Serrated or Plain Edge, That is the Question.

A

AuProspector

Joined
Aug 7, 2004
Messages
5
This may sound naive, but for a survival knife, does it matter if the blade has a serrated or a plain edge? Under what circumstances would each be best used?

I'm not into knives but I do enjoy them and I was looking at a Ka-Bar "USMC" with either of these edges... What is your experience/opinion.

Thank you in advance.

AuP.
 
Either will do. Serrations are great for cutting fibrous material. Plain edges are generally thought to be more versatile and easier to sharpen.
 
It has been my experience that a properly sharpened plain edge can do everything a serrated can do. However, most people can't/won't keep a knife sharp and a dull serrated knife will outcut a dull plain edge.

I am not one of those people who lack the skills or will to sharpen my tools so it is plain edge only for me.

When you say survival, do you mean in the great out doors, or city/emergency?
I have never found a use for a serrated blade in the woods, but they would do well for cutting clothing, seat belts, ect.
 
Last edited:
BJE said:
When you say survival, do you mean in the great out doors, or city/emergency?
Click to expand...

Good question. I could find myself in either situation as I live in Colorado but travel to the connecting states and some of the larger cities. So, the answer would be for both.

I would carry it with me in a backpack when I travel.
 
Last edited:
I prefer the plain edge, because its easier to sharpen. It will cut everything just as good as a serrated edge if you keep it sharp.

I'm not a big fan of serrated edge knives. They cut certain things good like thick rope and they are really good for cutting a seatbelt for a emergency knife. Serrated edges are a pain in the butt to sharpen.
 
Serrations stay sharp longer and have a longer cutting edge than plain. If you stretch the linear edge of serrations out, then its about 150% the lenght of a plain. It depends on what you are doing, so try a combo edge out and see if you use the serrations more or the plain tip area.
 
I carry both for EDC (folding though).

I'd say that for most things I can think of using a serrated knife for, a folder is absolutely fine.

With a larger knife, things like chopping and batoning and shaving wood wouldn't really benefit from a serrated edge and would probably not work as well with them
 
this comes up alot and people seem to have their preferences, with or without a reasonable explanation. In survival and bushcraft knives, serrations can be handy, IE for rubbing bark for tinder, notching, cutting fiberous materials such as tendons, skin and meat when skinning, or rope or green vegetation. Some people do not like them for slicing, because it reduces the usable edge by an inch or two. Many high profile serrations will chip right off when the blade is used for chopping, battoning, prying or twisting, but well designed low profile serrations won't get in the way. It all depends on the techniques you use with your knives and what reasons and materials you are using them with. I personally do not mind them and have them on my beater survival knife, but not my slicer.
 
Wherever you are trying to survive, you can always sharpen a plain edge on a rock, bottom of a ceramic mug, even using the the top of a car window glass. Can't do that with a serrated edge.

Plain edge.
 
Serrations are always put on the wrong place on a knife. They should be put on out towards the point and the only one that does that is TOPS on there tactical steak knives which I think would be about the best design in a survival bush knife going. Just my opinion though. For this reason I only carry plain edged knives but will get a TOPS steak knife this year though just to have one. keepem sharp
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top