Should a survival knife be semi-serrated, or totally smooth?

S

Serrinon

Joined
Aug 19, 2007
Messages
233
Hi all,

I've seen a lot of great knives in the last few weeks as I've been hunting around the forums, and I was wondering if you all think that it's best to have survival knives with blades that are semi-serrated or totally smooth?

Thanks!
 
plain edged is what I like two reasons being I don't carry large choppers and when you try and baton its easier with a plain edge and I once had the tips of the serrations snap off. Also Im fairly average at sharpening at home but even worse outdoors so plain edge in my opinion is the way to go.
 
Serrinon said:
Hi all,

I've seen a lot of great knives in the last few weeks as I've been hunting around the forums, and I was wondering if you all think that it's best to have survival knives with blades that are semi-serrated or totally smooth?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I too agree with the plain edge for most all of my outdoors knives. Partial serrated blades to have a niche with a lot of users, most of whom don't have the time or hobby of sharpening. Now with that said, serrations are handy for some cutting chores, but not enough to dedicate part of my main knife blade to them. I have a Chris Reeve's Project 1 and it has a little over an inch of their serrated edge just past the guard. If I was to have serrations, I would probably want them near the end of the blade so I can keep a decent plain edge closer to the handle for choking up and doing smaller cutting chores.

Another option is to just add a simple, fully serrated Spyderco Delica or Endura to your (plain-edged) "survival" knife package.

ROCK6
 
There is very little you can do with a serrated blade that you can't do with a well sharpened straight blade.
 
I get the impression that by survival knife you are talking about a fixed blade that will see work, as an all around camp tool, chopping prying cutting etc. in this case I have to agree that for most wilderness situations a plain edge would be preferable, especially over a partial serration.

I would agree with ROCK 6 that a small serrated knife like a Spyderco would be an excelent addition to a kit. I have a Serrated Salt and love the knife, I carry it now as a backup while outdoors
 
Plain edge, all the way. If you really feel like you need a serrated edge on a blade for some jobs, just carry another knife with an all-serrated blade.
 
Plain edge for most everything I can think to use a knife for. Serrations are great if you are working with a lot of rope such as boating.
 
I was an anti-serration guy until I got a Bundeswehr SAK OTH. It is an awesome cutter. I carry it in the woods hunting and use it to gather blind material. I love my Spyderco Endura, but I wish the serrations were on the front half of the blade like the OTH leaving the base of the blade straight for easier fuzz stick and general whittling (e.g. snares traps)

For my fixed blade no. For my small pocket knife, no. For a large pocket knife yes.
 
I made a comment on another thread about Bear Grills using Partial Serrated Knives and it seemed to set off a hot topic for some, I do think that Plane Edge is the way to go, the only serrated edge I have is on my Leatherman Core, I have it there and yes use it at times but I also have the PE blade. Survival Knife should be a PE!

RickJ
 
I always carry a fine edge knife and always a smaller pocket knife with a half serrated edge or a Leatherman with a serrated blade.
 
truth be told, I wouldn't mind a fully serrated knife for survival - a Spyderco fully serrated knife. I wouldn't have to worry about sharpening it and the fully serrated knife would do all the necessary "survival" tasks (except for chopping) possibly as well as a plain edge model.

in all likelihood, if I had a choice, I would go plain edge.
 
Plain edge for me, too. A sharp PE can do just about anything you need. Although, I do like Rock6' suggestion of carrying a serrated Spyderco, just in case...
 
EmsRescueGuy said:
I get the impression that by survival knife you are talking about a fixed blade that will see work, as an all around camp tool, chopping prying cutting etc. in this case I have to agree that for most wilderness situations a plain edge would be preferable, especially over a partial serration.

I would agree with ROCK 6 that a small serrated knife like a Spyderco would be an excelent addition to a kit. I have a Serrated Salt and love the knife, I carry it now as a backup while outdoors
Click to expand...

Yes, you are right, I'm looking for a fixed blade. The idea of the small serrated knife to compliment the larger plain edge seems to be a good compromise.

What sorts of tasks would I use the serrated blade for?

I'm still new to all of this, but I've been learning a lot from this forum and a number of books before I go off to the wilderness.
 
I prefer a plain blade. I don't like serrations for wood working, carving, etc. I can keep a plain blade razor sharp in the field, where sharpening a serrated knife is a pain. I carry a Fallkniven F1--- strong and simple.

If I were working with rope or other fiberous material, then a serrated blade works for me. If I were doing technical climbing, something like a Spyderco would be an important too. If I had a multi-blade knife like an SAK, then adding a serrated blade would be a plus. For light work and things like food prep a serrated blade is nice. The Victorinox serrated paring knife is a great little food prep tool on the trail --- 3/4oz and $3!
 
I prefer a plain edge but I have a few partially serrated survival knives and they work fine.
 
I'm new to all this, too.

I've been looking at plain edge blades with a saw back. Is the saw back of any real practical use in a wilderness scenario?
 
I tried combo edges and just don't like it.

I think the sawblade on a SAK would be more easy to use than the 1.5 inches of serrations on a combo edge.
 
I like to have a serrated edge so ideally I like to have a compact saw and a great nonserrated knife with a good long unserrated edge. I have a few partial serrated knives ranging from a Lightfoot Predator with partial serrations on the main edge to a Bill Sanders "survival knife" with serrations on the top edge (actually a "saw-back") The saw back works, but it doesn't compare to a saw. But the truth is I rely much more on my working Busses and Fehrman (a Hood design) that have no serrations and that keep a great edge.

Now I use the Predator in the car and the serrations can help in cutting (actually, sawing) through seatbelts and even door parts, if necessary. Also when I'm kayaking or canoeing I always have a knife with a serrated top (a custom Blackwood) for rope and the odd quick task where serrations help.
I used to prefer partial serrations on the main edge, but really that just gets in the way of a useful edge for most work. Most serrations aren't very efficient anyway.
Plus, I hate the look of "survival knives". Too many goofs carry them.
 
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