Recommendation? ESSE serrations? Yea or Nay? Do they work?

S

Sid Post

Joined
Oct 14, 1998
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I'm looking at an ESSE 'combo' edge knife. It is hard to tell how the serrations are cut, only that they appear to be shallow and not into the edge much if at all. It also looks like they would sharpen out with some limited use.

Do they work very well? If so, on what materials? Would I be just as well off with a coarse resharpening instead of the serrations?

TIA,
Sid
 
I've never seen ESEE serrations tested. I have seen Veff serrations, put on by Mr Veff and they are the best serrations available. You can contact Veff via Facebook and send your knife in to have the serrations put on. The only commercial co using Veff serrations at this time are CRKT.
 
I see zero value in serrations. They only serve to bugger things up and make for extremely annoying and difficult sharpening sessions.

Why do you think you want serrations on a knife? For what purpose? Something you think a straight edge can't do? Maybe you just need a better sharpener, more frequent sharpening, or a better blade for the job?
 
They are the easiest type of serrations to work with as far as edge maintenance goes, as they are just semicircular notches in the edge. Just sharpen it as you would if they weren't there...or as if you were trying to sharpen them away. They aren't the best at doing serrations stuff as they are just semicircular notches in the edge..., but they do make a better improvised saw in a pinch than a dull plain edge will.
 
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Sid Post said:
I do not like aggressive serrations. The ESSE serrations appear to be very subdued.
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In my opinion they are probably the best compromise between simple edge maintenance and somewhat more aggressive cutting in a pinch if need arises you're likely to find.
 
BeyondTheBox said:
I see zero value in serrations. They only serve to bugger things up and make for extremely annoying and difficult sharpening sessions.

Why do you think you want serrations on a knife? For what purpose? Something you think a straight edge can't do? Maybe you just need a better sharpener, more frequent sharpening, or a better blade for the job?
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Maybe he cuts a lot of rope. Maybe he has more need to shred whatever material. Good for him and let him enjoy the serrations.
 
BeyondTheBox said:
Why do you think you want serrations on a knife? For what purpose? Something you think a straight edge can't do? Maybe you just need a better sharpener, more frequent sharpening, or a better blade for the job?
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I don't like "partially" serrated blades, although they are quite common in the military. If I really feel the need for serrations (working in a maritime environment with the potential of heavy rope/lines to cut) or as a self-defensive blade, I would just add a fully serrated knife to back up my primary plain edge knife.

They do have value when cutting extremely tough, fibrous rope, vines, roots, etc. Some argue you save your sharpened plain edge if you used the serrated area. That's not my preference, but reasons I've heard. As Mistwalker mentioned, the ESEE serrations are easier to work with when sharpening if that's a requirement you want on your blade...

ROCK6
 
I'm not a fan of the esee serrations. own a 3 and 4 with them. they are easy to keep sharp though so there is that. it would take a very long time under normal sharpening to have them go away. I debated on doing that once.

they dont work great for many tasks that requires the teeth of serrations to do the work, since there are no teeth. cloth type cutting, they are okay. if sharpened course they'd do cloth type cutting pretty well.
 
BeyondTheBox said:
I see zero value in serrations. They only serve to bugger things up and make for extremely annoying and difficult sharpening sessions.

Why do you think you want serrations on a knife? For what purpose? Something you think a straight edge can't do? Maybe you just need a better sharpener, more frequent sharpening, or a better blade for the job?
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The guy wants serrations, just like you DON'T want serrations. Glad to see you express your opinion though.
 
ScooterG said:
Maybe he cuts a lot of rope. Maybe he has more need to shred whatever material. Good for him and let him enjoy the serrations.
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"Poly" rope is a nightmare for me and a straight edge, especially polished. A coarse edge is better but, still a challenge.
 
ROCK6 said:
I don't like "partially" serrated blades, although they are quite common in the military. If I really feel the need for serrations (working in a maritime environment with the potential of heavy rope/lines to cut) or as a self-defensive blade, I would just add a fully serrated knife to back up my primary plain edge knife.

...

ROCK6
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I don't really understand the combo-edge craze for everyday use myself. Especially the aggressive combo-edges commonly seen on pocket knives as I end up with half a usable blade for 99% of my tasks.

If I need aggressive serrations, a fully serrated blade seems preferable to me too.
 
jbmonkey said:
I'm not a fan of the esee serrations. own a 3 and 4 with them. they are easy to keep sharp though so there is that. it would take a very long time under normal sharpening to have them go away. I debated on doing that once.

they dont work great for many tasks that requires the teeth of serrations to do the work, since there are no teeth. cloth type cutting, they are okay. if sharpened course they'd do cloth type cutting pretty well.
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Awesome reply from an actual owner! THANK YOU!

Your post and the comments above have me convinced to skip the ESSE serrations on any future purchase. I have a plain edge ESSE 4HM and I really like it so, I was considering an ESSE 6 future purchase. I might reconsider the KaBar options with the Jarosz Turok and its thinner blade, though I'm not sure about the tip profile for my 'every day' uses.
 
Sid Post said:
Awesome reply from an actual owner! THANK YOU!

Your post and the comments above have me convinced to skip the ESSE serrations on any future purchase. I have a plain edge ESSE 4HM and I really like it so, I was considering an ESSE 6 future purchase. I might reconsider the KaBar options with the Jarosz Turok and its thinner blade, though I'm not sure about the tip profile for my 'every day' uses.
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well it's my take. keep that in mind. what you like and do can be very different. wait for more owners feedback. also consider mistwalkers as if anyone knows knife designs its him since he designs knives......
 
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