new fixed blade... serrated or plain edge

Chett · Jul 6, 2005

im getting a new 12 inch ka-bar(1217, 1218) and i obviously spend a lot of time in the woods. A lot of the time on fixed blades i like plain better but i want a good all around knife even if i might not have another serated knife on me. What do the rest of you think?

1gailt · Jul 6, 2005

I would go with the p.e. it would be easier to sharpen.if I thought there was a need for serated I would get a spyderco spyderedge folder. either a calypso jr. or a native to go along with the kabar.

CPettersen · Jul 6, 2005

Go with a plain edge, in my opinion. I have no use for serrated edges. I agree with 1gailt (good to see you

) Much easier to sharpen in the field.

ANGRYMOB · Jul 6, 2005

CPettersen said:
Go with a plain edge, in my opinion. I have no use for serrated edges. I agree with 1gailt (good to see you ) Much easier to sharpen in the field.

Well, a serrated edge will do alot better on some jobs, but, I can't sharpen one, so I'd probably say straight edge.

Peter La · Jul 6, 2005

In the woods, I highly doubt you will need a serrated edge. I have found serrations useful only when working around wet webbing/cordage (boating).

CPettersen · Jul 6, 2005

ANGRYMOB said:
Well, a serrated edge will do alot better on some jobs, .

You are correct, as the old saying goes: use the right tool for the right job. Serrations to me are good for tearing into certain material (i.e. webbing,cord,). In an outdoor sense, I would prefer to have a plain edge and a small folding saw.

I am not saying serrations are "useless", just I have no use for them.

fudo · Jul 7, 2005

PE-more versatile, easier to sharpen.

Franciscomv · Jul 7, 2005

Plain edge all the way. It's easier to sharpen, more versatile.

Cliff Stamp · Jul 7, 2005

Peter La said:
In the woods, I highly doubt you will need a serrated edge.

They work well on a wide variety of non-woody vegetation. You can get the same performance with a plain edge which is thinned and left with a rougher finish of course. I would get a plain edge personally, and get a CU/7, RD7 or Camp Tramp over the Ka-Bar.

-Cliff

Chett · Jul 7, 2005

yeah i agree with the info about the p.e. but when i meant the woods i didnt make it clear really, the "woods" im refering to also includes a pretty large lake (for a secluded one) and that means boating will be involved.