Does anyone else hate the proliferation of serrated blades on small knives....?

DeSotoSky

DeSotoSky

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....or is it just me? My rant for the day. Whats more worthless than a half serrated blade on a 425 Mini Buck? My serrated Buck Coat 425 makes a variation for the collection but as a knife blade...ugh. I just don't get the proliferation of half serrated blades. The only time I want a serrated blade is on a STEAK Knife!!!! I've been EDC'ing a 170 lately cause it was a cheap FM find but the half serrated blade is only half useful. The serrated part doesn't seem to cut anything that well. I just don't get it.
I find myself more and more looking for plain edge blade versions of knives for my collection. Besides, they're just prettier....
 
I'm not a fan of serrated blades either. However, there must be demand for them or the makers wouldn't put them out. On a small blade it does seem to make even less sense, but again, maybe they expect someone to buy that type of knife who will not/does not sharpen their tools, so the serrations make sense I guess.

They are not for me either, but I guess it's good to have a choice.
 
I remember getting given one once...I gave it away. :)

I can't stand the critters.
 
I think people who let their knives get dull find that it's possible to still hack things apart with the serrated part of the blade.

That's the only idea I got.

:)
 
I actually like them a lot and find them very useful. Full or half serrated on a 110 size blade. They are easy to sharpen,hold their edge and can cut many items a plain edge would struggle with. DM
 
Personnally I have little use for serrations. Most are too aggressive and get in the way.
 
Plain edge all the way. When I first got into knives, I loved the combo edges. Now, as I use my blades more and more, I have grown to hate serrations. They have their place in this world, but not in mine.
 
I don't get the use of the word Proliferation in the question. There doesn't seem to be any more now than any other time in the last 10 years. They arnt spreading uncontrolably. To interject into the conversation, I dont care for them myself but the do have a purpose. They are exceptional cutters. If I had a job cutting consistantly I would use a serrated blade. They can long out perform a plain edge blade in heavy cutting.
 
Perhaps "proliferation" wasn't the best word but then it's about perception sometimes. Knives are a personal tool and we all use them differently. I can't think of any situation that I liked a partially serrated blade. For me it gets in the way on the most useful part of the blade forcing use out to the tip too far.
 
Well, personally I like them....try cutting a piece of rope with a plain edge then a serrated edge. I think you'll find the serrated edge cuts (saws) the rope a lot easier and faster than the plain edge.
 
I dont like serrates regardless and that certainly seems to be overdoing it. Buck tries have something for everyone though, so those folks who like serrated blades buy small knives also and Buck fills the need. Good for them. Someday we'll probalbly buy a knife that others may find useless.(I'll keep looking:D)
 
When I was working in a warehouse I liked the half serrated blade on my folder for breaking down cardboard. Lot's of it. Serrations would keep cutting long after a plain edge would dull. Right tool for the job sort of thing I feel.
My preference though is plain edged blades.
 
DeSotoSky said:
Whats more worthless than a half serrated blade on a 425 Mini Buck? My serrated Buck Coat 425 makes a variation for the collection but as a knife blade...
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I have one of those in my EDC rotation, and honestly love it. I have never owned such a small lightweight knife, that cuts like no tomorrow. You should use it once, I think you may learn to like or maybe even love it. ;)

David Martin said:
I actually like them a lot and find them very useful. Full or half serrated on a 110 size blade. They are easy to sharpen,hold their edge and can cut many items a plain edge would struggle with. DM
Click to expand...
:thumbup:
sitflyer said:
the half serrated blade on my folder for breaking down cardboard. Lot's of it. Serrations would keep cutting long after a plain edge would dull. Right tool for the job sort of thing I feel.
Click to expand...

Especially a serrated Buckcote 425! ;)
 
Lived aboard my sailboat for over a decade, serrated hawkbill slices through lines like nobody's business!
 
I just came across a guy's (somewhat vintage) BM folder collection and his prices were too good to pass up.
Until I realized each and every folder was partailly serrated...so I huffed and walked away.
Good if you work in cutting rope, but not too practical for EDC. (IMO)
 
DeSotoSky said:
....or is it just me? My rant for the day. Whats more worthless than a half serrated blade on a 425 Mini Buck? My serrated Buck Coat 425 makes a variation for the collection but as a knife blade...ugh. I just don't get the proliferation of half serrated blades. The only time I want a serrated blade is on a STEAK Knife!!!! I've been EDC'ing a 170 lately cause it was a cheap FM find but the half serrated blade is only half useful. The serrated part doesn't seem to cut anything that well. I just don't get it.
I find myself more and more looking for plain edge blade versions of knives for my collection. Besides, they're just prettier....
Click to expand...

First of all, not all serrations are made equal. I get the serrations on most of my blades sharp enough to push cut hair with ease. Once it comes down to cutting synthetic material a well sharpened serrated edge will have the edge over a plain edge of the same length and of the same steel by a margin of 2:1, in termes of ease to cut and edge retention. I have tried it many times. Sal Glesser has also confirmed that as well. Serrations give a much more aggressive edge. Furthermore, due to the peaks and ridges formation, in reality, they offer a longer than the blade length cutting surface. Based on my experience, one edge type complements the other. I think this is the reason for which you see so many combo edges nowadays.
 
Yes, I read that by Sal Glasser and your points are accurate. Still, for years I couldn't warm up to them. But in use the evidence out weighed my prejudice. DM
 
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