Serrated vs plain edge

I prefer plain edged knives. Most serrated edges are too short to be effective and make using the plain edge more difficult. If you want a serrated edge, buy a completely serrated edge. I have several serrated edged knives, but they are for very specific purposes. They are great for cutting rope and fabric. Other than that, I'll take a plain edge every time.
 
In general, serrated edges tend to sever materials more aggressively than plain edges. They cut fibrous and semi rigid materials like plastic sheet better than plain edges. In some cases, they sever materials sharp plain edges cannot cut at all. And they do it many times longer without sharpening. Good serrated edges like those of Spyderco, Microtech, Mission, Benchmade, etc. are easily sharpened with a Sharpmaker.

But in my experience, serrated edges are mainly for severing. Plain edges are much more versatile. If you want to make things out of wood, you need a plain edge. It is extremely difficult to use serrated edges for fine detail work. And serrated edges cannot shave or scrape efficiently. Sharp plain edges sever most materials as well as plain edges but require more frequent sharpening.

Many emergency workers carry serrated edges because they are more likely to work when called upon (like severing seat belts). This is because the need for sharpening is so infrequent compared to plain edges.

My own preference is for plain edges. Like most of us on Bladeforums, I can easily keep them sharp all the time and I like the versatility.
 
Plain edge for me. I've compared a plain edge paramilitary vs. a SE delica cutting rope and the para won hands down. It could partially be that I suck a sharpening SE and the para is a hair bigger but, the PE is definately more versatile.
 
I like both for their respectable reasons. SE for any rope and things like that and PE for meat. But I am leaning more to SE.
 
I prefer plain edges, PE are easier to sharpen. Combo edges do not carve wood well.
 
Deerslayer71 said:
Plain Edge except when cutting french men. BREAD BREAD I meant french bread! sorry.
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There's no better bread than french bread, no better cheese, no better army.
WINE! I meant WINE! Ohlala!

Plain edge for me if thin enough.

dantzk.
 
mmmmmk... think im going to get gunned down for this, but to me a PE is a REAL knife and SE is like a Ginsu fallacy version of the real thing... Having said that, its micro serrations on a PE blade that sometimes makes it cool for slicing things

Peace!
 
I liked combo edges until I figured out they are impossible for me to sharpen.Now I don't buy anything but a plain edge. I can maintain it and it will cut anything I need to. I have wanted to buy a Gerber LMF II since they came out but won't until they come out with a plain edge. On a knife the size of an LMF II I think a combo edge ruins the whole blade for bush craft type use. If you used it for mostly cutting rope or plastic bands maybe, but for general use it's a no go. I have emailed Gerber enough times requesting a plain edge LMF II they don't answer me anymore.
So for me its Plain edge all the way.
 
darthsoaker said:
PEOPLE! We are Knife-Knuts. So, wouldn't it make sense if all of us carried TWO knives with us? One PE and one SE. Thats what I do. We don't need no stinkin' combo edges. :)
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absolutely. i like this answer.
I prefer a plain, but if i had to go into the bush for a couple weeks, (and choose one) i might take a combo... Kinded of doged the quesion well eh?
 
if you work outside all day long everyday you can find a reason for a SE or combo

im gonna make a new post! if you had to cut a finger or toe off what would you rather use! PE SE or combo

my answer is niether i couldnt do it lol!
 
Another PE vote, although I have a couple of SE knives. I absolutely hate Combo edge knives except for the Kershaws with the half-moon type serrations.
 
I only have one combo edge knife, the meadowlark, and the serrations are really well made, IMO. At work I have found that it is easier to cut cargo straps and break open boxes with the serrations than with the PE. Also some hard-skin fruits and wegs such as tomatoes and apples are easier cut with the serrated portion. I don't find sharpening serrations that difficult, just a bit more laborious.

The serraterd knife on my new wave is also surprisingly good, and I use it much for cutting open packages, fibers and zip-ties that would be almost impossible to cut with a polished edge PE. For bushcraft it is almost exclusively polished PE (puukko) for wood carving is more important than cutting fibers etc.
 
I like both depending on the mood i am in. PE is probably more useful.
However, I HATE combo edges.
 
depends on the knife and what ya are using it for, if i opened a lot of boxes SE, but really for day to day use the PE is hard to beat, my 1st decent folder was a spydie delica SE and it did everything i ever asked it to do in 2+ yrs of edc though so both will work and work just fine i think.

personally i like the looks of some knives serrated, ie the spydie civilian and police just look wrong to me in PE, much prefer the SE, but generally prefer the PE looks on most.

very few custom knives are serrated FWIW, the only one i can remember was a SE pardue and that was several yrs ago.

i dont care for partial serrations though, all or none for me.
 
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