EDC serrations or no?

For me it all comes down to blade length. My mini Griptilian is plain edge. My Rift is partially serrated.

I find p.s. blades to be very useful. Not exactly pretty to look at, but effective.
 
I like a mirror polished plain edge. I have a handful of serrated or combo edge knives in my collection, some were gifts, others were only available in serrated edge and others are intended for very specific tasks. I've got a multitool in each of my backpacks and all of those have fully serrated blades in case I need one.
 
anyone use Spyderco serrations for cutting cable ties (held up okay?)? carried the fully serrated Salt 1 today and only used it for poor food prep at work compared to the Pacific Salt plain edge I've been used to carrying. I figure I'll just carry both since they're so light.
 
I prefer a combo edge for work and plain edge for fun stuff.
I work 60 - 70 hrs / week so have very little time for PE.

My work edc for the past 8 weeks is an Emerson Commander and the serrations show little to no wear while the edge has been sharpened twice.
 
EDC? No. A knife specifically made for curring rope and/or bad guys? Sure, but I don't need many of those knives. And Spyderco serrations are the best in my experience.
 
I don't like serrations.

I don't like half-serrated even more.

I had a manix 2 that was serrated (combo edge)...........it's not serrated anymore.
 
For EDC, I'll take plain edge because user knives will get dull and sharpening a plain edge blade is much easier than the serrated.
 
Planterz said:
It also depends on who does the serrations. Spyderco does them the best, obviously. Benchmade's are OK. Microtech's are crap. Cold Steel's are absolutely terrible and incomprehensible. I can't comment on Kershaw's since it's been many years since I've owned one, and they do theirs differently now, but the old ones were pretty good. No experience with other companies that I can remember at the moment.
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I have been thinking of a Spyderco full serrated. One of the M/P individuals that I train turned me on to them. And yes, the Cold Steel ones are the ones I meant failed on me/chipped/just don't do it. You would think after so much flack they would just fix the damned things?

-Werewolf
 
Another plain edge vs serrated thread...must be Thursday :)
Personally, I find both have their place. Good serrations are great for rope and other soft cutting, while plain edge is the obvious choice for carving etc. I can understand that a lot of people find that they have no need for serrations and that a plain edge serves them just fine - good for them. When I was active with our State Emergency Service (search/rescue/storm salvage volunteers) I carried a combo edge Spyderco Delica and it was pure awesome. For me, for what I needed it for, it was the best of both. I can understand that for some people it means there's half a blade they don't need but it was great for what I needed it for.

There are MASSIVE differences in the quality and geometry of serrations between different brands. In my opinion Spyderco's are the best serrations I've used. The purpose of good serrations like these is to maximize the effectiveness of blade geometry with only a little lateral movement; "sawing" is not required. In my opinion if you need to saw you're probably using the wrong serrations or using those particular serrations for the wrong purpose. I had no problem cutting through 15mm thick hemp salvage rope with a straight push and a slight twist of the serrated section of my Delica. I also find Spyderco serrations pretty easy to sharpen, although I'm certainly no expert. Having said that, it's a real pain in the backside when you get a damaged serration (ie from hitting a staple in a box).

"Bad" are those I'd describe as needing a lot of sawing to cut, and yes I'd steer clear of those myself.

It's all about what you need it for and what suits your purposes better.

...also, the one place serrations do NOT belong is a steak knife; if you need serrations you cooked it wrong ;)
 
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Planterz said:
All or none. A fully serrated knife excels at tasks where delicacy and finesse aren't required. But a combo edge typically doesn't give you enough to give you enough of that advantage to compensate for the sacrifice of plain edge.
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This :thumbup:

I like serrated edges for specific tasks.For instance if I knew I was going to be cutting rope or pruning plants,I would bring a serrated hawkbill with me that day.Every other day would most likely be a plain edge day.
 
 
I will chime in with my "opinion". You know what they say about those? :-) I think they have their place. I was in the shop one time in San Marcos, California with Dewayne Dwyer of Strider. It is his opinion that a SHARP plain edge will out cut a serrated. Key word is a SHARP.While most of us here are "steel nutz", we are in the minority I believe. You take the average person with an AUS8, semi dull knife, it won't cut much. That same person with the same knife that is serrated, and it will still cut fairly well. There is a reason there have been millions and millions of "surgical steel" Ginsu knives sold. The point is that a serrated will out cut an uncared for plain edge.

Another time that I do like a partial serrated is in my ZT 301. The cool thing about that knife is that the serrations tend to start the cut on rope, rubber hose, or plastic, etc. Once the cut is started, the recurve design kicks in. And the material gets cut very aggressively.

Just my observation. YMMV.

As far as sharpening, I have had fantastic success with the edges on my Spyderco Sharpmaker.
 
I think as said multiple times it really depends on your needs and usage.

When I was on ships and deployed or in the field a CE really was the best suited edge for my needs. I used my knife daily and regularly cut ropes, lines, some nylon lines as thick as (4"-6") and a plain edge would just slide off that especially when wet. In addition thick heavy canvas and burlap and flex cuffs on occasion. Not to mention a plethora of other fibrous materials. The serrations really helped as far as getting the cut started.

The plain edge portion not only helped in completing cuts but the tip was very useful in those instances I just needed to slice something open with the tip, like opening a box, bag or slicing open lighter materials.

Also, when your in the field, regularly sharpening your blade or as ofetn as you like may not be an option. Especially on the water. I also truly appreciated the extended amount of time the serrations stayed sharp (much longer) between sharpening's.

The down side of course as everyone knows is sharpening serrations is not as easy, at least not for me, but that I didn't need to sharpen them as often was very helpful at times.

Again, it really comes down to what your regular or expected daily cutting needs are. Now retired and on land my daily cutting needs have change. I find I rarely have the same need for a serrated blade so these day's I only buy and carry a plain edge.

As I said my cutting needs have changed, plus there's a certain satisfaction knowing I can sharpen the blade myself to fairly high degree and esthetically prefer the look of a plain edge.

I get that the vast overwhelming majority of knife users will never use their knives regularly in a first responder capacity for SAR (Search and rescue) purposes or in an emergency but those that do can tell you of the benefits or preference of a serrated blade for certain types of cutting tasks.

Why I say, my needs have changed so I get it but I still know and can appreciate the value of a CE or fully serrated blade.
 
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I don't mind serrations, but I'd like a fully serrated blade if I'm going to have any
 
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