Actual testing of serrated [ se ] vs. plain edge [ pe ] knives on clothed dummies has shown that se's will produce more drag as the teeth are pulled through the material than a pe.
This drag reduces the depth of the cut to some extent and requires more force to get into the same depth as a pe thats scary sharp. If you keep your knife sharp, but not scary sharp the se is likely to perform as well as the pe.
If both are sharpened equally, I'll take the pe every day for getting through leather, wool, nylon and dungaree material. Wool sweaters, try your se on an old wool sweater or nylon. The teeth will grab the material well enough to slow the slash down. It is a way of seeing how the se teeth grab material and though to a lesser degree, other materials as well. Go slow and watch the teeth grab the material. In a quick slashing motion, the same thing is happening but is reduced so it's hard to see by the speed of the slash.
To respond to others about Dixon and Geotz. The were adults in posssesion of illegal firearms. If you are breaking the law and defend yourself with an illegal weapon, the ONLY good thing to come of it is that you may have survived the attack/encounter. You will then be charged with your own crime/crimes. People that can't see that need to realize if that were not charged wit ha crime and forgiven because it was a justified shooting/stabbing many would carry illegally and decide they would only use the weapon to defend with [ isn't that what we carry for to begin with? ]. It would send the message to everyone that it was okay to carry illegal items on or about your person as long as you only used it to defend yourself with.
Thats never going to happen so get over it, you break the law carrying an illegal weapoon, you are lucky to survive with it possibly but then you will be charged for your illegal activities as well. Anyone think that is not fair? The DA did his job, anything less than charging Dixon would be to ignoring his responsibility to us all and his job dictates.
As to blade shape for defensive purposes. It really comes down to what you will be happy with and carry with you daily. Many forms of blade types means that everyone likes something different.
My personal preference for personal defense is to carry a clip point/modified clip point like the MT Socom or Endura type blade. I like pointy tips that are very sharp which lends to better stabbing.
I also like the true clip point Chinook designed by my instructor JAK.
I am also enamored with the karambit type of blade lately but people should keep in mind there are specific moves/techniques required for it which are somewhat different than your normal EDC.
Leaving the area will get you a guilty verdict if caught, hard to say you were right when you "dedemow" [ unass ] out of the area after the fact. Too big a risk for most to take and unnecessary if the self defense is good [ and you can articulate reasonably why you did what you did to defend yourself ]. Not good advice at the least of it.
I also would suggest a serious defensive knife be made from the best steel you can afford and not the 440/china cutlery stuff thats out there. Throwaways? Why, if I'm thinking about throwing the knife away after I use it, that might go to mindset before the fact with a DA and jury if they were to find out. I'm not about to trust my life to junk in the off chance I might get to throw it away after the fact in lieu of facing the aftermath of a self defense situation.
Thats like saying I should own a junk car that barely runs because if I get into an accident I won't feel so bad when I have to buy another.
On the contrary, I would suggest you look at as many different knife designs and knives as you can. Handle them all and one or more will "whisper" to your hand. Close your eyes and let your hand "feel" the knife. It will tell you if it likes it and has enough ergonomics for your build/handsize.
If carried for defensive needs, the knife needs to be quick to get into play from the pockets. Some models lend themselves better to this aspect and my own preference for pure speed of presentation is tip down on a good linerlock, though I'm always aware of the linerlocks fragility in possible release of the lock during strenuous/heavy duty work. Something to be watchful for.
I had stopped carying linerlocks for awhile lately and went to lockbacks designs which are for the most part stronger and less prone to accidental release of the lock under extreme circumstances. I'm back today with carrying the MT Socom, one of my all time favorites along with the Military model from Sypderco. Very fast at presentation and ready for action as soon as I touch it on the pocket.
Good luck in your quest. Try many in the hand if you can, then you'll get a "feel" for what you like. Let the hand dictate what it likes, you'll be better off in the long run than just getting something becuase you like the looks.
Where defense of my person is at stake, no compromises in steel, overall fit and finish, ergonomics, dependability can be allowed. If I lose a 400.00 custom in defense of my person and it performs as I expected it to and saved my bacon, I'd be happy to go out and buy another one after all was said and done.
Brownie
