SE v. PE

[bell]

There are many aficionados on both sides. Here is my bottom line in one sentence. They have different functions. Like some who have posted here, I once took my knife (never again) to a "professional sharpener" who totally ruined the serrations on the knife, his response was to show me how the se part of the blade cut paper like butter. (At the time I was stupid enough to be dazzled instead of going postal that he had ruined the se part of the knife). The se is not supposed to slice or dice, it is supposed to act like a, excuse the expression, "saw". Thats right, it is suppose to dig in and begin and maybe finish a difficult cut in dense material that would put off a good pe. Differenct functions.

Box cutting is a favority activity. The much maligned combination blade seems to me perfect for this use. Start the cut with the se and finish with the pe. I just got a BM combination Griptilian in the mail, love it. The serrations are sharp but shallow (anemic). The serrations need some character and Spyderco provides that depth of the large serrations which makes it such a constant winner.

[Capt. Carl]

Nothing works better with yard work than my SE Native. Using it around the yard really helped me appreciate the serrated edge and prove its utility.

[ahearn]

I recently bought a Cricket SE and am still training myself to use it more often. It's my first SE and I don't seem to choose it too often over my PEs.

I guess I have a PE bias because that's all I've ever used in the past.

Any comments about when and how to best use an SE would be appreciated.

[yablanowitz]

My most common use for SE is tree and shrub trimming. The serrations do a much better job of cutting through green, sappy, flexible, fiberous wood than a plain edge. Aside from that, I do pretty much everything with a plain edge, especially cardboard. I just don't like the way the teeth catch on thin materials, the way the chisel grind edge cuts in an arc instead of straight, or the rough surface the serrations leave behind when doing finish work.

If I had to choose only one edge type, I would pick PE over SE or CE in a heartbeat.

[Spydiman]

If you keep a SE edge very sharp, then it can do the same thing a PE edge can.

Of course, I, as a Knife Knut, carry both SE and PE, though the SE is always my main knife.

[cobrajoe]

If you keep a SE edge very sharp, then it can do the same thing a PE edge can.

Of course, I, as a Knife Knut, carry both SE and PE, though the SE is always my main knife.
I do the same thing, I feel under-knifed if I don't have one of each edge type with me.

[dialex]

A SE Delica was for a good few years my very EDC. It did everything I asked from her, and exceeded. The only reason I'm EDC-ing a PE now is because it's the only edge option those came with :(
Indeed, sharpening serrations is more difficult, but it can be done (especially with a 204). And a SE edge uually lasts longer than a PE. Now that doesn't mean that a PE won't bring certain advantages. It's not a matter of which is better, PE vs. SE, but what works for you.

[vampyrewolf]

Properly sharpened, a PE will go through just about anything. Was cutting boxes today with my lil temp, and that double layer cardboard may as well have been regular paper.

But then my working edge on a PE will pop hair, fillet paper, and still be durable enough to cut wire all day. SE isn't sharp enough till it shaves ;)

You can do just about anything a PE will do, with a SE... but it takes practice to sharpen a PE do do anything a SE will do.
Found a SE excelled at my last job when I was cutting through 14 layers of 10oz/80weave fabric. PE just slipped, SE ate the stuff for lunch...

Find the balance that works best for you, and go with it. I personally prefer one of each, though the PE will be used more (usually food prep or opening packages).

Want to see a SE really stand out? SE Cricket will eat clampacks like a starving teenager attacks a pizza.

[cobrajoe]

I agree with what's been said, SE works great when PE won't bite. Rubber, plastic, fiber board, etc...

One thing I've found about spyder serrations is the fact that you don't always need to saw with them. On some materials, SE makes it easier to push cut, the blade has many different angles of attack, verses the single angle that PE has.

[spydutch]

If you keep a SE edge very sharp, then it can do the same thing a PE edge can.

Of course, I, as a Knife Knut, carry both SE and PE, though the SE is always my main knife.

....only better:D

'Nuff said;)

[Blades]

If you don't have it, or haven't read it, you need "Joe Talmadge" sharpening FAQ.


Blades

[para-force]

Got my first SE spyderco 6 months ago and that serrated delica hasn't been replaced by any of my pe knives since.

Then I got a SE dodo... :)

[bell]

One great tip (Vampirewolf) to sharpen serrations is to use a leather shoelace and coat with the green strop stuff and then run the lace in the large serrations. Dang. Super sharp.

[So-Lo]

If you keep a SE edge very sharp, then it can do the same thing a PE edge can.

blah blah blah........... SE is always my main knife.

I carry my SE Caly 3 in khakis , and my SE Mili in jeans. O yeah, I have a SE Lil Temp on the way! The only PE I NEED is on my only real EDC my midnight manager. :D

SE pwns ALL PE :D :D :D

:D :D :D

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w49/So-Lo-Kustoms/moreteeth.jpg


http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w49/So-Lo-Kustoms/both-edcs.jpg

[DRod]

I only like SE and PE. I dont like the combination at all really.

