Serrated or Plain Edge, That is the Question.

Well I hope I'm not perceived as a "rabble rouser" but I'm in a bit of a respectful disagreement with many of the good brothers here on this thread. Being a devout Spyderco fan/afficionado/user/collector it is my opinion that a quality serrated blade is essential in many survival cutting chores.

Now I know that many of you in the past have had bad or mediocre experiences using various serrated blades. And I'll be the first to admit that not all serrated blades are created equal. But Spyderco's brilliant serration patterns are some of the most aggressive cutting I ever used. And your talking to a guy that didn't really care for any type of serrated cutlery at one time. But when I got my first Spyderco SE blade ( Mariner) back in 1995 I soon changed my opinion for good and now I'm an avid user of serrated blades for many cutting jobs.

I find both edges to be equally as useful. Now with curved blades like Hawkbills serrated blades really stand out and seem to be better cutting ability due to the constant angle of attack. Cutting stuff like garden hose, radiator hose, leather, heavy vinyl ect, ect. cut much better with a sharp Spyderedged serrated blade. I find that rope and most other fibrous material cuts much better with a serrated blade. But again I stress that it has to be a high quality serration pattern like that of Spyderco's and possibly 2 other knife companies I could mention.

Now where good, high quality, plain edged blades excel I will be the first to admit that there is no substitution for them. But a plain edged blade is only as good as it is sharp. Dull knives are completely useless tools any way you look at it irrespective of what type of edge you have. That's why I preach that no matter what your blade preferences are a knife user needs to learn the skill of sharpening ( serrated and plain edge).

But I respectfully beseech all of you to at least give a high quality serrated blade like a Spyderco with high quality steel a fair trial before you put all serrated blades into a negative category. Because I discovered by using them extensively that the good ones are worth their keep.
 
i buy both styles...i do like my combo blades, my favorite being a buck 110 combo edge...
 
pilote said:
i buy both styles...i do like my combo blades, my favorite being a buck 110 combo edge...
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Hey "pilote" I'm glad you brought up combo edged blades. Because I do use them a lot myself. When I was in the tree business and I would cut and use a lot of rope and I found that a combo edge was truly the best of both worlds when you had to cut and trim climbing line and other ropes. I used my old Benchmade Phil Boguszewski Spike combo edge for about 4 to 5 years and let me tell you that was one rope eating blade and it sure made work a lot easier. Because when working with rope both edge variants were quite helpful in different situations.

Now I don't think that combo edges completely take the place of a highly aggressive, fully serrated blade like a Spyderco Rescue model but they are sure handy for many cutting chores. There are just so many different type of cutting chores that each type of edge variant truly has it's place. Just keep them extremely sharp and you want have problems.
 
JD Spydo said:
...
But I respectfully beseech all of you to at least give a high quality serrated blade like a Spyderco with high quality steel a fair trial before you put all serrated blades into a negative category. Because I discovered by using them extensively that the good ones are worth their keep.
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Well, my experience has been different. I have used Spyderco's serrations, and, while I do find them aggressive, I still prefer plain edges, even for rope cutting.

My preference only, but I find that a properly sharpened plain edge can do anything a properly sharpened serrated edge can do, and most of the time, I find the plain edge does it better.
 
I find way Victorinox has made non-aggressive serations (bread knife serrations) that extend 2/3 of cutting edge from tip leaving 1/3 closest to handle plain. I firstly thought it was idiotic but in use I found it very handy and working. The plain section closest to handle give huge precision for cutting.

Such blade is in One hand sentinel serrated, One Hand Trekker and New Soldier. But generally I favour the plain edge.
 
Do not let everyone scare you witht the whole, serrated is harder to sharpen. It isnt a universal code, just individual opinions.

These vids should give ya a good idea of how both hold up and re-sharpen. Only posting links to part one for each vid, check part 2 out for each one if they tickle your fancy

serrated edge vid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_8hcCnzaOk
Plain edge vid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeIKuDsNWZY

If I had to choose only one to keep for all eternity, it would without a doubt be serrated.
 
