-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
need advice: serrated vs regular
- Thread starter SeeTOPh
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2005
- Messages
- 19,385
The Axis lock on Benchmades is very good and easy to close with one hand. Take a look at the Barrage or Mini-Barrage.
I would definitely consider two knives and include one that is fully serrated such as a Spyderco Endura or Delica to be used mostly on clothing. But these don't have blunt tips. The Victorinox SAKs such as the Dual Pro has two blades (one with a fine serration with blunt tip and other plain). Useful. But the steel used on Vic SAKs will require re-sharpening periodically.
I would definitely consider two knives and include one that is fully serrated such as a Spyderco Endura or Delica to be used mostly on clothing. But these don't have blunt tips. The Victorinox SAKs such as the Dual Pro has two blades (one with a fine serration with blunt tip and other plain). Useful. But the steel used on Vic SAKs will require re-sharpening periodically.
colubrid
Gold Member
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2005
- Messages
- 5,134
I agree .. ditch that sharpener.
Also with the serreated adge you won't have to sharpen it as much. serrated edges go a long way!
Spyderco makes the best serrated edge. Maybe think about getting a Spyderco Salt with serrated edge. The Salt uses H1 steel and is the most rustprrof steel there is. In my travels around the world a serrated with a steel that does not rust(especially in humid areas and or places that the blade gets wet and stay wet). A high end super steel that is hard to sharpen (and it appears as though you don't have experience with that) is NOT the blade you should take with you. Most like the D2 rusts very quick on my travels and has no practical use while travelling abroad.
Petunia D. Feeble
I sharpen things.
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2016
- Messages
- 4,695
Whatever knife you get, ditch that dinky sharpening thing and take something better. For travels, I'd say get an edge pro knockoff from ebay for $20 and upgrade the stones.
They function well, work quick, pack easily, don't weigh anything and will make you a rockstar to anyone else there with a blade.
Buy a real one for home of course.
They function well, work quick, pack easily, don't weigh anything and will make you a rockstar to anyone else there with a blade.
Buy a real one for home of course.
I would also go with ti benchmade triage. I love mine and use it at work. I only use one with a serration though as I have had to cut people down that are trying to hang them selves and it helps a ton (cop).
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
ATJ999
Gold Member
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
- Messages
- 2,112
As for sharpeners, Get a pocket spyderco cermic (or black/surgical arkansas stone), and a credit card DMT extra fine diamond. That is my go to, on the go sharpeners, especially when the DMT diamond gets worn in, to the point where you can shave hair in less than a minute after starting sharpening. Anyways, back to knives. I used to use partial serrated, but when I got into customs, switched to plain. They are both great. I recommend getting both and see what you like best, everyone is different. Or get one full seratted and one plain, whatever. I will say that between fishing, farm work, tracking, the hospital, etc. My framelock flippers never let me down. Even my linerlocks work great. Even in Nitril gloves, the hot Vinyl gloves that get your hands all sweaty, or deer hide gloves, my framelock flippers work like champs.
Just a thought, but stainless damascus might be good. After some use, it starts to form little micro serrations, giving it some good cutting ability. It is easy to sharpen and holds a good edge.
Just a thought, but stainless damascus might be good. After some use, it starts to form little micro serrations, giving it some good cutting ability. It is easy to sharpen and holds a good edge.
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2013
- Messages
- 5,648
All that previous things being said, my opinion is you have a number of options available that cover all your needs
Auto, easy to clean, rustproof, blunted tip to avoid injuring people ---> Spyderco Autonomy
Or a combination of a SE Spyderco Salt and a plain edge, be it the two sclapel like blades from a SAK (very easy to sharpen even on a rock, almost rust proof, non threatening)/Multitool that will add versatility to your overall package, many of them having additional scissors or cutting tools among other useful implements (screwdrivers, can opener...)
Auto, easy to clean, rustproof, blunted tip to avoid injuring people ---> Spyderco Autonomy
Or a combination of a SE Spyderco Salt and a plain edge, be it the two sclapel like blades from a SAK (very easy to sharpen even on a rock, almost rust proof, non threatening)/Multitool that will add versatility to your overall package, many of them having additional scissors or cutting tools among other useful implements (screwdrivers, can opener...)
