A change of heart on serrations?

JGON

JGON

Joined
Mar 12, 2010
Messages
975
Hello All,

I have always been a proponent of the notion that a non-serrated blade is a better blade. They can be sharpened more easily with readily available tools. In my opinion, they generally "cut" better. Most of the who's who of knives and knife making that I have learned from over the years have agreed with this concept. I had no questions about whether a serrated or non-serrated blade was better... until recently.

I've recently bought a Silky Folding Saw for bushcraft. I did a review on it here...
[youtube]J62dLyVPpU0[/youtube]

CIMG0042.jpg


The thing glides through wood so fast it's incredible. A non-serrated edge could never do that. It got me wondering...

Sawing through wood is a very specialized task, but I am wondering now... what other types of tasks out there might be easier with a serrated edge vs. a non-serrated edge? Hands down sawing through wood is easier with a serrated type saw edge, but a serrated knife edge... hmmmmmm.

What say you? Any thoughts?

JGON
 
I think cutting things like zip ties and rope are better done with a serrated edge.

I used to only buy knives with partially serrated blades years ago - until I had to try to sharpen them.

With my sharpening skills improving and blade steels getting better - I do not miss having serrations on my blades any more.

If I was a commercial fisherman, merchant seamen, or some other career that required the constant cutting of ropes, string and nets I would carry a partially serrated blade.

I'm not any of those so I find it impractical for my needs.
 
I usually only carry plain edge blades. BUT, I am getting a combo edge BM Barrage and I think it will work out well. For whatever reason, I find myself cutting a lot of zip ties and even a short run of serrations makes it easier. Even a toothy plain edge doesnt bite into the material as well as true serrations.
 
uhmm, do they make plain edge saws?
I don't think a plain edge saw would cut through wood very well.
 
Some serrated edges are better than others. Among the better ones, they do quite well in cutting through anything fibrous, like green wood (vines/saplings), rope, etc. The one thing I've especially noticed with a serrated edge, the serrations do a good job of grabbing & holding materials being cut, which can be handy at times when you're only able to work with one free hand. Tough rope will often 'slide off' of a less-than-perfectly-sharp plain edge, before a complete cut can be made. A short length of serrations, such as found on a combo blade, can make a big difference. I base this on my personal experience with a combo-edged Spyderco Endura.
 
Last edited:
JGON said:
Hello All,

I have always been a proponent of the notion that a non-serrated blade is a better blade. They can be sharpened more easily with readily available tools. In my opinion, they generally "cut" better. Most of the who's who of knives and knife making that I have learned from over the years have agreed with this concept. I had no questions about whether a serrated or non-serrated blade was better... until recently.

I've recently bought a Silky Folding Saw for bushcraft. I did a review on it here...
[youtube]J62dLyVPpU0[/youtube]

CIMG0042.jpg


The thing glides through wood so fast it's incredible. A non-serrated edge could never do that. It got me wondering...

Sawing through wood is a very specialized task, but I am wondering now... what other types of tasks out there might be easier with a serrated edge vs. a non-serrated edge? Hands down sawing through wood is easier with a serrated type saw edge, but a serrated knife edge... hmmmmmm.

What say you? Any thoughts?

JGON
Click to expand...

That is a saw not a knife. I don't think serrations are made for sawing.
 
You can't compare serrations on a knife blade to teeth on a saw blade. They don't work in the same manor. A saw creates a kerf by removing material in it's way. A knife blade slides between and separates the material being cut.
 
After EDCing my SE Tasman salt, thats usually on my PFD for rope, I have seen the light. Still sucks for cutting a sandwich in half though :D
 
I've had mixed feelings about them as well, they are sometimes too difficult to sharpen. TOPS and ESEE have made it easy, get the right size file, and you're half way there.
They have their place, you're better off with a straight edge, and your saw, when in the woods. Just my $.02.
 
JGON said:
The thing glides through wood so fast it's incredible. A non-serrated edge could never do that. It got me wondering...

Sawing through wood is a very specialized task, but I am wondering now... what other types of tasks out there might be easier with a serrated edge vs. a non-serrated edge? Hands down sawing through wood is easier with a serrated type saw edge, but a serrated knife edge... hmmmmmm.

What say you? Any thoughts?

JGON
Click to expand...

A serrated edge will never do that either...just sayin...
 
Just to clarify, I understand the difference between a serrated knife and a saw. The strengths of my saw just got my thinking about serrated edges.
 
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