plain edge vs. part. serrations

P

pepsiholic

Joined
Oct 5, 1999
Messages
24

Hello, I am new to Bladeforums (9:00 Teus.night) and would like to get some opinions on blade prefferences. I am ordering a Benchmade 710s to upgrade my junky Gerber EZOut. I have always had partially serrated blades in the past and found them pretty handy. I would like to here some pro's and cons from the crowd to guide my next purchase!
 
The most informative thing you can view is the Knife FAQs by Joe Talmadge. It has a special section on the serrated vs. plain edge debate. I can't really add anything to what Joe has written. You can find it by clicking on the pull-down menu at the top of this page and then going to the "Knowledge and Features" site.
 
Thanks cerulean!

The serrated vs plain vs partially-serrated debate has been discussed a lot, and really there's no universal right answer. There's only the right answer FOR YOU! For someone else with different needs, their right answer could be different than yours. You might want to use the search function to look up the old debates.

For me, partially-serrated is my least favorite format, what I consider the worst-of-all-worlds. The biggest problem is that the chisel-ground serrations are out-of-line with the v-ground plain edge. So for jobs on which you wish you had a full 3.5" blade to cut with, instead you have an itty-bitty 2" plain edge next to an itty bitty 1.5" serrated edge. This happens to me often enough that I simply don't like partially-serrated at all.

Typically, I carry a plain edge blade, and I leave the edge coarse if I want serrated-type slicing ability. In the event I really do want a serrated knife (because I'm slicing something very hard, or because I want something that will go a long time between sharpenings), then I'd rather carry a fully-serrated blade specifically for that job. For me, in these cases the best answer is to carry two knives: my regular 4" plain blade, plus a 3" serrated delica.

Joe
jat@cup.hp.com
 
I'm of the same opinion as Joe. In fact I just sold a couple of partially serrated Benchmade knives that I didn't like. I think serrations are good in the following circumstances: for someone who dosen't know how to properly use and sharpen their knife, for specific applications such as a river rescue knife, etc., for someone who feels compelled to grab onto the latest trend as an excuse to buy a new knife. I carry a super sharp drop point Gerber Bolt Action Folder as my everyday knife. It does all I ask of it. I do have a serrated knife on my PFD when I'm in my whitewater canoe.
 
Mr. Talmadge's analysis on the subject is right on the money on all counts.

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James
San Francisco, CA

 
While I don't care for serrated blades myself (except for bread knives in the kitchen) I can tell you that a majority of high end knife buyers prefer them. When our site first went up near the beginning of this year, there was a small preference for plain edges. I forget the exact number actually but I think we sold about 55% plain edges in tactical folders. The pendulum has swung and we now sell about 62% combo blades. We also sell a lot more black blades than we used to as a percentage of the total. Ah, the inexorable march of fashion!

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Fred
Knife Outlet
www.knifeoutlet.com

 
IMO, if you are going to carry only one knife for work then combo is the best bet. The serrated portion can be used for the crappy jobs (like cutting boxes or wire) saving the plain section for finesse work. Personally, I carry two (or more) knives with a tiny, serrated Spyderco Pegasus as the knife for the crap jobs (and a fine little knife it is).

A. Dale McLean
<A HREF="http://www.nt.net/~admclean/Index.htm" TARGET="_blank">ADaM Sharps Cutlery - <FONT COLOR="#FF0000">Canadian</FONT> Knife Dealer</A>

 
I am by no means any kind of expert and am new to the forums myself.
I will say that I personally prefer Plain edges myself for ease of maintenance and such.
Serrations are good and have their place, just not in my modest collection.

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"The bible is no mere book, but a living power that conquers all that oppose it"
*Napoleon Bonaparte

Gal 6:7
 
I prefer part serrations, but that's me. I have a plain blade I carry as well when it calls for it.
 
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