Serrated Vs Plain edge

Jetblack

Jetblack

Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
543
Im about to order an RC-4 and an RC-5, but I cant decide which edge to go with. Is there a reason I should go with one over the other?
 
From what I've experienced. Serrations are good if you are cutting something like webbing or if you are in a situation where you don't have any good sharpening options. IMHO it is very nice to have if you don't sharpen your knives that often or you aren't good at sharpening. I am just now learning to get a good edge on my blades and still need the serrations some of the time. I am not sure about things like batoning because all my woods knives are plain edge. Hope this helps.

edit: if I remember from other posts you are a LEO, so seatbelts would be easier to cut with serrations.
 
Thanks, I'm still working on getting a good edge on my knives. I was leaning toward the serrated edge, but I'm starting to change my mind.
 
The serrations can be helpful if you will be using the knife to cut fibrous things like rope etc. or animal tendons & ligaments. RAT serrations are the best on the market & due to their unique design, are sharpened just like the plain edge part of the blade.

Some feel that serrations are not of real benefit as long as the plain edge knife is kept very sharp & I would tend to agree with that.

Where the serrations may benefit more is if a person is in a situation where they cannot keep the blade very sharp.

I know this does not give you an answer one way or the other but I hope that the info. is beneficial to you.

I wish you all the best!
 
It's a tough choice. It all depends on what you're going to use the knife for. On my woods knives it's plain edge but on EDC's it's combo. Great knives, low price, get both and see which one you like. From then on you know what to get.
 
I usually stick with plain edged knives, but the RAT serrations do look more functional/maintainable than most out there.

Tankerwolf said:
It's a tough choice. It all depends on what you're going to use the knife for. On my woods knives it's plain edge but on EDC's it's combo. Great knives, low price, get both and see which one you like. From then on you know what to get.
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Where do you work? I'd like to fill out an application. RAT knives are great, but they aren't low priced IMO they're decently priced. :thumbup:
 
I guess I meant they are a great price for what you get. I have been in the Busse arena for a while so these knives look like a steal. I guess in the overall picture of things they would fall into the mid price range for value. You get what you like. I like these knives.
 
In my opinion, I would get a plain edge. I believe they can do what Serrated can do if sharp, albeit some may not be as easy to cut.
 
Never met a Serrated edge I liked.... thou I have seen a few that are attractive at closing time.... :)

Seriously I stick to plain edge blades, I just prefer then.
 
I like the serrations the best on the RC-3 as it has the thinnest blade and optimized for cutting. The serrated RC-3 eats through ropes like nobodies business and I do not find the serrations get in the way of slicing on other chores. The RC-4 is more designed as a general outdoors bushcraft blade. If you plan on using it that way then a plain edge might be better. If you think of it as a survival knife and will be really ripping through material than the serrated might be better.
 
t-k-c said:
The serrations can be helpful if you will be using the knife to cut fibrous things like rope etc. or animal tendons & ligaments.
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Pretty much sums it up. Serrations are not entirely necessary, assuming your keep your plain edged blade nice and sharp, but they can be useful for cutting items like rope quickly. Though, sometimes your cut's won't be as clean, or at least mine aren't.
 
I would definetly go with a plain edge, just personal preference. But RC's serrations are very good.
 
Plain edge easier to maintain, but you have to decide the knifes primary mission.
 
I also prefer a plain edge for 95% of my cutting tasks. Just keep it sharp. You can also choose to sharpen it to make it toothier or a smoother/more polished edge as needed for your tasks. One of the reasons I don't like combo blade serrations is that they are located close to the end of the handle of the knife at the very place on the blade where I do finer, more delicate cutting tasks & want better control & leverage, and a straight cutting edge. I also find that there aren't enough serrations or plain edge in a combo blade to do tasks for which the two types of blade are optimized; I have half a plain blade & half a serrated blade, and can only do jobs half as well. As far as being in a situation where it would be harder to maintain your knife, IMO that actually argues for a plain edge over serrated. If having nothing else, you can take a smooth rounded river stone and use that to touch up a plain edge till you get back to your real sharpening gear. You can strop it on your jeans or on a piece of cardboard. - - - Of course, everyone's experiences and applications are different. (If I needed a serrated blade I would also in addition to the RAT carry one of my Swiss Army knives w/ a serrated blade or even more likely, a small lightweight one hand opening folder with a full serrated blade. A hardcore rock climber or sailor would likely look at things differently then me. - I didn't order my RAT with serrations, but from the pics I've seen, the pattern they use looks good. Simple & effective and not excessively complicated (and thus more time consuming to maintain). Enjoy your new RAT !, - - -
 
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