serrated traditionals?

r8shell

r8shell

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Jan 16, 2010
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I rotate various slipjoints in one pocket,
but also carry a small serrated edged knife (Spyderco Dragonfly) with it because serrated edges just work better for me on things like plastic packaging and zipties.

I have a Boker beer barrel copperhead on the way. It has two rather similar blades, and I have been contemplating having my local knife sharpening guy put serrations on one. (sacrilege?) I might try it first on a Rough Rider.

I wondered if any of you have ever seen serrations on a traditional folder? Is the blade thick enough? Maybe the serrations should be very fine almost like a steak knife?
 
Yes, Case makes some (their miracle edge). I've never owned one with their serrations, though.

56141.jpg
 
There have been a few serrated blades on traditional folders. Camillus ("Yello-Jaket" series) & Schrade ("Master Mechanic" series) had a few. I seem to recall seeing a recent thread about an older Schrade stockman with a serrated sheepsfoot blade. Case puts one in a knife now & then. They currently offer a Melon Tester with a serrated blade, and one of their Folding Hunters also has it:

(^^looks like someone else had one of these in mind, too ;))

56140.jpg

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The blades are thick enough for it (as thick or thicker than a typical serrated paring/steak knife in the kitchen). Some older traditional knives had very small serrations on them, almost like saw teeth. I have one like that, but wish it didn't have those tiny serrations. Not very useful, and they don't sharpen up very well. Much easier to sharpen a plain edge, and I've found a well-sharpened plain edge to be every bit as useful (more so, actually). I use the plain-edged sheepsfoot blade on my stockman for the purposes you mentioned (plastic packaging & zip-ties) and, when kept nicely sharp, I find it ideal for those tasks.
 
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I have a larger SAK with one that was given to me. It has a serrated blade with a rounded (well rounded) safety tip. I think they call it the firefighter. Dang thing even has a lock :D.
 
When I was working on the towboats on the illinois river, several companies (American Commercial Lines comes to mind) issued a folding pocket knife to their crews. It was a kutmaster (maybe) sheepsfoot knife or lifeboat type knife with plastic woodgrained scales, a bail, and a serrated carbon steel blade. They were inexpensive and the only ones I got to actually handle were in pretty rough shape.
 
Here's a pic of a Case 10318 stockman. It was an SFO (Special Factory Order), with yellow G-10, scrolled bolsters and serrated sheepsfoot):

(pic found on web)
5_14963_1217357108_1.JPG
 
no no no no no. no serrations on a traditional. its wrong. it is a sin if you do it. If you are still thinking of doing it, you must cleanse yourself of this sinful desire and buy a case knife with yeller cv. I have to wash my hands just for clicking on this thread. :D I'm just joking, if a serrated blade is what you want then go for it.
 
There's a few Camillus and Schrade stockmans with serrated sheepsfoot blades. Once upon a time I had a Victorinox SAK...I don't know the year/model, but it was rather thick and probably from the 80's...that had a fully serrated main blade (not rounded at the tip).
 
Well, they're out there, but while I don't consider it sacrilege, it just doesn't look right. If I am wrong, correct me, but aren't most edges serrated to begin with, just microscopic serrations? If you need a razor sharp knife, I would go with a super sharp plain edge.
 
I have a Gerber with a serrated straight edge built on the Easy Out platform that I have found very useful at times, but I rarely carry it in my pocket. As for traditionals, I can't seem to get excited about serrated edges there, but they do have their purpose and if you want a serrated blade in your traditional knife, go for it. As for the edges themselves, some designs work really well and some don't work at all. If you have a serrated edge that works well for you, you should have him duplicate the pattern for you.

Ed J
 
Thanks for all the replies. Especially the pictures-gives me an idea of what it might look like. As I said, I'll probably try it out on a Rough Rider first .
 
I suggest sticking with your present combination of slipjoint and Dragonfly. I haven't seen any company do serrations as well as Spyderco.

- Christian
 
Obsessed with Edges said:
I seem to recall seeing a recent thread about an older Schrade stockman with a serrated sheepsfoot blade. Case puts one in a knife now & then.
Click to expand...

That's the U.S. Schrade 89OT 'Blazer' with the serrated sheepfoot. IIRC, U.S. Schrade also made a green-scaled 89OT pattern for Skoal.

I have a Case 6265 Folding Hunter that was re-bladed by Case in 2005, and the drop point blade is serrated. I'll post pics later when the camera battery charges.

~Chris
 
I saw a serrated edge on a sheepsfoot the other day, now please forgive me, as I am being quite lazy and not looking up as to which thread it was that I spotted it, but I thought it was a great idea, serrated cuts through certain things on demand such as rope, any Hessian type of fabric, be it man made or natural, I think its a great idea.
 
Pete1977 said:
When I was working on the towboats on the illinois river, several companies (American Commercial Lines comes to mind) issued a folding pocket knife to their crews. It was a kutmaster (maybe) sheepsfoot knife or lifeboat type knife with plastic woodgrained scales, a bail, and a serrated carbon steel blade. They were inexpensive and the only ones I got to actually handle were in pretty rough shape.
Click to expand...

here it is...model 11-151805 about half way down the page- http://www.kutmaster.com/productline/uticacutlery/workman-series.php

and here is the first serrated slipjoint I had ever seen. they used to be sold locally as net and twine knives but they are listed as a "Baker's Knife" by Victorinox...alox handles, serrated hawkbill blade. I have a few, they are small and very thin, light knives.

http://www.outdoorpros.com/Prod/Victorinox-40990-Baker-s-Knife-2-5-in/11185/Cat/877
 
orca8589 said:
That's the U.S. Schrade 89OT 'Blazer' with the serrated sheepfoot. IIRC, U.S. Schrade also made a green-scaled 89OT pattern for Skoal.

I have a Case 6265 Folding Hunter that was re-bladed by Case in 2005, and the drop point blade is serrated. I'll post pics later when the camera battery charges.

~Chris
Click to expand...

Case produced a 6265 SAB SS Folding Hunter in the '70s - '80s time frame, with a serrated secondary blade. I think they referred to that one as a 'boatman' ('boatsman'?) model. Might've been included in at least some of the Mariner's sets they sold back then, with a separate marlinspike and sheath to hold both. I have a set like this, but with a 'standard' 6265 SAB SS (1981), not serrated.

(Edit: Evidently, the 'Boatman' model goes back even further than I thought. I found a reference to a '40 - '64 vintage version, with serrated secondary blade.)

I also have a couple of orange G10 Folding Hunters (10265 SS), with a combo-edge (part serrated) on the main blade.
 
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