Serrated or straight edge Which do you choose ?

K

Kim Breed

Joined
Mar 1, 2005
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Its like the never ending battle between carbon and stainless. I would like to know why you perfer one or the other.
Most of you know of my dislike of serrations. Thats because I had serrations (like Spiderco's) or two step serrations. Thats two small to one large serrator. The small ones had bured over enough to snag on webbing hard enough to pull the knife out of my hand. Bad news at the time. A dull knife would of slipped off and still done damage or at least scared the shi% of the other guy. Ever since then NO serrations.
Mission knives use a reverse serration that cut extremely well but they are still serrations. Give me a good straight edge every time.
Most of the serrations are on factory knives instead of customs. I wonder why??
 
Most people who buy customs know how to sharpen knives, or know where to get it done.

Serrated blades are for those who can't sharpen knives.
 
Most of the people that I know like serration. Myself, I tolerate it where I have to. When I was a kid I thought that serration looked cool and wicked, so I liked it. But once I learned how to sharpen knives (around 10) I started to prefer straight blades.

I bought matching Benchmade folders for my girlfriend and I last summer. The only difference is that hers has a half serrated blade. Mine is just straight. I prefer a blade that easily sharpens to one that doesn't, and I like a sharp blade, not a blade that ends up resorting to tearing things.

That's not to say that I wouldn't make a serrated blade if someone asked me to. I don't feel that I'm good enough to start taking orders yet, but if someone asked for a serrated blade, I would make it for them. However, I would also tell them my opinions about serrated blades, and charge them extra for all the extra work that it would require.

Last summer I rebuilt an old set of serrated steak knives that my parents use. Sharpening them was possible, but also a big pain in the butt.

I know, I'm a little opinionated. I try to be open-minded, but serration is something I came to dislike years ago. Making knives has not improved its popularity with me.

Daniel Denton
 
Kim, you know I have a serration that is bad..works like a champ. I still do less than 10% with them.
 

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I would say that the vast majority of makers don't do serrations because they don't know how or don't have the gear to do it right.

As far as whether they are worth having. It is just like everything else. They have their place. Opinions vary on them. But it always nice to offer as an option on certain models.
 
I've never liked serrations because they seem to get in the way of whatever I'm cutting. Ever tried to open a letter with a serrated knife? They're only good for rope etc, and frankly I use my knives for just about everything, from opening reams of paper to trimming my fingernails to - cutting rope. Plus serrations are a royal pain to sharpen.
 
Kit, I like the looks of it. We had a long Discussion on serrations last time I was there. Don't know if you remember but the roundness of them Looks like you did :D
 
I personally don't like serrations because I never need them. If I was an EMT, a sailor, a professional rope slicer, etc then maybe I would think differently!
 
People keep talking about cutting rope with serrations. Has anyone ever won a rope cutting contest with a serrated blade. A sharp blade will suprise those who think serrations cut rope better.
 
R.W. said: "I would say that the vast majority of makers don't do serrations because they don't know how or don't have the gear to do it right."

Exactly! This is the catagory I fall in. However, I've never thought about trying to make one anyway. I just prefer the looks of the straight edge.
 
I don't make many serrated knives because I don't like cutting them by hand.

As far as them being "for those that don't know how to sharpen" I'm real damn tired of being told that. I carry serrated knives everyday, sharpen them all the time, and I've sure as hell never had a customer complain about a dull edge. Maybe serrations are for those who are good enough at sharpening to do something other than a straight edge :p

A rope cutting contest and cutting a horse out of its halter in an emergency is quite a bit different. A full arm swinging chop isn't good for much real life use.
I'm not saying everyone needs serrations, but they definitely have their place.
 
"Cutting Bread" - the only time I've ever preferred serrations.
 
Its either small 4" full serated as a back up or no serations at all. I like them when I need them but I carried a delica Spydie a long time and had to keep her sharp or the thing would catch. They have there place but if I need one knife with me its a straight bladed one.

I am like Dan - only search for a serated knife when I am cutting bread. :D
 
I dislike serrated blades.

Edited to add; It's got nothing to do with being able to do them or not. Anybody with a couple of files, and a modicum of skill can do serrations.

About 25 years ago, I received a catalog featuring stone wheels for grinding any form of serration one could want.
The prices weren't bad, but I didn't like serrations then either, and threw the catalog away.
 
In my line of work I always have a serrated blade handy. As a merchant marine/ commercial fisherman I'm cutting poly, nylon and other synthetic rope during the day. For what I do there is no comparison at all, like comparing apples to oreo cookies. As for the rope cutting contests, so what? A half assed sharp table knife can cut manila rope. I've seen guys at work cut 1/2 inch manila small stuff with 5 dollar harware stoe folders from China that were dull as ****. Bring the "rope cutting contest" straight edge by when I have to cut a three inch diameter nylon mooring hawser. I can gaurantee that if it actually does cut through it, the knife will be dull beyond belief when your done. Over the years I have tried many different makes and models of straight blades at work and they all failed miserably. I carry and use staight edges and know damn well how to sharpen them, but I won't carry one at work especially when my knife may have to save my life. No one tool does every job, you wouldn't use a hammer to change spark plugs. To say serrated blades suck is ignorant. You may not like them or know how to make them, but they have there place and purpose. End of rant,
Rick
 
I agree that serrations are for bread knives :D
most of the time i use the first inch of a no seration blade for whittling,slicing and precision work. almost all of the serrations made ane on the first cupple of inches. you can sharpen a blade like you want it to cut also ( rough grit = slicer, mirror polished edge= slicer. just my oppinion though. most knives are used with just a forward push. if you want to saw use a saw! :D :footinmou
 
Kim Breed said:
I want to hear more about the one chop horse removal thing.. :eek:
Click to expand...
:eek:
is the point I was trying to make. Just because a contest knife can cut a rope hanging from a tree doesn't mean its the best knife for real world use. The technique you have to use for it can't be used all the time. Serrations will cut with a push or pull with minimal tension on what your cutting. They grab at the material and cut aggressively. In some circumstances thats the best thing you can have. They're no good for whittling but not everyone needs an EDC for whitling. To start in with the idea that plain edges and the people who use them are supierior is assinine :rolleyes:
 
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