Recommendation? SERRATED VS PLAIN EDGE WHICH IS BETTER OVERALL EDC

serrations may have its uses.
but im pretty sure for many,
the problem lies with the lack
of knowlege or necessary tools
to keep them in tip top condition.
mind you, its even a task for
a great number of folks to be able to
keep a fine edge on their plain edges...
i agree completely that a short bladed
combo edge folder will see the
placement of its serrations
get in the way of task requiring
one to choke up the blade for
finer controlled cutting.
i guess serrations would be fine
if such a cutting method
doesn't come up at all
as an every day occurance....
 
Both?! BTW I just cut myself closing the serrated blade. The sacrifices I make for a photo...!

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Basically all of my knives are plain edge but when I do carry fully serrated (spyderco) I never run into anything I can't cut :confused:. The one thing that I was really unable to do is whittle. Everything else I managed perfectly fine, if not better. I dunno, like I said I have a huge majority plain edge but I feel like people act like serrated blades only cut fibrous material and that's it. With a sharpmaker, sharpening serrated blades is a cake walk. Just my thoughts, I'm interested if anyone has any other tasks that serrated blades can't handle.
 
PeaceInOurTime said:
If you plan to learn to sharpen serrations (it's not difficult), I'd suggest getting them. Otherwise, if you're used to having a sharp edge, you'll likely be unsatisfied with dull serrations.

On another forum, I started a thread stating my intention to only carry full serrated knives in 2020 (for my primary knife -- I carry an additional multitool that has a plain edge blade). I have no regrets so far.
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Old thread. Curious how the experiment turned out? Did you go the entire year with the SE edge?
 
I only own 1 serrated knife.
Spyderco matriarch2.
It's likely the only one I'll have, unless I need one for a specific task I have to do.

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The only serrated blade I have is the second knife on my leatherman surge, other than my bread knives. Mainly work with wood and paracord is the thickest thing I have to cut re rope etc....

I've no need for a dedicated serrated blade although I'm sure for some it's a very suitable blade.
 
I think a fully or partially serrated blade really excels for work around boats and water where you have to quickly cut nets, line, etc., and for cutting seat belt material or similar hard to cut webbing or rope in an emergency.
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In general I prefer a straight edge for everyday EDC, but my Spyderco Caribbean with serrated edge is just perfect for the types of things I need it for. I live on the water, and I stick it in my pocket when doing yard work by the shore or messing with my boat.
 
mb> said:
:thumbsup: ;)

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It was always out there right under my nose. The answer to the question does the double edge have any useful utility use. Apparently yes. Your picture put to rest years of wondering.





I am not a fan of partial serrations. I too agree that either fully serrated or full plain edge is the way to go if you want to experience the true benefits of either.

Serrations definitely have merit.

The inner scallops of serrations are well protected from damage by the points. For example if you hit or saw accross a wide hard object by accident with a plain edge if the medium is hard and/or abrasive enough you can easily damage a large portion of that edge.

With serrations only the points will make contact and may be blunted but the inner scallops will be totally unaffected allowing you to continue using your knife until you have time to sharpen the points again.

That is also the reason why serrated blades are preferred for steak knives. The tips of the steak knife serrations slide on the ceramic plate that the steak is on and the scallops do the the cutting without the edges touching the plate. Using a plain edge on a ceramic plate is a good way to quickly strop your fine edge into the butter knife realm.

Serrations because they are curved give you more cutting edge surface along the entire length of the blade than a plain edge.

The sharp tips or serrated blades also pierce causing the material to lose integrity allowing the scallops to easily slice it apart. A lot of medium can be tough to slice but if compromised just a little (a hole or a tear) it will then slice easily. Serration points can pierce, disrupting the integrety of the material, where plain edges may only slide or glance with minimal or no cutting.
 
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Imo , if you enjoy frustrating then serrated is your ticket. That is if you use your knife a lot. Sharpening a serrated blade takes more time and it never seems to be as good as new after it gets dull. Maybe there’s a particular way serrations can be maintained more easily but I haven’t found it.

For my edc knife I prefer a straight plain edge with a micro toothy edge. It cuts more aggressively in soft or fibrous materials and keeps a good working edge longer than a polished edge.

Having a secondary blade with serrations is okay because it isn’t used as much and for the applications wheere it is beneficial. Also you still have a good plain edge for regular use. As others have stated serrations can hang up and lose your grip. So you have to be more careful.
 
That's a good point Lesknife and one that I and I'm sure others utilise. I've found I sharpen many of my knives with different grits even the same steels. For example if I'm using a small simple carbon knife for finer work then 1200-2000grit and strop. A machete or axe or knife I'd want to use to cut abrasive material I'll often stop at DMT blue and then a quick strop on plain leather.
 
I am a fan of low grit edges on plain knives. I think they last longer and are more useful. I like plain edges too but putting a toothy edge on a plain edge blade is not going to make it a serrated blade with all of it's advantages. I never said one was better than the other (serrated vs plain edge) there are always trade offs in anything.

Saying a serrated blades is only for people who like frustration is not a good explanation of why you don't like serrated blades.

I don't think sharpening serrated edges is too much harder than sharpening plain edges but it is different and you have to use learn to use a different style of sharpening. The spyderco triangle sharpener does make it easier though. I prefer to freehand with an unmounted triangle spyderco rod.

A sharpie magic marker and a cheap eye loupe can go a long way in refining sharpening technique.
 
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I think plain edge is great for those committed to learning how to sharpen a knife and maintaining a truly sharp blade. Serrated edges shine for those that find "eh, good 'nuff" to be reasonable for their daily cutting needs, and truthfully most of us would get along fine with a mostly sharp edge to mash open an Amazon box.

Personally, I go plain edge, especially on a harder steel, just because I have the tools and knowledge to keep a knife popping sharp. However, I have a drawer full of 17 year old steak knives that have bee drug across ceramic dishes for nearly 2 decades...they still saw meat. They still cut well enough to get through what needs to be done.

I have a fully serrated Combat Troodon with a tanto edge that really doesn't cut worth a crap. However, it will burn through rope and probably an assailant in short order. It grinds through things. While it will never be an ideal edc for me, it makes for a great hard use knife that would really ruin an attacker's day should you use it for such.
 
Couldn't I add serrations to a plain edge later on if I decided they were needed? Then I could choose the model, steel, location, length, bite, etc.
 
Plain edges for me. If I liked frustration and subpar sharpness in my edges, I would go serrated.

Skar said:
Wow.. love these necro threads.
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Yes, and out of all the posts in this "necro thread", on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the most helpful/interesting, and 1 being useless, where do you think..... never mind.

greater said:
Saying a serrated blades is only for people who like frustration is not a good explanation of why you don't like serrated blades.
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Sure it is. It discloses that using and/or sharpening serrations is frustrating for the one making the statement. I have tried sharpening various serration styles using a variety of methods, including freehand on diamond and ceramic rods. I'm no Michael Christy, but I'm not clueless about sharpening either. And serrations have never been something I can efficiently get to a satisfactory level like I can with plain edges.

If I had a need for rope cutting, I would choose a plain edge hawkbill knife with thin geometry and a sub 400 grit microbevel.
 
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