I don't have any brilliant insight with regard to to the plain vs serrated debate (although I haven't carried a serrated blade in almost 20 years, which should give you some idea where I fall on that issue), but I do question the use of an auto. More moving parts to clog up with dirt, sand, or blood in circumstances that may make regular maintenance difficult. Not to mention that in many locales automatics are always seen as weapons, which means an auto may not even make it through customs at your destination.
Were I you, I think I'd be looking at a smallish fixed blade. If you do decide to go serrated, Spyderco makes a serrated sheepsfoot version of its Enuff fixed blade which might be ideal. Otherwise, it also makes two non-serrated variants of the Enuff. All available for just a bit over $100.
And I applaud your service. DWB is an outstanding organization. :thumbup:
Were I you, I think I'd be looking at a smallish fixed blade. If you do decide to go serrated, Spyderco makes a serrated sheepsfoot version of its Enuff fixed blade which might be ideal. Otherwise, it also makes two non-serrated variants of the Enuff. All available for just a bit over $100.
And I applaud your service. DWB is an outstanding organization. :thumbup:
once again, thanks guys. im getting so much good info on here and its much appreciated....especially about the pull-thru, time to return it or just junk it, it was only $20 anyways. and people are suggesting i get a knife specific "triage type" knife but im trying to avoid anything thats limiting or for a specific task, just a good all around blade that i can EDC and know itll work for anything. ive been told that i could be anywhere at anytime and theres a chance ill be called into action, so to speak. they said its not even smart to drink even off the clock because doctors in such short supply where i going that im never actually off the clock....are partially serrated worth it? is it one of those compromises where you get the WORST of both worlds or one where you get the BEST of both worlds?
thanks man, id like to say im doing it to help my fellow man but to be honest with you i have to take a year away from my residency because i was in a motorcycle wreck a couple months ago, had skin grafts, couple other surgeries and i wont physically be able to start on time and itll be a while before i can stand long enough to make it thru some of the surgeries ill be in the room for as well. youd think being out in the boonies of africa somewhere would be tougher but ive been told ill have free reign on how to perform any surgeries, i wont have to be on my feet for more than a couple hours at a time, which is the biggest issue for me. im good for an hour or two, i can even work out and play basketball and everything, its just literally the simple act of standing still that i cant tolerate. i messed up my circulation and my legs swell up like balloons if im not walking around. also, i dont have kids or a wife, so what better time to see the world, knock off some of my loans, and do a little good for some people who need it. ...and what your saying about customs, ive been told that people that are apart of NGO's or are volunteering and dont have a military background can get away with bringing quite a bit into the country. and if not i can always suitecase it or plug it, if ya know what i mean.
Where would I get a replacement stone and what kinds? Would you be able to send me links of what exactly you think i should buy? I already spent $20 on what is apparently a piece of shit pull thru and i dont want to waste anymore money. man, the things ive had to spend money on for this freaking trip are bleeding me dry. even though med school put me over $200K in the whole with loans i was able to completely pay off all my unsecured debt like credits cards and lines of credit but this little excursion has caused me to dip back into my one emergency credit card i left myself, its so annnoying
- Joined
- May 5, 2013
- Messages
- 3,618
Im new to the knife world and dont have much experience so i need some advice on whether to get a serrated vs regular edge knife and the pros/cons of each. My situation/needs are that Im headed to Africa for Docs without borders and I need an EDC (every day CUTTER, cause im not just gonna be carrying it). Outside of the normal every day tasks everyone uses their folder for, im will most likely be cutting clothes off and cutting tourniquets in emergent cases. im gonna be using this instead of the ugly and bulky medical shears you always see med profs using. its gonna be an auto because that will be easier to handle with gloves on that could possibly be bloody and/or ill-fitting. I know serrated are more difficult to sharpen and i going to need it to be super sharp, i actually bought the sharpener in the picture (this is my first post so i dont know how its going to show up) for said task as i wont be able to have someone else do it while im there. So knowing what ill be using it for and that ill have to sharpen it myself, what does everyone think i should get? regular or serrated? i appreciate guys, yalls advice is much appreciated
For what you will be doing, a knife with serrations is absolutely the best way to go.
Not all serrations are equally effective, so you should look into which type/style of serration works the best. (Can't help there, I don't have enough knives with serrations)
That sharpener you bought it not the best idea.
