Plain vs. Serrated Blades

Fritz24

Fritz24

Joined
Aug 4, 2009
Messages
99
Gentlemen,

Looking(and drooling) over the RAT pics here, it seems to me the plain edge blades are pretty overwhelmingly preferred over the (partially)serrated edge.(especially on the RC-4, RC-5, etc.)

I wonder why this is - or if there are any practical, technical reasons, or just a personal preference, etc. Any thoughts and input greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
 
It's because all the "pros" like plain blades. They think it makes them a part of the elitist crowd or something. I don't mind serrated edges at all, just not on knives I'm going to be using for battoning and chopping. EDC folder or a rescue knife for example, I'd want to have serrations on my knife. If I'm jumping and my chute fails, it is 100 times easier to cut paracord with serrated edges than it is a plain one. Serrations definitely have their place-its just that if in a community like this a few respected people say they don't like serrations for a particular reason, it doesn't take long before the rest of the community is in agreement. The biggest complaint I hear is you can do everything with a plain blade as you can with a combo one, it just may take longer-whereas if you have a combo edge it can get in the way of some tasks, IE chopping and battoning or skinning, as it can get caught up or chip. Plain, combo and fully serrated edges all have their place. They all do what they are meant to do-cut.
 
Plain edge is easier to sharpen and maintain, I also think it looks better than a combo edge. I'm not a "pro" in an "elitist crowd", I buy what I like and buy according to my uses. It's my money, I'm not going to spend it on something I don't like, I think PayetteRucker is forgetting people have different opinions on this... I don't find serrations practical, not for my uses. In the end, it boils down to personal preference and you buy what you like.
 
Thanks - I'm not sure about knife "elitists" or what have you, but I ask because I have a variety of partially serrated blades(folders) that I have used for many years, and realize as time goes on that I almost never "need" the serrations. Then, as I said, in viewing the pics here and elsewhere, it seems many opted for a plain edge, particularly for a hard-use knife.
 
Fritz24 said:
Thanks - I'm not sure about knife "elitists" or what have you, but I ask because I have a variety of partially serrated blades(folders) that I have used for many years, and realize as time goes on that I almost never "need" the serrations. Then, as I said, in viewing the pics here and elsewhere, it seems many opted for a plain edge, particularly for a hard-use knife.
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Yeah most people tend to go with a plain edge, because they find they don't have a use for serrations. FWIW, RAT serrations actually look like they'd be somewhat easier to maintain than other variations out there.

BTW, welcome to Blade Forums and the RC sub-forum. You'll find lots of valuable information here and a somewhat friendly and entertaining community. :thumbup:
 
I'm under the impression that most people who object to serrations don't necessarily dislike serrations but they don't care for partially serrated blades because there isn't enough plain/serrated edge to be useful and the serrations take up the part of the blade that is most useful for carving/whittling. At best, a partially serrated blade is a compromise.
 
Grump said:
I'm under the impression that most people who object to serrations don't necessarily dislike serrations but they don't care for partially serrated blades because there isn't enough plain/serrated edge to be useful and the serrations take up the part of the blade that is most useful for carving/whittling. At best, a partially serrated blade is a compromise.
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That is a really good way to put it. I was going to say that I don't care for most serrated blades because it tends to be troublesome when I am trying to do fine or delicate work. And a lot of people fine them tough to sharpen out in the bush. I do like the serrated blade on my Vic Multitool a lot, thou I would never try to carve anything with it. I simply prefer a plain edge.

Of course it isn't likely that anyone is going to get me to jump out of a prefectly good airplane anytime soon either, if I was, I might have a different opinion about serrated blades.
 
Aknife wrote " I think PayetteRucker is forgetting people have different opinions on this"

No PayetteRucker is right on point. I have seen the posts from these snobby elitists and their followbots that jump on their bandwagons with them. These people come on the forums and write things like serrated edges are usless and there is nothing a serrated edge can do that a straight edge cannot.

They also chime in that knife company offerings in serrated edges are a waste and should be dc'd. They indirectly imply that your choosing a serrated edge makes you an idiot or a mall ninja.

No Aknife I think it is those plain edge bots that are the ones that need to remember "people have different opinions on this" it is high time someone expressed their discomfort.

