It looks like you're already decided, and I'll just reconfirm. I own fully serrated and plain Delicas. The plain edge is more versatile most of the time. The fully serrated blade cuts rope and webbing like a chainsaw, but doesn't work as well on many other things. And, as mentioned, you need a special sharpener (Spyderco Sharpmaker is one of the better ones all around). I own a couple of half-serrated blades, but I avoid them nowadays. As you say, neither the plain or serrated part is very long on a combo blade.

Kevin B.