
4) Fast slick opening, although on a big boy that's not as big a problem because big blade mass means it swings open easier.
5) The steel has to be at least decent. ATS-34/55 is OK, as is AUS8, but I prefer D2. There's lots of other good ones out there too but there's also junk like the 420H family, 440A unless the heat-treat is abnormally good (SOG and Myerchin know what they're doing with 440A).
Once ALL of the above is sorted out, if I still have a choice, I'll take a straight edge, but serrations can work too.
Combo
I carry a Kershaw with a combo blade. My knife is used for more than just protection, including but not limited too cutting seatbelts and the such if nessicarry(serrated is very good for that). I agree with the type of steel being a very important decision.
I carry a Kershaw with a combo blade. My knife is used for more than just protection, including but not limited too cutting seatbelts and the such if nessicarry(serrated is very good for that). I agree with the type of steel being a very important decision.
MacPelto
Member
Since you asked...straight. It's the only thing that I can sharpen reliably.
Knives
Member
I carry a Spyderco Endura with a serrated edge.
Kahr carrier
Member
Serrated.
Edward429451
member
Edward429451
member
Arkady
Member
Make mine a combo edge.
My knife (CRKT M16-12Z) is a tool, and as a tool i find it to be more effective if i can saw at those uncooperative ropes/wires/masses of packing tape.
Should i ever have to use it defensively, i should think that i'll be too panicked to worry over what type of wound i'm creating, so long as the pointy end is in the other guy when all is said and done.
My knife (CRKT M16-12Z) is a tool, and as a tool i find it to be more effective if i can saw at those uncooperative ropes/wires/masses of packing tape.
Should i ever have to use it defensively, i should think that i'll be too panicked to worry over what type of wound i'm creating, so long as the pointy end is in the other guy when all is said and done.
Gray_Fallen
Member
I carry combo-edge as my main knife, but that was a matter of being a beggar and not a chooser. I got a good deal on an Emerson Commander, and I took it... and I dont regret it. yes, I would preffer plain edge, but I dont worry about the serrations. I just like a plain edge better, like how it cuts better, and like how much better I can sharpen it.
My other knives are all plain edge except my little Delica, and again, I got it for $10 in good shape (and yes its a real Delica), so I didnt complain.
Edward, I just gotta ask... why carry that first dagger, the United Cutlery fantasy knife???? Bad steel (420), weird blade, and I cant imagine having to go to court, even if it was a legit self defense use, if I had used that knife.
The Fairbairn/Sykes is a better choice, IMO, if its a well made model. Still, daggers dont look good in court, especially if they are illegal in the jurisdiction (and they are in very many.)
I am honestly not trying to rip you here, I am just honestly curious about the cheap knife, when you obviously spend good money on good guns, and I dont want to see someone acting responsibly, get in trouble because of a funky knife selection. But, if it works for you, then great... just honestly curious.
My other knives are all plain edge except my little Delica, and again, I got it for $10 in good shape (and yes its a real Delica), so I didnt complain.
Edward, I just gotta ask... why carry that first dagger, the United Cutlery fantasy knife???? Bad steel (420), weird blade, and I cant imagine having to go to court, even if it was a legit self defense use, if I had used that knife.
The Fairbairn/Sykes is a better choice, IMO, if its a well made model. Still, daggers dont look good in court, especially if they are illegal in the jurisdiction (and they are in very many.)
I am honestly not trying to rip you here, I am just honestly curious about the cheap knife, when you obviously spend good money on good guns, and I dont want to see someone acting responsibly, get in trouble because of a funky knife selection. But, if it works for you, then great... just honestly curious.
Chris Rhines
Member
One of each.
I prefer straight blades, no serrations tho.
I despise 50/50 combo blades, as they seem to offer the worst of both worlds.
- Chris
I prefer straight blades, no serrations tho.
I despise 50/50 combo blades, as they seem to offer the worst of both worlds.
- Chris
Edward429451
member
Aahhh, therein lies the story...I don't carry the Double Shadow blade. Its a Gil Hibben Knife, Stainless. It does say uc453 on it too. Does that mean its cheap steel? Sure couldn't tell by the price tag. It was 200-250 a few years back, cant recall exactly. I was under the impression it was a well made knife. Am I wrong bout' that? Please expound with what you may know about it..
