Serrations prove useless--I'm grinding them off

Status
Not open for further replies.
My favorite plain edge story: Many years back I sort of collected throwing knives. Most started out extremely dull but I at least put a decent point edge on them. Some were actually designed with a nominal knife edge and those I sharpened up to their practical limit. Then there was this one nice made-in-Solingen throwing knife with a broad blade of a great grade of carbon steel (I would guess something like 1084). It had a high saber grind at least an inch wide and the blade was only about 1/10 inch thick. I flat ground that and stropped it to an amazing razor edge.

I had a knife throwing buddy who was very familiar with the low standards of those blades. One day he asked for help making some cutt-off jeans. I had him twist together the legs of a pair of Levis into an approximately 3 inch diameter cord. I had him hold it taught in front of him between his two hands. In one swipe I cut through the whole thing and he barely felt the knife going through. He said, "Now that's what I call a throwing knife."
 
I own one serrated blade knife: a Spyderco Tenacious. I bought it for one purpose: to attach to a pocket on my personal flotation device (that's a "life jacket," matey!) for use at an aquatic camp I was going on with my son's Boy Scout Troop. Why? In case I needed to cut wet rope or webbing quickly in an emergency. PS: I also had a plain edge Rukus in a belt sheath for any other cutting that I might need to do. I carry that Rukus whenever I am camping. The serrated Tenacious is a great knife, but it lives in that PDF pocket, waiting for another boating trip.
 
County Rat, Have you actually experimented with the wet rope and webbing? I carry a plain edge Spyderco Calypso Junior clipped to my shirt collar for situations like that. I think it would work better in most circumstances.
 
Jeff: The Calyoso Jr. looks like a great choice. To be honest with you, I chose the Tenacious because I found it available from a reliable seller for 24 bucks, and I knew I would not be using it much. If I where a guy who spent time in boats regularly the Calypso would definately be on my short list; better steel and, IMO better grip than the Tenacious for use in wet conditions.
 
Last edited:
Glad I discovered this valuable info 'bout plain edges vs. serrated edges.

Anyone know where I can find plain edge blades for my chainsaw, table saw, band saw and hack saws?

I've tried grinding the "serrations" off the blades I have, but they just don't cut as well as they used to, even though I made sure they are 'super duper' razor sharp.:confused:
 
timcsaw said:
Glad I discovered this valuable info 'bout plain edges vs. serrated edges.

Anyone know where I can find plain edge blades for my chainsaw, table saw, band saw and hack saws?

I've tried grinding the "serrations" off the blades I have, but they just don't cut as well as they used to, even though I made sure they are 'super duper' razor sharp.:confused:
Click to expand...

The tools that you reference work differently, and usually, for different types of work, than do pocket knives. Also, no one has said that serrated blades do not cut, or that they cannot cut well. We are discussing the most versitile choice for a pocket tool used for odd jobs, not power tools used for specific work on specific, heavy materials.
 
CountyRat said:
The tools that you reference work differently, and usually, for different types of work, than do pocket knives. Also, no one has said that serrated blades do not cut, or that they cannot cut well. We are discussing the most versitile choice for a pocket tool used for odd jobs, not power tools used for specific work on specific, heavy materials.
Click to expand...

Which edge has more cutting surface area, a PE Tenacious or a partially serrated Tenacious?;)

When I want to trim the tip off a cigar, a sharp PE is best (neatness counts). If I want to cut one in half, the serrated is better.

Butter knives with a plain edge are great for butter. Add some serrations, it'll cut steak. Ever see a plain edged, plastic knife or are they always serrated?

Ever try to shave with a serrated edge though? Don't!:D

Each edge has it's place and 'best use' but in the end, available cutting surface area wins.
 
timcsaw said:
Which edge has more cutting surface area, a PE Tenacious or a partially serrated Tenacious?;)

When I want to trim the tip off a cigar, a sharp PE is best (neatness counts). If I want to cut one in half, the serrated is better.

