Serrated or Plain Edge, That is the Question.

Plain edge for me.

The only serrations I like are on my bread knives.

Something I believe no one has mentioned yet is that serrations are natural "weak-points" in a knife in terms of breakage.

Wouldn't mention it otherwise, but the OP did specifically state use as a survival knife That implies possible gross abuse in my book. (Thinking of the knifetests.com videos where most serrated knives broke early on, almost always on a serration.)
 
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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 have no problem with that, Grizzly. In fact it is sort of spooky the way a straight edge that isn't ground rough, will skate on submerged nylon rope.
 
I've carried Sypercos and BRKTs and other assorted knives over the years and I find the plain edge to work better for me.

Someone suggested getting a combo edge and seeing which part of the blade you use more. That's probably a good suggestion. I have an Endura with a full serrated edge that I will admit now that when I got it many years ago I got it for the intimidation factor of a serrated edge. For me, the serrations only get in the way.

ymmv
 
personally I find plain is better for general use, it's more difficult to cut cleanly with serrated blades (although that could in part be down to how agressive the serrations are)

as a survival knife (in the wilderness sense) is usually an over-built general use knife, plain edge has the advantage, especially when you consider it's added ease of sharpening in the field.

I suppose part-serrated would be an alternative that would get you the best of both worlds. or couple your main knife with a smaller knife that offers one or other option (peronally I would tend towards a PE main knife with an SE secondery)
 
Both edges have value, but when the stuff hits the fan you need versatility, not specialty in your tools. Go with a well made plain edge fixed blade. I you feel deprived, get a good serrated folder and slip it into your pocket. Wanna take bets which one you will reach for first when things get serious?
 
Ive always found that plain edged knives are way more useful and practical than serrated knives. for carving and whittling a serrated blade is a bit hard to use and wont acheive the same results.

If your going to get a knife with serrations i suggest you look at what some companies such as rat use for serrations, :http://www.ratcutlery.com/rc-3mil.htm low profile and easy to sharpen you can still use them to carve and whittle for the most part.

Combo edged knives have become quite popular as of late, espeacially with the tacticool market where some companies only make combo edged blade but id hazard to say that a good 8/10 experienced knife users espeacially those with alot of times out in the woods would tell you that plain edged is the way to go.

Also might i suggest that even better than having the best knife is having the best training, it would allow you to have your own opinions on this matter which in the end is really just a users preference regardless of what some of the more opinionated people on this forum might tell you.
 
It really depends on what jobs your knife will be used on. For me functionality comes first and then the form - plain edges are suitable for general stuff and slicing and can be really good slicers, while serrated edges can gnaw through tough stuff like ropes, thick cardboard, etc.

Its really a matter of "using the right tool for the job", and not which is better. :-)

-Amarendra
 
Plain edge for your main knife, but with an SE backup. Use your PE more, and only bust out the SE for tasks that require that pure aggression, fast. For example, cutting seat belts.

I also love the Victorinox serration pattern. It's more easily sharpened, and the PE section is more useful than that of other CE blades.
 
I think of it this way: in a few situations a serrated edge performs better then a plain edge, but a plain edge can still get the job done. But in some situations* a serrated edge does not work well at all and is an inferior tool compared to a plain edge. So if a plain edge is easier to sharpen and can do everything a serrated edge can do (while a serrated edge can not do everything a plain edge can do*), IMO the plain edge is a better all-around tool.

*: At least for me, I just can't do delicate wood work with a serrated edge.
 
"inferior tool compared to a plain edge"...that is a narrow minded generalization...

i like serrations because i want something cut fast, and usually that means a crude and aggressive rip; in the majority of utility work situations, that is exactly what i want...

if i want to slice, carve or whittle of course i will favor a plain edge

and when camping...in camp i want a plain edge...outside of camp i prefer a combo edge; i use those serrations to saw away at lots of stuff out there...

sharpening serrations is not an issue; i have a sharpmaker and take the time to do it...if you're lazy to sharpen serrations, well that's your issue...
 
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Please enlighten my narrow mind and explain how to sharpen a serrated edge without using a Sharpmaker or any other specialized sharpener.
 
choombak said:
It really depends on what jobs your knife will be used on. For me functionality comes first and then the form - plain edges are suitable for general stuff and slicing and can be really good slicers, while serrated edges can gnaw through tough stuff like ropes, thick cardboard, etc.

Its really a matter of "using the right tool for the job", and not which is better. :-)

-Amarendra
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Completely agree. If forced to carry one blade, I carry a plain edge. The knife at the edge of my pocket will almost always be a plain edge, but I will almost always have more than one blade on me and the belt knife will almost always be serrated.

On any given day, I will have a clip knife in my pocket, a belt knife (folder), a multi-tool, and a small Swiss Army knife on my keychain. If in uniform, I add a Recon-M flashlight on my belt. Funny how people think to carry knives or tools, but are up a creek if the lights go out...
 
LUW said:
Please enlighten my narrow mind and explain how to sharpen a serrated edge without using a Sharpmaker or any other specialized sharpener.
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Just sharpen the back of the serrations at a very low angle. It works with anything that will sharpen a PE.
 
I am one who says plain edge. But there is a knife that changed my mind, well, kinda. Victorinox, which someone mentioned ealier makes there OH Trekker and New Soldier and the German Soldier make them with a serated blade. But it is unlike other serations I have seen before. And they put them on the front half of the blade, where they are more usefual. I actually sharpened the serations off my Trekker. And I must sya I regret it. They are sharp. Work well. I still don't like most other companies serations. But the Victorinox have won me over. Here is a picture of my German Army Knife by Victorinox. The back side shows the serations better. I hope you all can see them OK. I will work on getting a better picture of them.

DPP_2125.jpg

DPP_2124.jpg


I cropped the picture closer so the serations can better be seen.
DPP_3101.jpg


Bill
 
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I used to like combo blades just for the look, plus i had the idea the conbo would add functionality, now that i have been collecting for 2 yrs..i normally stick with plain edges, but I do like some of kershaw conbo edges, not super aggressive and easier to sharpen.

"No matter what kind of knife or edge you have, always feel good about yourself"
 
Depends entirely on what you're trying to survive.

I'm a PE kinda guy, but around man made stuff, fully serrated can be extremely useful.
 
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