Serrations Yes or No

[Mistwalker]

If you had to make a choice in picking two knives, one fixed and one folder, to last you an undetermined amount of time...perhaps indefinitely. Would one of these knives have serrations?

 

[trimcut123]

The folder would be plain edge
And I would get the fixed blade with serration's- just in case i didnt have access to a sharpen.. those serrations will cut longer than the dull plain edge.. Although a stone would work..

Otherwise Plain edge is my route.

 

[AfterTFD]

I have no use for serrations. I'm not saying that serrations are useless, it's just that nothing I ever do with a knife could be done more easily with their help.

 

[Artfully Martial]

It's very dependent on the situation, of course, but for hard core long term use, serrated blades last much longer due to the fact they have much, much longer cutting surfaces than do their plain edge counterparts.

 

[Hawkings]

If I have a choice between pe and se. I would go with pe 98% of the time.
But if I like a knife, se would not in any way stop me from getting it.

 

[tsuba]

combo edge on the 2 !

 

[cabala]

It isn't matter of good or bad. Serrated blades should be for one use without resharpening and are outstanding for wet flesh and vegetables ( especially for big whole fishes or small game ). Second combination would be with softer steel so it can be easier to resharpening.
For all other plain blade has no competition.

 

[knarfeng]

For all of my uses, non-serrated does just fine.

 

[T.K.C.]

Plain edge for me.

 

[zombievt]

No serrations for me.

 

[rifon2]

Plain edge folder; part serrated fixed blade.

 

[I.V]

Serrated blades should be for one use without resharpening.

I apologize but this statement is completely wrong. I respect the fact that some people don't like serrations, everyone has a right to like and use what they please but serrations possible to sharpen, it's really not difficult.
Granted, not all serrations are created equal but I've been using and EDCing a serrated knife (Spyderco) for over 7 years now and on a sharpmaker or several equivalent sharpeners I get them hair popping sharp every time and it doesn't take any longer than a PE knife. I have also sharpened serrated knives from countless other brands without any issue.
They also cut, not tear, yes a PE is a cleaner straighter cut but that is the nature of the beast.

Sharpening any knife, in any edge configuration takes a certain amount practice and skill, learn it and you'll never have a problem.
Also use the right tool for the right job, people try to sharpen serrations on a bench stone and then deem them impossible to sharpen.

 

[jumbles]

Like a few people have indicated, it all depends on the bulk of your work. For the last 10 years or so i've carried a tanto shaped (not sure of the technical description) blade with a serated part near the handle (a folder) I use it at work for numerous things, cutting rope, wire, small branches, gyprock, fibro and just about everything else i may need to do. (i'm an electrician) The best thing is that it works for what i'm doing with it.

 

[antonio_luiz]

This topic has been covered several times. Most BF respondents seem to favour PE. The wider community often go for SE because they don't have skills and/or desire to keep their knives sharp and SE will allow you to cut by sawing even when knife is no longer sharp.

 

[36Strategies]

I prefer a serrated blade when shaving only.

Just kidding of course.

When I'm looking out for a new knife I prefer the non serrated blade.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Plain edges on both. The only partially serrated blades I have are ones I got for free. And I don't use them.

 

[ceiw]

No serrations for me. Use to love...now don't much care for them.

 

[clearytja]

I would want serrations on the tip of the fixed blade. Vic does this on their one hander and I love it. It does not get in the way as much but are ther when you need them.
T

 

[Bors]

I don't buy serrations generally. I find that a well sharpened knife cuts just fine and it seems that serrated knives are harder to sell/trade.

 

[Confederate]

Well, it all depends on what sort of serrations you're talking about.

One thing I don't like about 'em is that you can't debark wood and whittle with them, so they're very limited out in the field. But the thing I do like about them, when serrations run up and down the entire blade, is that they are exceptional for defense. They make exceptionally nasty wounds and serve in many ways as a deterrent in the event someone may want to challenge you.

Cold Steel's serrations are, by far, the best in my opinion. The photo below is my Night Force and some paper the serrations slashed. The blade steel is 440A and these particular serrations are pointy enough to really break off like some of the more pointy variety. But to pick up a Night Force and slash paper like it was a plain edge—that's really great.

When it comes to the woods, though, being able to use a knife to cut wood is really necessary, and then I don't want serrations. A plain edge will let you cut wood to whatever shape you may need or to make a tool. So, really, the answer is that I'd want both.

The serrations on this Vaquero would make it a very dangerous
knife to face. A slash with a plain edge just wouldn't do the damage
that something like this would do.

For a field working knife, it's be hard to beat this Alaskan
Buck Vanguard.