I used my SE E4 to cut triwall cardboard at work with no problems. Ive had to sharpen it once though. Its not as sharp anymore since I suck at SE sharping right now. The triwall is a PITA too. I tried with my ZDP CJ and it cut it like butter even with PE but the card board scratched the blade. :(
I usually will carry both though.

[haxxor]

I like both, so ce is my favorite :)

........or 2 knives :)

[para-force]

I only like SE and PE. I dont like the combination at all really.

I used my SE E4 to cut triwall cardboard at work with no problems. Ive had to sharpen it once though. Its not as sharp anymore since I suck at SE sharping right now. The triwall is a PITA too. I tried with my ZDP CJ and it cut it like butter even with PE but the card board scratched the blade. :(
I usually will carry both though.

I'm sorry you have to cut through triwall man. I had to work with it this past summer, what a pain. That stuff is just too damn thick to cut.

[JD Spydo]

My most common use for SE is tree and shrub trimming. The serrations do a much better job of cutting through green, sappy, flexible, fiberous wood than a plain edge. Aside from that, I do pretty much everything with a plain edge, especially cardboard. I just don't like the way the teeth catch on thin materials, the way the chisel grind edge cuts in an arc instead of straight, or the rough surface the serrations leave behind when doing finish work.

If I had to choose only one edge type, I would pick PE over SE or CE in a heartbeat.

Hey Yablanowitz you stole some of my thunder :D But actually I'm glad you did. I just got back in town and I'm sorry I'm late on this one. There is one important cutting chore of serrated blades that we knife users in the know are cognizant of>> and that is the fact that serrated blades go through rope, twine and cord much better than plain edged blades do as a general rule.

The other brother made a great point about how well serrations perform if they are at optimal sharpness. I have had the SE blade on my big Dyad so sharp recently that I didn't even bother to use the plain edge for almost a week.

But folks don't get confused>> I like both blade variations and have found numerous cutting chores for both. That's why the big C-44 Dyad has been my main EDC carrying knife because it is truly the best of both worlds.

[So-Lo]

The other brother made a great point about how well serrations perform if they are at optimal sharpness. I have had the SE blade on my big Dyad so sharp recently that I didn't even bother to use the plain edge for almost a week.

nuff said,

SE pwns PE!!!!

:D

Really though, if you PE spyder-knuts give a full SE a fair shot (read a week or more EDC) you will see PE is just plain. SE cuts most everything (98% of the time)better, apples, rope, cheese, everything....:D



:cool:

[spydutch]

I have no need for a PE blade...

By now I'm at the point that I only have fully serrated Spydies in my collection. I got rid of almost all my PE or CE Spydies.

There are only 3 PE/SE left by now: a Gunting/CE, Spyker and a big Persian. But they never leave the display or box;)

[Left Hand Path]

In my experience SE will definitely outperform PE on tougher/fibrous materials - it bites in and holds an edge well. I used my Salt SE yesterday to trim some branches off of a shrub in my yard and it worked great. I also prefer my SE knives for zip-ties. But I do like PE for certain things, like opening letters or making precise cuts, and certain food prep tasks. I like to carry both PE and SE, sometimes on the same knife - I love my D4 foliage green CE.

It is fun to pair a PE and SE - I am starting to like carrying 1 of each. I really like a Cento III and Caly 3 SE together, or a Salt SE and Adventura together.

[JBE]

I've EDC'd both SE and PE Spyders...Funny thing is there have been times I've hand a PE on me and wished for a SE but I've never had a SE on me and wished for a PE instead. My rule of thumb used to be PE for large blades and SE for small blades. Now I just compromise and carry CE's.

[Tank]

Funny thing is there have been times I've hand a PE on me and wished for a SE but I've never had a SE on me and wished for a PE instead. .
Well Said, I do have a couple of PE that I carry (Mostly an Adventura) but I always have a SE or PE on me.

[Vincent]

I am yet to try a SE, all in time I guess, I do have a few small saws and they cut wood, branches and ropes alot better than a PE.

[cobrajoe]

I think one of the misconceptions of SE is the fact that most think it can only be used like a saw blade (lots of sawing and small to no pressure on the teeth).

The fact is that most of the time, SE can be used in a very similar manner to a PE blade. In fact there are many little benefits of SE, you can start a cut with the teeth, if you accidently hit a hard surface, the points will hit and keep the scallops safe (think steak knife), they seem to keep an edge longer, and you can always end up sawing with an SE blade if you need to. Of course, I think I'm forgeting some, but that's what I remember right now.

[Left Hand Path]

I agree wholeheartedly with cobrajoe - those are my feelings as well with emphasis on sharpness. I think the key is sharpness - a sharp SE can be used much like a PE. A dull SE is where sawing may come into play, in my experience.