Best edge for bushcraft, survival, plain or serrated?

B

Bumppo

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Jan 27, 2006
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I recently decided on a Buck Strider 889 as a folding bushcraft knife. I am aware of the pluses and minuses of folding vs. fixed, but now i would like your opinions to what is best suited for survival bushcraft? This differs from standard bushcraft because I need to take into account the ability to sharpen serrations with minimal supplies. Has anyone experience with sharpening serrations on sandstone? it has been suggested that if scrapped on soft stone, the serrations will "groove" the rock, and suffice to bring a functional edge back. All opinions welcome!
 
Troop said:
Folding Bushcraft knife = Bad news! :mad:
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Depends what you do with it. I have gone many a day with only a SAK or a case moose as my only tool and was still able to enjoy a cozy fire, prepare my game and do any other task that I needed. :thumbup: :D

EDIT: to the OP go with a plain edge. :)
 
Serrated blades are only really useful for cutting rope. Most of the rope that you would have in a survival situation is paracord which can easily be cut with any regular blade. The serrations are not necessary and make it more difficult to sharpen the blade, especially with limited tools. As a serrated edge can not cut some types of things well, the serrations shorten the length of the blade. I'll go with a regular plain blade everything.

Just my .02
 
If its one or the other I would go plain edge but I like a a knife with a small section of serrated edge because I do cut quite a bit of rope and strap.
 
The Buck Strider is a very poor choice for a bushcraft knife. Choose something else, and only in plain edge.
 
Plain edge for all the reasons stated. Convex for durability and ease or maintenance.
There's nothing wrong with the blade of the BS889 or even the fact that it's a folder if you know what you are doing. The real issue with the 889 is the handles. While the shape, texture and grooves provide positive traction for hard use. your hand will quickly let you know that you will not use this knife for prolonged periods.
 
I'm a plain edge guy, but my SAK has a partially serrated blade and I don't mind it too much.
 
Go for the plain edge as noted above. If you need an edge that is particularly aggressive for a certain purpose you can always rough up a plain edge a bit to give it some bite and then re polish, you'll have trouble going the other way from serrations to plain.

Kevin
 
My opinion is pretty much along the lines of plain edge as well. Always keeping my mind open for new perspectives, and thats what makes this forum great. TROOP! Thanks, and I believe most everyone will agree with you, including myself. This thread actually is a branch off of an earlier thread that more or less explained why I am looking for a folder instead of a fixed blade. I do have some very nice fixed bushcraft blades, and given a choice would use them exclusively.
 
Yup, plain. Like the good gents have stated.

Easier to maintain (by far), more versatile, more precise. A sharp plain edge should be able to cut rope just as well as a serrated edge. Keep the distal edge toothier, if you're worried.
 
Marcelo Cantu said:
Plain edge for all the reasons stated. Convex for durability and ease or maintenance.
There's nothing wrong with the blade of the BS889 or even the fact that it's a folder if you know what you are doing. The real issue with the 889 is the handles. While the shape, texture and grooves provide positive traction for hard use. your hand will quickly let you know that you will not use this knife for prolonged periods.
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From my personal experience, the 889's handles do not leave hot-spots. Granted, they are basically designed with gloved-use in mind, but I find they do just fine for a working man's hands.
 
The only thing I've found serrations useful for is swearing at when I try to sharpen them after they go dull.I've never cut anything in the woods that a straight blade couldn't cut.I'd say go plain.
 
Serrated edges stink. Not only are they unsharpenable, but when you want to notch for a trap, they've used up the portion of the edge that you can get the most leverage with. I cannot express my distaste for their inclusion in anything but a sailors knife or a bread knife.
 
i like se for when im going to be around a specil sharpener ever tryed to sharpen se on a stone you'll wined up with a pe real quick
 
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