Serrations or not?

[Bill Hook]

What's your take and do you have a rationale to back it up?

I kinda like the idea of a half-serrated blade for a multi-purpose knife. I'm not particularly perturbed about the extra sharpening difficulties, esp. since serrations seem to stay sharp longer.

My real question about them is, do they really enhance the effectiveness when cutting tough materials?

I'm thinking about a half-serrated Griptilian for utility and defensive uses. I may cut some boxes, wood, & leather with it. I'd also like to think that I could cut nylon webbing, such as a seatbelt, if required. Are these anything serrations would truly aid?

 

[Guyon]

I like my blades plain. Part of it is aesthetic. The other part is functional. You can vary the way you sharpen a plain edge and have either a course edge with micro serrations (for cutting rope) or you can produce a very fine edge that will shave hair. It's just easier to sharpen a plain edge.

I've owned fully serrated and partially serrated knives. While there's nothing wrong with them, I always wound up selling them.

Check out this article: http://www.bladeforums.com/features/faqser-plain.shtml

 

[Hand_Rifle_Guy]

I had a variation on this very question...

Personally, I find serrations inerfere with what I do most with knives, which is shaving wood.

In search of an answer to "why serrated?", I got these informative answers. I hope this adresses your question.

 

[The Tourist]

This can best be answered by a simple fact.

Are you good at sharpening?

I have an Edge-Pro. Everything is like a razor all of the time. I have no need for serrations. If a knife gets dull from aggressive over-use, I just polish it on the Edge-Pro and in about ten minutes (which includes set-up), the knife is back spooky sharp to a great cosmetic finish.

Some guys just cannot sharpen, and it may be months until they get to a professional sharpener, or they send it back to the manufacturer. They might have to use their knife for work and cannot be without it long. The serrations allow a dull knife to cut for a longer period.

The down side is that when serrations get dull it's a bear to re-sharpen them. The best was is a diamond rat-tail file and a little patience by a guy who knows what he's doing, and that's not how our owner got into this mess.

If you need serration for your job or particular hobby I recommend TWO knives. One completely plain edge, for ease of routine sharpenings, and one that is totally serrated for things like wet rope. You'll appreciate the longer cutting stroke.

What did I do? I learned to sharpen and sold ALL of my combo edges. And I never missed them, even on wet rope.

 

[Bill Hook]

Thanks. I'll probably buy the plain and rough up the area that is normally serrated.

 

[TrapperReady]

Depends...

I've had a couple of Spyderco Dragonflys (serrated), which I used for general purpose cutting, and they would perform well for quite a while. However, I found it a pain to sharpen them.

I then switched to a mini-Griptilian plain-edge for everyday use and won't switch back. About once a week, I lightly touch up the edge, and it cuts most things as well and some things better than the serrated blades.

The only scenario I can see serrations being really advantageous is if you have to cut rope (either a lot of it, or very quickly). For this reason, I've got a Spyderco EMT hanging from my rock-climbing harness.

Some folks are very successful at sharpening serrated edges, but I'm not one. Plain-edges serve me fine.

 

[ruger357]

I use the 50/50 combo.

 

[Climb14er]

The only serrated knives I own are bread knives in my kitchen.

I see no reason for serrations in EDC's unless you're cutting lots of rope on a regular basis.

 

[Joe Mamma]

"I see no reason for serrations in EDC's unless you're cutting lots of rope on a regular basis."

I respectfully disagree. I love fully serrated blades. I used to be a skeptic but, I found that they are much better than plain blades for cutting boxes all day, every day, and staying sharp. Actually, they are better for a lot of things, including staying functionally sharp longer than plain edges. I found 50/50 combo edges don't really offer the benefits of either.

And if you are taking recommendations, go with a Spyderco Delica.

Joe Mamma

 

[Smoke]

I started carrying serrated blades before they became so popular. It used to be hard to find one. When I was young and cowboyed for a living, it was the smart thing to do, if you got into a storm and needed to cut a catch rope or cut a latigo serrated was best.

I have stuck with my upbringing, though I adopted the 50/50.

Now, I'm starting to rethink my position from a defensive standpoint. If I'm carrying a knife for the purpose of defending my life, I think I want a smooth blade. Serrations can catch and hold in some material. I really sharp smooth blade won't have that problem and should cut flesh as well or better than a serrated or 50/50.

My $.02

Smoke - who has never been in a knife fight.
(...and wants to keep it that way )

 

[Kestrel]

Smoke,

Just curious - what do you do, now? (I may have you confused with another member, but is it law enforcement?)

Just curious,
Steve

 

[Smoke]

SteveW13,

I'm in the financial industry. Still run some cows too.

 

[Ed Straker]

50/50 blade doesn't really do either well. Just do what I do - Carry one of each! Blue Delicas, one serrated, one plain edge.

 

[Griff]

They certainly have their place, like heavy-duty chores, but not in my EDC needs.
If I had to have serrations, I'd prefer it be a double-edged arrangement, like on the Camillus Pilots' Survival Knife.

http://www.camillusknives.com/1mainframe.htm