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Plain edge vs Serated edge
- Thread starter Harv
- Start date
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2001
- Messages
- 331
Hello again Harv! HMMMMM?
Well if you have a straight edge in a large knife like a Buck Strider, CRKT M-16, or an AL MAR SERE 2000, you have a good improvised chopper if you need it! But put full serrations in a large knife like a Cold Steel Voyager or CRKT Apache or Seahawk, and you have awesome cutting power!
Geeez! Now I'm confused!
Well, be careful out there!
glockman99
RIP Dann, you were a good guy.
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2000
- Messages
- 21,269
Plain edge. ...Much easier to re-sharpen, and more versatile for "everyday use".
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Dann Fassnacht
Aberdeen, WA
glockman99@hotmail.com
ICQ# 53675663
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Dann Fassnacht
Aberdeen, WA
glockman99@hotmail.com
ICQ# 53675663
SALTY
Gold Member
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2000
- Messages
- 5,806
You are going to find that most of the Forumites prefer plain edges. I tend to go your way with small blades being plain and medium being combo.
You can, as most here know cut fibrous materials with aplain blade by either push cutting with a thin edge or sawing with a rough, but sharp edge.
In smaller blades I like the plain blade because it is well suited for most intended uses of a small knife (envelopes, fruit, a string or thread here and there, etc.) and I don't want to "waste" vlauable blade length with the less than ultimate in versatility of a serrations.
In a larger blade, where I have enough plain edge to push cut cheese, slice an apple, perform food prep, etc. I like a small section serrated. Not just because of its superior performance on fibrous materials like rope (which most people do not cut much of) and cardboard, but because the serrated section gives you more cutting per linear inch of blade than does a plain edge (obviously) but because I can do the rougher, tougher, nastier things with the serrated section and still have a nice fine edged plain blade for the nicer, more delicate cutting and slicing.
Many will say here, and I agree, just carry two knives. A user/beater combo edge (or fully serrated if that's your thing) and a nicer and perhaps smaller, plain edge.
Looking at what I usually grab when staring at the knife drawer I'll pick either a Spyderco Endura or CRK&T M-16 (both combo edged) and the small Sebenza or the BM 940. The users are combo edged and the others are plain. Apples and cheese taste much better when cut with one of these great little knives but while they may be more than capable, the Endura or M-16 just seem better suited for cardboard boxes, (and the risk)catching staples), dirty work and rough work.
Carrying two knives makes sense. Multi tools and SAKs aren't factored into the math because they just "are."
[This message has been edited by Nimrod (edited 02-04-2001).]
You can, as most here know cut fibrous materials with aplain blade by either push cutting with a thin edge or sawing with a rough, but sharp edge.
In smaller blades I like the plain blade because it is well suited for most intended uses of a small knife (envelopes, fruit, a string or thread here and there, etc.) and I don't want to "waste" vlauable blade length with the less than ultimate in versatility of a serrations.
In a larger blade, where I have enough plain edge to push cut cheese, slice an apple, perform food prep, etc. I like a small section serrated. Not just because of its superior performance on fibrous materials like rope (which most people do not cut much of) and cardboard, but because the serrated section gives you more cutting per linear inch of blade than does a plain edge (obviously) but because I can do the rougher, tougher, nastier things with the serrated section and still have a nice fine edged plain blade for the nicer, more delicate cutting and slicing.
Many will say here, and I agree, just carry two knives. A user/beater combo edge (or fully serrated if that's your thing) and a nicer and perhaps smaller, plain edge.
Looking at what I usually grab when staring at the knife drawer I'll pick either a Spyderco Endura or CRK&T M-16 (both combo edged) and the small Sebenza or the BM 940. The users are combo edged and the others are plain. Apples and cheese taste much better when cut with one of these great little knives but while they may be more than capable, the Endura or M-16 just seem better suited for cardboard boxes, (and the risk)catching staples), dirty work and rough work.
Carrying two knives makes sense. Multi tools and SAKs aren't factored into the math because they just "are."
[This message has been edited by Nimrod (edited 02-04-2001).]
I generally prefer plain edged knives. Especially for shorter blades - the shorter the blade, the less use serrates would be to me.
However, a serrated blade can come in handy. But only a partially serrated blade would be useful to me. A combination plain and serrated blade would be much more useful in a variety of situations than a full serrated blade.
However, a serrated blade can come in handy. But only a partially serrated blade would be useful to me. A combination plain and serrated blade would be much more useful in a variety of situations than a full serrated blade.
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2000
- Messages
- 3,625
1. A plain edge can be used to cut anything
2. A serrated edge is more specialized.
3. A serrated edge is easy to sharpen, once you do it right!
4. A serrated edge is more 'scary' and IMHO a better fighting blade.
5. A Combo edge on a less than 3.3 inch blade is a big no no. However it works on my Ka Bar folder 3inch! Different serrations!
