Most would prefer a plain blade - I'm one of those that prefer a partially serrated blade.... It's because of where I work (when I'm booked...). I'm a full time fishing guide working out of a small 17' skiff and running back into the wilderness areas of Everglades National Park out of Flamingo mostly (yesterday I ran solo into my normal areas for the day doing a bit of exploring - it was a short day but my round trip was still just about 65 miles - and I only saw one or two other boats the entire day...). This is my 23rd year full time (if any guide can say they go full time....). In short, the areas I work in are a real mangrove jungle with miles and miles of untracked rivers, creeks, and bays... It's a jungle above and below the waters... and changes frequently as storms and hurricanes re-arrange things.
At any rate I keep a large folder with me at all times since I work with ropes quite a bit (anchor lines, cast nets, and heavy leaders with large fish that might just be bigger than I am...). Having something for cutting rope in an instant is important if you end up dragged over the side when you least expect it -tangled up in your own line. Every year competent boaters are killed that way... My anglers are the best - but mostly un-skilled about boat stuff so I'm as self reliant as possible. I've had to cut hooks out of old crab trap lines on many occasions (1/4 to 3/8 nasty black nylon line - usually barnacle encrusted and wrapped around a downed tree somewhere). When a hook finds it -the only way you get you hook back is with a knife...
Nothing beats the serrated portion of the blade for that purpose - and I've done my share of it....
That folder also doubles as a last ditch defensive blade and I keep the plain edge portion as sharp as possible. I've never needed it but when needed it will be used as a cutting weapon - not a stabbing one.
Recently had customers aboard that brought a photo drone on board so here's the only aerial shot I've ever had of it with folks aboard. This pic was taken about 25 miles from the nearest boat ramp... Like I said - real wilderness with so many sharks in it that swimming is not a good idea at all...
Almost forgot to mention that the blade I carry opens one handed - and I always carry the same long discontinued Benchmade Ascent.. You'll never find me carrying different folders day to day. I want something so familiar that in blackout conditions under water (or anywhere else) handling that blade will be as close to purely instinctive as possible...
