Best Serrations for Cloth and Rope

L

lambertiana

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I currently have only one fully serrated knife, from Spyderco. Its primary role is as a car door stowage for emergencies. In this use, I am primarily interested in the best performance zipping through cloth and rope.

Various brands use different serration patterns. For those of you with experience using serrated knives from more than one manufacturer, is there one that has a serration pattern that is clearly superior when it comes to cutting cloth and rope quickly?
 
Spyderco's serration design is a good balance between function and sharpening with simple tools. Some of the reverse serrations, work well but are very hard to sharpen nicely by hand, and Cold Steel's laser cut version is basically a disposable design, that cannot be resharpened in any meaningful way.
 
The serations on a cheap Dexter Russel NTL24 net knife are unbelievable. They cut like a laser and seem to stay sharp forever.
 
I found Veff serrations to work great on most everything!!!! Only downside is they really are only found on CRKT knives which use junk steel.or something you send him to have him put them on......Check out his website!!
 
Years ago when I worked at the airport doing cargo (stacking wares onto metal pallets and securing them with nets, ropes and plastic sheets) I had my Leatherman Wave with me always. The serrated blade flew through all of the aforementioned materials like it was nothing.

I don't have too much experience with any other serrations though, apart from my breadknife (similar to David Mary serrations, funnily enough).
 
I like serrations, but they have to be the right kind. I like serrations that have softer ridges and are somewhat smooth in their transitions. Leatherman does a good job with this, like this
s-l400.jpg
What I do not like is when the serrations have very sharp and pronounced teeth, that look more like a saw blade like the ones I find on a lot of cheaper knives
Not only do they not cut well, they are almost impossible to sharpen. Serrations done well will definitely help with rope and fibrous materials.
 
When I ran small boat and VBSS teams we usually carried a Spyderco, those serrations are aggressive and work very well on rope/line and strapping/webbing.

edit to add: I have moved away from serrated knives as I find them to be less useful to me now...but, at the time, they worked well for what they were used on.
 
Mora makes a serrated knife also, it is specifically made for rope. Their serrations are pretty wicked too if a fixed blade will work for you
 
eveled said:
The serations on a cheap Dexter Russel NTL24 net knife are unbelievable. They cut like a laser and seem to stay sharp forever.
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Drop bear said:
By the way. Trauma shears?

Especially if the person is still in that cloth you are cutting.
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Delgadonine said:
Yes.

This.

True!
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chevyrulez1 said:
Mora makes a serrated knife also, it is specifically made for rope. Their serrations are pretty wicked too if a fixed blade will work for you
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I'll have to look into trauma shears. I was thinking more along the lines of needing to cut seatbelts and tie downs in an emergency, but trauma shears could come in handy.

Regarding fixed blades...here in Kommiefornia it could lead to problems. Technically, a fixed blade stowed in the door pocket of my car could be considered a concealed fixed blade by an overzealous prosecutor, especially in some areas that I frequently visit (my daughter lives in the bay area). In Kommiefornia, a fixed blade with a blade over 2" is not allowed for concealed carry. The irony is I have a CCW and can carry a concealed pistol legally, but I am not allowed to pair it with a fixed blade longer than 2". Who votes for the idiots who write these laws?
 
Delgadonine said:
My Leatherman never failed me. It went through a seat belt with spectacular ease.

I lost it years ago.

Actually, a coworker 'borrowed' and never returned it...
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A bit off topic, I've used my Leatherman wave bought more than 20 years ago to saw 5/16" rebar steel and the saw is still fine! It took some time, but it went through the damn thing! I didn't have other tool with me at the time and the work needed to be done...
 
We also had j-hooks for cutting webbing quickly...no sharp tip and couldn't be confused for a weapon even by the most aggressive of misinformed. But I found a straight edge worked better and for more situations (like cutting tie down lines and such.) Trauma shears are another good option. I had a pair on my dive rig for cutting netting and fishing line, thin rope without worrying about puncturing the BC vest.
 
Buddy of mine had one. He liked it, but I would not recommend prying anything heavier than a soda can tab with the blade...
 
Could someone suggest a good brand of trauma shears. Can’t believe I don’t have any.
 
lambertiana said:
I'll have to look into trauma shears. I was thinking more along the lines of needing to cut seatbelts and tie downs in an emergency, but trauma shears could come in handy.

Regarding fixed blades...here in Kommiefornia it could lead to problems. Technically, a fixed blade stowed in the door pocket of my car could be considered a concealed fixed blade by an overzealous prosecutor, especially in some areas that I frequently visit (my daughter lives in the bay area). In Kommiefornia, a fixed blade with a blade over 2" is not allowed for concealed carry. The irony is I have a CCW and can carry a concealed pistol legally, but I am not allowed to pair it with a fixed blade longer than 2". Who votes for the idiots who write these laws?
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I have a knock off brand of the leatherman shears called recon.

They work pretty well.

 
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