6. I began liking fully serrated blades Endura98 and Wayne Goddard, then I went to combo edges. Now I go for a plain edge if possible. It is part of being a KnifeKnut I think. We tend to go for practical rather than fashion. Same with American tanto, used to love it, now I go for clip, spear and drop point only... well mostly! Love my 1095 8inch Tanto fighter!
Hope it helps!
W.A.
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"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto
A few useful details on UK laws and some nice reviews!
http://members.aol.com/knivesuk/
Certified steel snob!
2. A serrated edge is more specialized.
3. A serrated edge is easy to sharpen, once you do it right!
4. A serrated edge is more 'scary' and IMHO a better fighting blade.
5. A Combo edge on a less than 3.3 inch blade is a big no no. However it works on my Ka Bar folder 3inch! Different serrations!
6. I began liking fully serrated blades Endura98 and Wayne Goddard, then I went to combo edges. Now I go for a plain edge if possible. It is part of being a KnifeKnut I think. We tend to go for practical rather than fashion. Same with American tanto, used to love it, now I go for clip, spear and drop point only... well mostly! Love my 1095 8inch Tanto fighter!
Hope it helps!
W.A.
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"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto
A few useful details on UK laws and some nice reviews!
http://members.aol.com/knivesuk/
Certified steel snob!
Mykl Clark
Banned
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2000
- Messages
- 2,714
The only combo edge I'll tolerate in my collection is my BM 42AS. I generally perfer plain edge but do like to caryy at least one fully serrated knife because of the extreme cutting power and serrations are easier to sharpen than plain edges.
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Mykl
Don't think you are...know you are.
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Mykl
Don't think you are...know you are.
My general use knife is a Boye folder straight edge.
My defensive carry knives are mixed, serrated folder, straight fixed.
Through my own practice and testing, I am satisfied with the concept that serrations can enhance the cutting ability and range of uses of the shorter blades, such as are common in folders. As it was pointed out, serrations in some way extend the length of the cutting edge. The dynamics of getting a good cut depend quite a bit upon the quality of the slicing action you make. In my opinion this is more difficult to accomplish with a 4" blade than a 6" blade because the extra length gives you a longer slice. The effective lengthening of the blade through the use of serrations helps offset this.
But long drawing slicing is not the only way a blade can be used. Although I have never had to use a knife to inflict damage, the situations that arise during training have shown me that you cannot depend upon always getting the opportunity to make the long classical cut. Sometimes it's all you can do to just get your blade on your opponent. This is where those little teeth really shine, and bite, and tear, and saw, and rend.
During one class, I was able to get my wooden training model of the Syderco Military on a class mates leg as we grappled. I began to vigorously saw around his leg with it. He stopped and looked at me and asked what I was doing. He had never seen the Military. The class stopped as I announced I was going to draw a live blade. I showed him my serrated Military and he turned white. Training became that much more real that night. Yeah, we all agreed that a straight edge would have produced some serious cuts in that situation, but the serrations would have been much more devastating. There's a reason that buzzsaws have teeth and that steak knives and sharks teeth are serrated, it makes them devastating.
But long knife techniques can be quite different. The length and weight of the blade itself can help create the situation which optimizes it's cutting ability. As can the different ranges. A slightly longer range can give you the opportunity to get that longer cut. So there is less usefullness in serrations.
Hope this helps. These are just my experiences and conclusions. You'll make your own based on your own experiences.
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All you need is love... a sharp blade and a full clip
My defensive carry knives are mixed, serrated folder, straight fixed.
Through my own practice and testing, I am satisfied with the concept that serrations can enhance the cutting ability and range of uses of the shorter blades, such as are common in folders. As it was pointed out, serrations in some way extend the length of the cutting edge. The dynamics of getting a good cut depend quite a bit upon the quality of the slicing action you make. In my opinion this is more difficult to accomplish with a 4" blade than a 6" blade because the extra length gives you a longer slice. The effective lengthening of the blade through the use of serrations helps offset this.
But long drawing slicing is not the only way a blade can be used. Although I have never had to use a knife to inflict damage, the situations that arise during training have shown me that you cannot depend upon always getting the opportunity to make the long classical cut. Sometimes it's all you can do to just get your blade on your opponent. This is where those little teeth really shine, and bite, and tear, and saw, and rend.
During one class, I was able to get my wooden training model of the Syderco Military on a class mates leg as we grappled. I began to vigorously saw around his leg with it. He stopped and looked at me and asked what I was doing. He had never seen the Military. The class stopped as I announced I was going to draw a live blade. I showed him my serrated Military and he turned white. Training became that much more real that night. Yeah, we all agreed that a straight edge would have produced some serious cuts in that situation, but the serrations would have been much more devastating. There's a reason that buzzsaws have teeth and that steak knives and sharks teeth are serrated, it makes them devastating.
But long knife techniques can be quite different. The length and weight of the blade itself can help create the situation which optimizes it's cutting ability. As can the different ranges. A slightly longer range can give you the opportunity to get that longer cut. So there is less usefullness in serrations.
Hope this helps. These are just my experiences and conclusions. You'll make your own based on your own experiences.
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All you need is love... a sharp blade and a full clip