Serrated knives, why do you need them?

[Skar]

I don't have any serrated knives and I really like the way they cut through rope and the like.
I need to have at least 1.
I really was avoiding them because I didn't want to sharpen one.

 

[sabre cat]

I don't have any serrated knives and I really like the way they cut through rope and the like.
I need to have at least 1.
I really was avoiding them because I didn't want to sharpen one.

A Sharpmaker makes serrated blades easy work.

I don’t need a serrated knife on an everyday basis but, I am like you, I need to have at least one.

One of my Griptilians has a combo edge and I have two multi-tools that offer fully serrated blades. Both MTs are modified Gerbers. One is a MP400 and the other is a MP600.

 

[Skar]

A Sharpmaker makes serrated blades easy work.

I don’t need them on an everyday basis but, I am like you, I need to have at least one.

One of my Griptilians has a combo edge and I have two multi-tools that offer fully serrated blades. Both MTs are modified Gerbers. One is a MP400 and the other is a MP600.

I'm thinking of a native 5 salt or salt 2 wharncliff se.
Leaning more towards the native.

The sharpmaker doesn't seem to work for me well.
I cannot really see that it's effective, I seem to rely more on manual sharpening.

I'm going to wait till the next pay check..
I've been buying alot lately., the wife may start slapping me.

 

[Velitrius]

The sharpmaker doesn't seem to work for me well.
I cannot really see that it's effective, I seem to rely more on manual sharpening.

There are some knives I manually sharpen, but most of them are easily handled by the Sharpmaker. I find it very effective.

Serrations are especially easy for me on the Sharpmaker as well. There are some serration patterns that won't do well on it, but not many.

My son sharpens the serrated blade on his LM Wave every time he's home. It's a pretty bulletproof method for him too.

 

[sabre cat]

...I've been buying alot lately., the wife may start slapping me.

I understand. I have had two knives arrive in 48 hours.

My wife got to the mailbox before I did this morning. I had some explaining to do.

 

[PeaceInOurTime]

Serrated blades don't float everyone's boat, but they are absolutely useful. You don't have to "choose sides" here, you can find utility in both.

When I carry a serrated blade, shallower, more wavy serrations work best for me. Last year, I only used serrated knives for my everyday cutting -- I learned just how useful they are and that I can do all of my everyday cutting with them, in many cases better than a plain edge. Sometimes I prefer the way plain edges cut, sometimes the "grab" of serrated edges works better. This doesn't have to be a controversial topic.

I think the main reason people hate on serrations is that they haven't used "good" serrations. Find a model with shallow, wavy, less pointy serrations as these work best. Spyderco has many to choose from.

Additionally, I think most people have no clue how to sharpen them. Actual sharp serrations are phenomenal and not difficult to sharpen.

These are some (poorly made ) videos I made last year. They show many of the pros and cons of serrations.

 

[bigfish]

And they use steak knives with the ends snapped off or something?

I heard that somewhere.

Yes sir, you heard correct, those steak knives with the point broken of are simply the best. They are very thin and we keep em razor sharp.

 

[The Whip]

Every once in a great while, a manufacturer will offer two blades, giving the owner some options.

I'm not sure why the idea doesn't catch on. But it must not resonate with buyers, given how seldom we see such knives.

Personally, I think this is a poor compromise that doesn't meet either the plain or serrated need adequately.

That doesn't mean I won't carry a partially serrated knife occasionally. But most of the time I prefer plain, serrated, or both.


-Steve

 

[sabre cat]

Every once in a great while, a manufacturer will offer two blades, giving the owner some options.

I'm not sure why the idea doesn't catch on. But it must not resonate with buyers, given how seldom we see such knives.

Personally, I think this is a poor compromise that doesn't meet either the plain or serrated need adequately.

That doesn't mean I won't carry a partially serrated knife occasionally. But most of the time I prefer plain, serrated, or both.


-Steve

I prefer plain edges or fully serrated blades over combo edges, personally.

Not because combo edges are bad. More because they don’t offer a large enough area for the plain cutting edge.

Victorinox offers a combo blade with the serrations on the front portion of the blade. In some respects, that makes more sense than having serrations at the rear.

I guess it just depends upon the knife and how it will be used.

 

[desmobob]

It's hard to base an opinion on experience with a serrated steak knife at the dinner table or the very common partially-serrated blades that are some people's first entry into the EDC category (it was mine).

A fully serrated blade like the one on a Cold Steel Voyager or a Spyderco Salt is an impressive thing to wield on rope/cordage/line! Looking at fully-serrated hawkbill knives makes me shudder.

 

[betzner]

And then there is the SERRATED blade that is obviously not for use in the kitchen. Best for outdoors or war......