Modifying a saw-tooth edge?

[Zeasor]

I am considering modifying a saw-tooth edge by taking off the top corners (right and left) of the teeth such that a tooth takes on a triangular shape when viewed from a cross section. Do you suppose the blade would cut any better with such a profile?

Here is a picture of the blade.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

I doubt it could cut any worse that it does now. Those teeth are useless.

 

[Dog of War]

The biggest problem with sawtooth spines on knives like this is that none I've ever seen have a kerf (i.e. alternate teeth offset left and right) like a real saw. So even if you sharpened the teeth properly, if you were trying to saw wood with it for example, the thing would bind like hell as soon as it starts to cut.

I don't see any way to easily fix this problem. Taking off the corners wouldn't, and I think might actually lose you some of the aggressiveness you get from the corners being square.

 

[dscheidt]

The biggest problem with sawtooth spines on knives like this is that none I've ever seen have a kerf (i.e. alternate teeth offset left and right) like a real saw.

That's set. A kerf is the gap left in the thing you're cutting, the size of which is determined largely by the set of saw's teeth. I couldn't get the picture to load, but I take it this is a saw on the spine of largish fixed knife, and not an actual saw?

 

[Zeasor]

...I take it this is a saw on the spine of largish fixed knife, and not an actual saw?

Yes. It appears to be a very crude saw. I've seen it described as a "root" saw. The teeth are rectangular and as wide (side to side) as the stout spine of the knife. A side view of the teeth shows the tops to be rounded.

 

[Dog of War]

That's set. A kerf is the gap left in the thing you're cutting, the size of which is determined largely by the set of saw's teeth. I couldn't get the picture to load, but I take it this is a saw on the spine of largish fixed knife, and not an actual saw?

Thanks, you're absolutely right, dscheidt. Having cabinetmakers in the family, I remember that I used to know that ... which means my only excuse is premature senility, I guess.

 

[dscheidt]

Thanks, you're absolutely right, dscheidt. Having cabinetmakers in the family, I remember that I used to know that ... which means my only excuse is premature senility, I guess.

I'll point out that there are some cabinetmaking saws that have teeth with no set. They're on saws with a taper backwards from what you have on a knife -- the spine is thinner than the cutting edge. I'm not sure what the purpose is. It may be that the teeth are stronger, because they're not bent, which is how you set set on a normal saw. It may be they can get away with less taper, which means you can make finer cuts.

 

[Hard H2O]

I would try taking alternating corners off. Take the left off from one and the right off from the next and so on. As has been said saw teeth are sometimes bent alternatingly left and right.

I think what you are talking about is making them into a serrated edge that is centered on the blade.

I am thinking something along these lines:

 

[Tim Horan]

Heres another example of saw teeth. Self cleaning and really sharp. Please excuse the leather bits.... She likes to gnaw on her sheath