Double-edged or Single?

[Xanatos]

Which bladetype do you prefer and why?

Personally I prefer double-edged blades; they're easier to cut through material with, if you damage one edge you have another one as backup, you can have both a serrated and clean edge on the same blade (as with the SOG Pentagon), they're more useful for combat and there's not a lot single-edged blades can do that doubles can't.

[Psychlonic]

I've always been a single edge guy, I guess just because I try to use my knife as a tool most of the time. More of a camper/survivor mentality than that of a fighting one. A single edge actually has plenty of pros to it, hollow ground knives have way more chopping power and are capable of being much sharper, the back offers a surface to press against or hammer on, and the increased volume provides a marginally better structural integrity when prying. They can even penetrate better than a double edged knife as in the case of the hissatsu knife and most tantos.

Just offering a case for single edged ones, I realize a double edged knife has it's benefits as well. In the end, I don't think it matters. Almost any knife in the right hands can cut, chop, stab, and smack "good enough" to get the job done.

[stealththief]

I prefer single edge. I like to use the back of the knife as a place to press the blade, or spark off of a starter block. Also I prefer a partially serrated blade to saw small things which would seem strange on a double edge knife. For fighting I'd grab a double edge first but as a general pocket knife and night ops knife I prefer the single edge. Maybe it's because I'm more down with folders in general since I'm in a city (carrying a sheathed knife would draw too much cop attention to me).

[Psychlonic]

Don't worry, I'm pretty sure I'd get funny looks where I live carrying around a fixed knife as well. I used to mosey about with a couple tucked away but I was younger and dumber back then. My "theory" was that if someone pulled a knife on me, I had vastly superior "firepower".

Honestly, I no longer believe in "pulling a knife" like how you see people in movies stand back from someone and pull a knife to intimidate them. Might work if you're robbing someone at knife point, but if I'm using my knife in a fight, I'm playing stupid/defenseless until the last minute when I pull the knife from hiding and go for a vital before they know what's going on.
In this role, a folder will work just fine as long as it's not cheap and stays firm when deployed. I've thought about buying a Hissatsu folder for just that purpose since my current ones take a hunting/utility role, but it's one of those low priority ideas that won't happen for awhile.

Another tangent, but fuck it. Need something to talk about on these forums eh?

[Xanatos]

I used to carry around at least 5 blades as well; 2 throwing knives, a rather large dagger and 2 "twin" daggers. But now I rarely carry anything, sometimes only a tube of metsu-bishi and/or a really cool rock I found that makes a suitable shobo (used for hitting pressure points), both of which are easily disposable and concealable.

[Ysidro]

I'm not sure why I prefer single-edged knives. I guess that like Psychlonic put it, I have more of a survival mentality and having the back of the blade is usful for pressing down on. Carrying a sheath knife on my belt wouldn't be a huge deal seeing as I outside of town in the country, but it would still draw some attention. My sheath knife is big though and is great for prying and chopping.

[Psychlonic]

I admit I carry a big fatty of a knife around as well, probably just because I've grown used to it over the years and I'd rather have it around than a shorter although probably more practical knife.

[Ghost]

My carry knife is single edged, but for anything serious i prefer a double, more because i like "dagger" style knives than for any practical reason. For survival stuff like camping/hiking, i tend to have a couple different knives on me for different purposes, plus a swiss army knife for anything i don't want to risk damaging or dulling a fixed blade on.

For opping, it's always a fixed blade, and double edged more often than not.

[Anthony Sykes]

Actually, A single edged blade and doubled edge blade are equally combat effectve; except the spear point. A spear point is weak, as the pith is formed at the center. its more about Violence of action than anything.

[Biohazard]

Single edged for me, for the same reasons Psychlonic outlined. Also it's easier to cut yourself with a double edged knife when using it as a tool or even when handling it in the dark. More room to slip or fuck up in some other manner, just something to keep in mind.

[roccoco]

I've always been a single edge guy, I guess just because I try to use my knife as a tool most of the time. More of a camper/survivor mentality than that of a fighting one. A single edge actually has plenty of pros to it, hollow ground knives have way more chopping power and are capable of being much sharper, the back offers a surface to press against or hammer on, and the increased volume provides a marginally better structural integrity when prying. They can even penetrate better than a double edged knife as in the case of the hissatsu knife and most tantos.

^^ This. I much prefer the single edge. I'm not really going around stabbing people - my knife is generally for prying/general tool usage.

[Urgon]

AVE...

Both...
Single-edged knifes are great tools for cutting, chopping(if the knife is big and heavy enough), unscrewing and prying open...
Double-edged however are better for self-defense. I like dagger-type blades. These are great for stabbing, which is better for eliminating enemies without actually killing them. But to use this method one must know the anatomy to avoid all those big blood vessels and important organs. Double-edged blades can also be used to cut, but I never liked that. It doesn't "feel" right...

[Captain Winky]

which is better for eliminating enemies without actually killing them

in that case I have,

MAI FEESTS, DEY AR MADE OF OPERATIVE, BZZZRARARARARARARARARA