Butter knives with a plain edge are great for butter. Add some serrations, it'll cut steak. Ever see a plain edged, plastic knife or are they always serrated?

Ever try to shave with a serrated edge though? Don't!:D

Each edge has it's place and 'best use' but in the end, available cutting surface area wins.
Click to expand...

I agree! The tool is never the issue. The issue is always the user, and his or her intentions for using the tool. The best design is the one that best suits the individual. Don't adapt to the tool, pick the tool that adapts to you, and your intended use.
 
If I want to measure how well something cuts, I don't care about the length of cutting surface, I want the edge that requires the least force to cut or slice.

The problem with most serrated edges in my experience is they are not designed for ease of cutting, as evidenced by the large angle the serrations are cut at - I think they are intended to be able to cut longer without sharpening (which is not very valuable to many of us who sharpen their knives even more than they require!). Different strokes....
 
CountyRat said:
I agree! The tool is never the issue. The issue is always the user, and his or her intentions for using the tool. The best design is the one that best suits the individual. Don't adapt to the tool, pick the tool that adapts to you, and your intended use.
Click to expand...

Broos said:
If I want to measure how well something cuts, I don't care about the length of cutting surface, I want the edge that requires the least force to cut or slice.

The problem with most serrated edges in my experience is they are not designed for ease of cutting, as evidenced by the large angle the serrations are cut at - I think they are intended to be able to cut longer without sharpening (which is not very valuable to many of us who sharpen their knives even more than they require!). Different strokes....
Click to expand...

Though many don't seem to care for their looks, I guess this is why many of my knives are partially serrated. For me, they offer the best of both worlds.:thumbup::)
 
timcsaw said:
Though many don't seem to care for their looks, I guess this is why many of my knives are partially serrated. For me, they offer the best of both worlds.:thumbup::)
Click to expand...

I used to get partially serrated knives as well. I just found that I never used the serrated portion. I got tired of only having "half a blade." The serrations, although sharp, would just seem to snag on stuff, so I don't get anything serrated anymore.

Saws, however, are not what I would call serrated. They have saw-teeth, and work on a different principle.
 
Kbrasmodeler said:
I used to get partially serrated knives as well. I just found that I never used the serrated portion. I got tired of only having "half a blade." The serrations, although sharp, would just seem to snag on stuff, so I don't get anything serrated anymore.

Saws, however, are not what I would call serrated. They have saw-teeth, and work on a different principle.
Click to expand...

Serrations "rule" if you keep in mind that every sharp edge consists of serrations/"saw teeth" at the microscopic level.:D
 
timcsaw said:
Serrations "rule" if you keep in mind that every sharp edge consists of serrations/"saw teeth" at the microscopic level.:D
Click to expand...

Okay, you win. Serrations are the end all-be all of cutting.:D Im going to go and grind serrations into all of my blades. I will soon have an 18", fully serrated machete! Watch me!

:D:D:D:D:D:D

Please take this as the joke it is meant to be...
 
Admittedly, serrations are generally of little advantage and are often detrimental to a nice clean cut.
But here, on my little Ponderosa, the serrations on my CQC15 have proven handy
when the need arises for the use of something like a saw.
Emerson serrations will cut.
The results may be more like chainsaw than a band saw, but...different situations, different tools.
The rest of the time my 15 has plenty of non-serrated blade for any job.
 
Kbrasmodeler said:
Okay, you win. Serrations are the end all-be all of cutting.:D Im going to go and grind serrations into all of my blades. I will soon have an 18", fully serrated machete! Watch me!

:D:D:D:D:D:D

Please take this as the joke it is meant to be...
Click to expand...

:D Good one! Made me smile.:thumbup::)
 
Saw teeth are a different matter. My "country" SAK has a saw blade for wood. It also has a file for metal. The blade does not have serrations though.

If I have a knife with a fundamentally bad blade profile such as a bayonet I often sharpen it with a file to maximize the microserrations. I like that better than actual serrations since it doesn't snag on things.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top