I am not going to get specific, you can research the reason, but you would be much better off with a simple stone/rod system.
Yes, you will have to learn how to use it, but It's well worth it.
- Joined
- May 5, 2013
- Messages
- 3,618
Buy a Spyderco Sharpmaker.
It's really not that expensive.
It's very portable, and with a little trial and error you should be able to easily sharpen serrated blades as well as straight edges.
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2013
- Messages
- 5,648
Any of these combos offers different styles of edges, of serrations, of sizes, shapes, and an incredible wide array of implements and abilities to perform almost any task. All together, less than $80.
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2000
- Messages
- 1,363
Frankly, I would go with a Leatherman Charge TTi. Most of Africa is broken so everything needs fixing. The Charge has both straight and serrated blades plus a few more like needle nosed pliers... scissors too.
If you want more then a Spyderco straight edge too for front pocket as your private EDC.
An Auto will just get broken, gunked up. I always say the time it takes to open a folding knife is thinking time to how to get the job done efficiently and safely. (If something is pumping juice then put your knee on it, while you think WTF, and work out what has to be done).
A Smiths 3 in 1 Sharpeniing system has all the sharpening stuff you need and isn't too expensive. Or a DMT Diafold (blue/red) and a lether strop with chrome paste.
Last thing for Africa, don't pack too much, just what you need. Nothing flashy or expensive. Big dufflebag and a daysack. A filter bottle system is a good thing to pack too (look at Grayl and Aquamira (viral)).
If you want more then a Spyderco straight edge too for front pocket as your private EDC.
An Auto will just get broken, gunked up. I always say the time it takes to open a folding knife is thinking time to how to get the job done efficiently and safely. (If something is pumping juice then put your knee on it, while you think WTF, and work out what has to be done).
A Smiths 3 in 1 Sharpeniing system has all the sharpening stuff you need and isn't too expensive. Or a DMT Diafold (blue/red) and a lether strop with chrome paste.
Last thing for Africa, don't pack too much, just what you need. Nothing flashy or expensive. Big dufflebag and a daysack. A filter bottle system is a good thing to pack too (look at Grayl and Aquamira (viral)).
good thinking on the filter system, never really thought about that. But as often as my dad gets the $h!ts out there I probably should have. Hes a geologist and has lived there for the past 3 years. Not in the same country im going to be but close enough, at least he knows what i need to bring and stuff. One of the best things about that is anything i need shipped over his company will priority him anything he needs/wants for free, doesnt matter the size or weight and if its work related or personal. One of the perks they give him to keep him happy while hes there cause apparently no one in his company will stay longer than a month
Any of these combos offers different styles of edges, of serrations, of sizes, shapes, and an incredible wide array of implements and abilities to perform almost any task. All together, less than $80.
I like the hawkbill. Pretty cool looking and it seems like it would work well for what id need cause its probably going to involve more controlled pulling cuts than anything else. I know theres tools/knives that are made specifically for medics and stuff that are built specifically for cutting seatbelts and clothes and stuff, but i dont want to carry something specific, i want to carry something general, and im not actually going to be a medic there im going to be in the office probably 75% of the time, occasionally making house calls and ever more rarely going into the bush for emergency. I mean it will happen but not like an every day thing, so i just want to carry something i like, thats comfortable, cool looking, light, reliable, does what i need and when i pull it out i just look at it and think "bad ass!!!"
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2000
- Messages
- 1,363
Bad ass in Africa is a machete.
Anything that looks overly military, or even "bad ass cool" is likely to be confiscated/lost at customs. You don't state the country, you don't know the local laws. Don't bring attention to yourself.
My son has just travelled around the world aged 19; not Africa but he did do India. He took a SAK Huntsman, and that was plenty. The rest is just getting aware of your surroundings and basic good manners etiquette. Getting sunstroke or getting hit by a car are the things to worry about the first few weeks.
Anything that looks overly military, or even "bad ass cool" is likely to be confiscated/lost at customs. You don't state the country, you don't know the local laws. Don't bring attention to yourself.
My son has just travelled around the world aged 19; not Africa but he did do India. He took a SAK Huntsman, and that was plenty. The rest is just getting aware of your surroundings and basic good manners etiquette. Getting sunstroke or getting hit by a car are the things to worry about the first few weeks.
Last edited:
