KA-BAR Knifes: Serrated or Not?

[KevinAbbeyTech]

When it comes to KA-BAR knifes (USMC Standard Fighting Knife), would it (for survival purposes) be better to have one with the partially serrated blade, or to have the full regular blade?

Whats your Opinion?

 

[Todd A]

I prefer plain edge on outdoor use knives. Serrations tend to drag in wood,not the greatest for fine work.

You will have to choke up on the blade to use the plain edge which isn't ideal for leverage/control for fine detail work. And you have the possibility of slipping and cutting yourself.

Some like the fact that serrations will cut decent even when dull. I can keep a "working" edge my carbon plain edges with a rock if I had to. But I carry a V sharpener in my kit anyway so a hair popping edge is easy to maintain, thus the "cut when dull" ability doesn't apply for me.

 

[22-rimfire]

Plain edge. If you are cutting something and feel you need a fair amount of force behind the cut, you usually cut on the lower portion of the blade near the handle for control. That is where the serrations are usually. Hence, I don't like partially serrated blades.

If you think you need serrations, get yourself a swiss army knife with a serrated blade included. If you want something bigger, go with a Spyderco folder.

 

[KevinAbbeyTech]

That's what I was thinking, I am going to buy one and I was planning on getting the original USMC model with the leather handle.

You can't beat the original model with plain blade made from carbon steel IMHO.

 

[dan_i_am]

I like the serrations, they act a bit like a saw and make short work of thick, ropes.

Downside - everything above, plus the serrations are hard to sharpen yourself.

 

[Exmasonite]

plus side to serrations... they're a bit more forgiving with maintenance/sharpness. "dull" serrations still make short work of rope and cord.

my biggest pet peeve is the serrations/saw tooth on the back side of the blade... make it tougher to baton with.

 

[SimpleIsGood229]

With the proper sharpening equipment, serrations are really easy to maintain. That said, I don't think they belong on a large fixed blade (for the above-stated reasons).

 

[Big Daddy Grim]

I like the serated cuts game alot easier even through the tendons and mussles, but for skinning I carry a plain blade. Half and half's I don't like at all like the full serated or not but thats just me.

 

[KBintheSLC]

I prefer the partially serrated blade on my USMC. I mostly use it as a survival/woods/mountaineering/utility knife, I use it on rope and para-cord a lot. For that purpose, it works much better in making fast, clean cuts.

If it will mainly be used as a weapon knife, the serrations are not necessary.