Plain or partially serrated blade question

Reason #1:
I sharpen my own knives. I LIKE to sharpen my knives, and I don't stand for anything less than hair popping sharpness.

Reason #2:
There hasn't been any task I run into that specifically calls for a serrated edge.

Reason #3:
Plain edges offers a smoother, easier cut.

Reason #4:
I can achieve the same effect as a serrated edge simply by putting a rough finish on the edge, leaving lots of micro-teeth.
 
tonijedi said:
There is: hard plastics. Try to cut a roll-on deodorant with a plain blade...
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I think I'd prefer a hacksaw to a serrated blade for that purpose. TBH not much of my knife use involves cutting roll-on deodorant - the saw on my LM Wave would also be a better tool for the job.
 
Gadgetaholic said:
I think I'd prefer a hacksaw to a serrated blade for that purpose. TBH not much of my knife use involves cutting roll-on deodorant - the saw on my LM Wave would also be a better tool for the job.
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That was just an example... I don't make my living cutting deodorants :D

What I was talking about is that there is at least one thing that serrations cut that plain blades don't. Imagine you work on construction or something like that and sometimes you need to cut a hose or whatever, there might be people who need them.

I EDC a Wave and it is simply amazing. But it isn't better than a real saw, a real plain blade, a real serrated blade, a set of screwdrivers, etc. It's the old issue of mobility, nothing new about it.

To be honest the serrations never brought me any problem to use a knife. But I also never was in trouble because I needed serrations and just got plain edges. Some people just don't grab a knife because it is serrated and they don't know how to use it, or feel comfortable using it. I'm ok with serrations, I'm ok with plain blades. If it's a skinning knife, cook knife or wood craving knife the serrations will be a bad choice, but for a general knife, say a camping knife, if the knife you want is just available with serrations that's not an issue for me...
 
Noctis3880 said:
Reason #1:
I sharpen my own knives. I LIKE to sharpen my knives, and I don't stand for anything less than hair popping sharpness.

Reason #2:
There hasn't been any task I run into that specifically calls for a serrated edge.

Reason #3:
Plain edges offers a smoother, easier cut.

Reason #4:
I can achieve the same effect as a serrated edge simply by putting a rough finish on the edge, leaving lots of micro-teeth.
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#1 - Agree
#2 - Once I had to cut a plastic hose, but besides that, plain edge was perfect.
#3 - Agree
#4 - Disagree. try to cut a thick rope with a plain edge with a rough finish and try to cut a paper with the same edge. It won't perform good in any of those tasks while the serrations will perform good on both cases.
 
Learn to use your knife and you see cutting that plastic is much, much easier with a sharp plain edge.

I've tried cutting rope with a few serrated edge knives and swore off of them after that. I keep seeing this repeated and like many other thing if people say it enough someone will believe it. Don't! I started looking for test, real test so see of other people had the same results. I've not found a single test where serrated blades came out ahead of a sharp plain edge.

I gave away all of my serrated blade, or threw them away. Some I wouldn't wish on anyone. I've seen many post where people spent big money on highend knives with serrated blade asking if the company will swap the blade for a plain edge. I've yet to see a single post go the other way. :)

If you've carried a serrated blade this long you appearantly learned to live with them, I cannot. The fixed blade version will work the same as the folders you have now.
 
I really do appreciate all the responses. I guess the bottom line is that i really don't use my knives all that much. I have dedicated tools to perform most of my daily chores. I don't have a lot of "field" experiance other than basic camping and again I have dedicated tools for that. I'm not going to chop fire wood with a ESEE-5, thats why I have an axe.

I would like to have a good solid field knife should I need it for unexpected situations. The combo edge seemed to me to offer the most versatility. May have to think this thru a little more. Thanks again all.
 
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All you have to do is type cold steel into YouTube - wtach thier vids to see the blade style that cuts the best. PLAIN EDGE! :thumbup:
 
tonijedi said:
There is: hard plastics. Try to cut a roll-on deodorant with a plain blade...




I understand why people usually prefer plain blades. They use their knives, come home and can resharpen them. If you are a hunter or just use your knife for carving wood then you never need a serrated edge. But serrations, despite all their inconvenient properties (harder to sharpen, worse for fine works) offer versatility in a survival situation. They're going to dull slower and still be useful when dull. They're going to cut into some things like plastics that plain blades have difficulties to go trough (urban survival).

I have both plain and serrated blades (fully serrated - for diving - and half-serrated) and all of them have their place in life :D
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I can BATON through the deodorant with my plain edge! :D
 
It really does not matter too much to me if my blade is half serrated. The serrations do not really get in my way for cutting and are great for starting a cutting spot in the idiot proof packaging everything comes in:D. Then the other plain half can slice threw the rest.

I do not think one is better than the other, just different and to be honest, the decision between the two really comes down to what is available.
 
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Also if you ever need to use the knife in a self deffense role, serations have a tendency to get snagged on clothes when slashing or are difficult to remove when stabbing. Hope to never have to use a knife in this manner but something to consider in the field and elsewhere.
 
I use my knives a lot. both plain or serrated edges, and I don't get any problems with the serrations.
Go to the woods and cut some branches to make a shelter, baton some logs for wood, cut paracord and make some kindling. After look at your edge. If you're using a carbon steel knife, a sandvik Mora or a VG10 it will be the same thing: the edge won't be that sharp.
After that cut the hose or some plastic.
Plain edges are nice, I don't use 100% serrated edges except for diving.
I'm not saying serrations are better than plain edges, sometimes they are.
Some knives only exist with partially serrated edge and I do buy them because the serrations won't make it a worse knife. You just have to know how to use them...
 
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