I like both plain edge and serrated on a knife I like one or the other. I am not a fan of combo but I don't put anyone down who choose to have a little of both on their knives and I am certainly aware that serrated and plain edges both have their strengths and weaknesses.
 
greater, interpret how you will, but calling others that dislike Combo edges/serrated blades snobby elitists is out of line. It doesn't belong here, go to W&C and rant all you want. If you like what you spend your money on than that's good, however I do not appreciate being ridiculed because of my blade preferences. I also do not appreciate you taking my post out of context and imply that I am saying things that I am not. Go elsewhere if you want to flame. :thumbdn:
 
I think plain edge and serrated edge knives both suck.:D

Lets try to keep the disscussion on this overwhelmingly important, life or death topic civil guys.;)
 
I'm not trying to OFFEND ANYBODY AKnife, especially in here. You're off the hook because you actually USE your knives and know what you want in one. I'm talkin about the guys that have 5,000 dollars in titanium framed liner locks behind a glass case and as greater said, snob down at people with considerable professional experience with edged tools/weapons for using a knife with serrations and sadly in the general forums that's most of what you get. And AKnife, I don't forget that people have varying opinions on anything. I didn't even take a side, I just stated the way I saw the argument. I have fixed blades of all sizes with both combo and plain edges, as well as folders. They all have their uses, and I don't seem to prefer either or. To me it shouldn't even be a preference, I carry 2-3 knives when I hit the trails anyway and one of em is a Kabar Warthog II that proudly sports a serrated edge.
 
PayetteRucker said:
I'm not trying to OFFEND ANYBODY AKnife, especially in here. You're off the hook because you actually USE your knives and know what you want in one. I'm talkin about the guys that have 5,000 dollars in titanium framed liner locks behind a glass case and as greater said, snob down at people with considerable professional experience with edged tools/weapons for using a knife with serrations and sadly in the general forums that's most of what you get. And AKnife, I don't forget that people have varying opinions on anything. I didn't even take a side, I just stated the way I saw the argument. I have fixed blades of all sizes with both combo and plain edges, as well as folders. They all have their uses, and I don't seem to prefer either or. To me it shouldn't even be a preference, I carry 2-3 knives when I hit the trails anyway and one of em is a Kabar Warthog II that proudly sports a serrated edge.
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It's all good man.
 
I like plain blades for the most part. It's good to know that since I like plain blades I'm better than everyone else, and a pro to boot! I think I will make a new sig line that says "Hi. I'm Jeff Randall. I like plain edge blades so I'm better than you are. In fact, I'm such an elitist that I don't think you should even be allowed to breath air from my space" What a freakin' joke :D
 
R.A.T. said:
I like plain blades for the most part. It's good to know that since I like plain blades I'm better than everyone else, and a pro to boot! I think I will make a new sig line that says "Hi. I'm Jeff Randall. I like plain edge blades so I'm better than you are. In fact, I'm such an elitist that I don't think you should even be allowed to breath air from my space" What a freakin' joke :D
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I concur.

Cheerio old chap. :D
 
I'm just pokin' fun at this. I understand what PayetteRucker is talking about and agree. There are folks that get wound way too tight about certain things and think that's the only way it can be.
 
Fritz24 said:
Gentlemen,

Looking(and drooling) over the RAT pics here, it seems to me the plain edge blades are pretty overwhelmingly preferred over the (partially)serrated edge.(especially on the RC-4, RC-5, etc.)

I wonder why this is - or if there are any practical, technical reasons, or just a personal preference, etc. Any thoughts and input greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Click to expand...


Serrations can be useful for fibrous materials & tendons & ligaments of game animals (and other things as well I'm sure).

My sales ratio is about 60% plain edge to about 40% for partially serrated.

The serrations on a RAT knife are sharpened just like the rest of the blade which is a BIG advantage.

It really comes down to what you will be mainly using the knife for & under what conditions. Most feel that a SHARP plain edge knife will fill the bill for most anything. But.. If you are in a situation where you can't or don't keep a plain edge sharp, the partially serrated edge may be of benefit.

Here is a closeup of the way RAT Cutlery does their serrations.
 
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