The Fairbain/Sykes british commando knife is the real thing, made in Sheffield England and it does get carried sometimes, not all the time. The knife guy who thinned and sharpened it said it was very high quality and it shows by holding and taking a very keen edge.
As for the courts view of it....well, priorities ya know. I'll deal with them after the fact if I have to. Pretty soon it'll be illegal to raise your voice towards anyone defensive or not, armed or not. So who cares what they think.
Its really kind of a back up to the back up anyway, if ya' know what I mean...It certainly isnt a primary defensive blade. If the situation calls for pulling a knife, it calls for pulling a gun just as fast.Bad idea or not, I refuse to be intimidated by the court systems tyrannical threats and such.
Schuey2002
Member
Straight edge that is sharp enough to shave a flea.
Harbinger
Member
Full sized, serrated Spyderco Rescue. Been carrying it faithfully for seven years now. I prefer the quick/aggressive cut of a serrated knife. It's a ripping thing. 
Sometimes I'll put a stockman or a whittler in another pocket for those straight edged applications. Like carving a real scary lookin' jack o' lantern.
Sometimes I'll put a stockman or a whittler in another pocket for those straight edged applications. Like carving a real scary lookin' jack o' lantern. gryphon
Member
half and half. The straight edge is good for most things, but opening boxes and clearing away plastic wrap and shrink wrap, it's hard to beat the serrated section.
Before I got my combo blade, I'd always carry 2 knives, one of each type. Glad I have my combo now.
Before I got my combo blade, I'd always carry 2 knives, one of each type. Glad I have my combo now.
Gray_Fallen
Member
Price or not, its still not the best knife. Designed by Gil Hibben, made by United Cutlery (Hence the UC before the number, which I believe to be the model number). Made for a show piece, using, as is most common with United Cutlery pieces, 420 stainless teel. This is the lowest common grade of knife steel, 416 stainless for example, is only suitable for making guards, or handle pins, 420j2 like United used is only a step above that. United also doesnt heat treat as well as other companies. This makes for a rather soft blade, that, if it takes an edge at all, wont hold an edge.
When new it would have sold from most sources, as a collectors piece, for less than what you paid for it I am afraid. Perhaps not more than $50 less, but still less.
A B&M store, or an enterprising mail order shop might have marked it for more.
Personally, I'd say the $250 is better invested in something like a well made F/S dagger and the work to make it better for your needs, or even a custom fixed blade tactical can be had for that range.
I like F.S daggers, dont get me wrong. Some weaknesses int he blade, and its not a slasher, but it definately has its place, and if its what you train to use, then you know how to use it to its greatest ability I am sure.
T'was just an observation, nothing against you personally.
Blackjack_21
Member
Straight, no serrations at all.
I carry, and this is no joke, a Benchmade 42 balisong, also known as a "butterfly knife" to the uninitiated. I carry it because to me, a folder is just a folder. There's no fun to it. With a balisong, it's fun just to play around with. I've worn mine out a bit, and it's going back to Benchmade tomorrow for some repairs, but I'd definitely keep carrying it, even if someone gave me something else.
I carry, and this is no joke, a Benchmade 42 balisong, also known as a "butterfly knife" to the uninitiated. I carry it because to me, a folder is just a folder. There's no fun to it. With a balisong, it's fun just to play around with. I've worn mine out a bit, and it's going back to Benchmade tomorrow for some repairs, but I'd definitely keep carrying it, even if someone gave me something else.
Okiecruffler
Member
I used to carry a Balisong back in the '80's, traded a chrome mongoose BMX frame for it. Always thought I got the short end of that deal. Had it until about 5 years ago and misplaced it somewhere. Figured I'd just go replace it, then I saw the price tag.
figured I could live without it. Best knife I ever had tho'
figured I could live without it. Best knife I ever had tho'Edward429451
member
I didnt pay for that knife and really kind of guessed at the price. It may have been cheaper. My dad sent us 4 or 5 Gil Hibben and Frost knives a few years back and told me he spent more n' a grand on em all. I dont know the exact price but figured it was up there somewhere. It is nice.
I only paid 30 bucks for the F/S knife, plus a little for blade & sheath work. Still less than a hundred. Being so long you'd think it was a pain to carry, but not, it tucks away nicely.
He also sent me a Hibben 'Rambo III' knife. It said its surgical steel, is that good steel? I dont really know if it holds an edge or not. The only thing I've ever done with it is make a few hot dog sticks with it while camping. No mine probing or anything like that.
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