Serrations?Good or bad?

G

Galeno

Joined
Jun 9, 2006
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170
This is some what of a stupid question. Oh well!

I just purchased a bm rukus with partial serrations. I've never really owned a quality knife with half serrations. Do you think the PE would have served better as a utility knife?

Also, it seems PE benchmade knives rarely come with black coating. Why is this?

Thank in advance.:o
 
Many people on this forum do not like combo edges, but I like them and many people must agree with me or they wouldn't sell.

With a combo edge you turn a, for example, 4-inch plain edge into a 2.75 inch plain edge. But you gain a 1.25 inch combo edge.

Some say this gives you not enough of either type to do anything well. I disagree. I think most combo edges give you enough of each edge tobe effective.

I do have a slight preference for plain edges, but having an inch or two of serrations has made many jobs *MUCH* easier for me.
 
No such thing as a stupid question. Every edge type has it's uses. Do a search, you will learn which blade type is prefered for different situtations.
 
I like plain edges, I use my knives a lot for different chores (urban EDC, outdoors activities like hunting and SAR work, etc.) and I've always been happy with plain edges. Easy to sharpen, good for detailed work.

I do carry a multitool with a serrated edge, but it doesn't get much use. In the past six months I probably used it once. Plus, I don't like how serrated edges look. I hate combo edges, I tried it once and I really didn't like it, I agree with those that say that you get too little of each type of edge to make it worthwile.

This doesn't mean plain edges are undisputably better than serrated ones, it means that they work better for me. My advice would be to get a plain edges folder and a serrated one and carry both, see which one you like best. You can always sell or trade the one you don't like, maybe give it as a gift to a friend who does like it. FRN Spydercos are great to try this out.
 
The rukus I bought has a big blade and looks about a third serrated. That should leave about three inches of plain edge. Do you think that still is not enough of each?
 
Galeno said:
The rukus I bought has a big blade and looks about a third serrated. That should leave about three inches of plain edge. Do you think that still is not enough of each?
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Galeno - as has already been mentioned, only you can answer the question about what is or isn't enough of each. Depends on your uses. If you are really in a quandary about it, the best thing to do is get the multitool as has already been mentioned (Gerber, Leatherman, SAK...) and it will serve all of your needs more adequately than a single combo blade. Personally, three inches of plain edge with an inch or so of serration serves me 99% of the time.
 
serrated, or not serrated, is all really "realitive". Itd epends on what your use is and what you like. A serrated edge is great for cutting rope, or line, but poor for cutting/whittling wood, etc.

Its all in what you want.
 
I love the combo edge also, eliminates the need to carry a saw for small green limbs when trail clearing while hunting. :D
 
Good or bad would depend on what your cutting needs are. I want my knife to cut, not saw.
 
Galeno said:
The rukus I bought has a big blade and looks about a third serrated. That should leave about three inches of plain edge. Do you think that still is not enough of each?
Click to expand...
This is only my opinion, and others may vary. But on a blade such as the Rukus or let's say Camillus Maxx, with the combo-edge, you have enough usable space for both edge types.
 
I don't like fully serrated knives, and only have 1 of those. Most of my knives are plain edged, but I like to carry a partially serrated knife on a regular basis, and with day to day cutting chores, the serrated edge has proven helpful.
 
The primary reason for black blades and serrated blades is to appeal to unsophisticated buyers without knife sharpening experience. (This is not the only reason and these are not the only buyers, but they are the large majority). Most of these buyers are young males who think these blades look tough and more agressive. Uncoated plain edge blades appeal more to buyers who like a blade that is easier to sharpen and which allows more subtle cutting options than sawing things apart (this is a sophisticated minority). So serrated blades are often black blades and plain edge blades are often uncoated.
 
The best place for serrated edges is on a steak knife or bread knife.:)
Scott
 
Thanks for the info. I somewhat regret purchasing the combo edge, but for the most part I think it will serve me well as a field knife. I like the black coating better because it seems to protect the blade better and I don't mind putting in just a little extra time sharpening. It's too bad serrations usually come with the package,....oh well.

Once again, thanks for the input.
 
I've come to appreciate serrations for certain uses. Usually it is something that a plain edge has a tendency to just glide over, such as industrial zip-ties or some types of synthetic rope. Nice to have when they "help out."

On a 4-inch plus blade, an inch or so of serrations still leaves plenty of plain edge.

I like black blades, too. Eventually I figure a RUKUS will come with a plain edge black blade, I figure. Notin' wrong with havin' RUKII (or is that RUKUSS).

Currently own a plain edge myself. Nice, big knife. Hope you enjoy yours as much as I've enjoyed mine.
 
There are different types of serrations, too. Finer serrations mean less push (or ripping), but finer serrations -- such as those on Cold Steel knives -- are more likely to chip if used aggressively. Yet for cutting nylon marine cord or a seat belt in emergencies, they're hard to beat.

I like the Cold Steel Gunsite with 5-inch blades as they offer both a fine plain edge and a goodly stretch of serrations for tougher cutting jobs.

coldsteelsharpener2.jpg


gunsitelg.jpg
 
I am not buying any serrated knives.

On my experience serration does not make rope cut better - it dos not cut anithyng better. Perfectly sharpened edge will outcut any serration and the only reason for it that it keep sawing much longer then Plane Edge keep cutting - it will stop cutting when dull.

This is why all cheap knives have serration (I mean $1 for 10 kind of cheap) like chinese kitchen knives which continue sawing over years without sharpening having worse steel possible - you just need to applay more forse ans it will rip apart everithing.

This is why all expensive knives - like custom etc never have serration (over $300).

Best example - Strider SNG never serrated and Buck Strider with 420HC - serrated.

Thanks, Vassili.

P.S. Of course there is people who do not have time or desire to keep their knives perfectly sharp - police, military, fire fighter etc. They may never sharpen knife and may not know howto do this but steel need cutting-power. So for this kind of use scenario serration is prefferable. But knife enthusiasts like me who looking for excuse to resharpen knife serration is noncense.
 
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