A.P.F. said:
And that about sums it up. Up here, a serrated blade is for gardening and a plain edge for woodcraft.
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If you'r ever gonna cut a liine or rope under water, you'll be wasting your time unless you are using a serrated blade. Plain blades have served me better on dry land for more than sixty years, but underwater - - - - - you'll HAVE TO HAVE a serrated blade! At least that's my two cents' worth . . .
 
Grizzly 1 said:
If you'r ever gonna cut a liine or rope under water, you'll be wasting your time unless you are using a serrated blade. Plain blades have served me better on dry land for more than sixty years, but underwater - - - - - you'll HAVE TO HAVE a serrated blade! At least that's my two cents' worth . . .
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I'm curious about this. I have cut wet line and rope with a plain edge, and done it easily. Is there a difference when it is under water verses just being soaking wet?
 
dericdesmond said:
Do not let everyone scare you witht the whole, serrated is harder to sharpen. It isnt a universal code, just individual opinions.

These vids should give ya a good idea of how both hold up and re-sharpen. Only posting links to part one for each vid, check part 2 out for each one if they tickle your fancy

serrated edge vid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_8hcCnzaOk
Plain edge vid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeIKuDsNWZY

If I had to choose only one to keep for all eternity, it would without a doubt be serrated.
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Thanks for bringing up the sharpening aspect of SE blades "dericdesmond". Because I've found that with a little bit of patience and learning how to use 2 of Spyderco's great sharpening tools you can actually get them a little sharper than what comes from the factory. The Spyderco 701 Profile set is probably the best kept sharpening secret in the knife universe. The Profiles have 2 different degree Radii on them that will fit 90% of all the serration scallops out there. And when a person learns to use them they get awesome results.

The ultra-fine stones on the 204 Sharpmaker kit sure put a great edge on plain edged knives and put a great finishing touch on SE blades if you use them slowly.

I understand why a lot of you guys like the Plain Edged blades better. They are less difficult to sharpen and they do tend to have better trade and resale value. But when I learned many of the tricks to using Spyderco's SE blades I soon found out that both edge types are very valuable tools indeed. And Spyderco's serrations are the best I've found from any production knife company.
 
Doesn't the OP want a "survival" knife?

If we take him at his word, how many are going to be packing a Sharpmaker with their survival gear?
 
CWL said:
Doesn't the OP want a "survival" knife?

If we take him at his word, how many are going to be packing a Sharpmaker with their survival gear?
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Many people on the forums have set opinions on set subjects and do not bother to fully read the OP's question. They see one key word and it's up on the soapbox they go.
 
I definitely prefer a plain edge as well, and have the good fortune to be able to spend extensive time in the hills with both. I do, however, like the big locking SAKs with the partially serrated edge.
 
Gadgetaholic said:
The 3 steps to knife happiness:
1. Buy plain edge blades
2. learn to sharpen
3. keep your knives sharp
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That nails it.

Seems like serrations on a heavy camp type knife really get in the way unless they are on the spine--like the Junglee Hattori or the BM Blackwater Nimravus or Presidio. I'm thinking you realy don't want the serrations on the blade near the tang--that is a haevy use and high control area where serrations will just be a pain in the rear when working with materials in the field.

If you don't plan on sharpeneing it, go ahead and get them. If you'll follow the 3 rules to knife happiness above, forget them.

BTW Those are great rules of knife happiness...I'd just add a 4th in the context of hapiness:
4. buy 4, trade 3, and keep 1!
 
CWL said:
Doesn't the OP want a "survival" knife?

If we take him at his word, how many are going to be packing a Sharpmaker with their survival gear?
Click to expand...

Spyderco sells a 4 piece ceramic rod set with leather pouch, which would be easier to pack on a hike, especially if you just took one rod.
 
One point brought up that I believe would clarify the issue is...survival in an urban or wilderness setting?
 
Hi guys -

So, in essence, a sharp saw is better than a knife blade?

A knife is for slicing, a saw is for sawing, and a serrated edge knife is some sort of hybrid, but leans toward the saw end of the spectrum in my opinion.

I have some excellent CutCo blades that are all serrated, and they are great kitchen knives - I can slice with them, or so I thought, I may have been doing some high-precision sawing in reality.

I prefer plain edge for my knives, but keep an open mind about it.

best regards-

mqqn
 
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