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Straight edge or serrations which do you prefer and why
- Thread starter Kim Breed
- Start date
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2004
- Messages
- 8,436
Well, since I can carry more than one knife, I really don't have to worry about deciding.
I really do prefer straight edges, since that is what i find most useful 99.99% of the time. But there is no denying the utility of serrations for certain uses.
Another thing-since I am obsessive-compulsive, and WILL NOT carry a dull knife, I need to spend too much time sharpening the serrations.
I really do prefer straight edges, since that is what i find most useful 99.99% of the time. But there is no denying the utility of serrations for certain uses.
Another thing-since I am obsessive-compulsive, and WILL NOT carry a dull knife, I need to spend too much time sharpening the serrations.
- Joined
- Apr 26, 1999
- Messages
- 481
Plain edges for me. I hardly ever have need of serrations. I have no doubts about whether I could cut a seatbelt with whichever knife I am carrying at the time. I'm sure that good, sharp serrations (like Spyderco) would cut well, but I've always found serrations start to tear very quickly.
Regarding cooking, "they say" that you need serrations for tomatoes and for bread. I do use serrated knives for bread, but I've never had the slightest problem using my plain edges on tomatoes.
Paul
Regarding cooking, "they say" that you need serrations for tomatoes and for bread. I do use serrated knives for bread, but I've never had the slightest problem using my plain edges on tomatoes.
Paul
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2005
- Messages
- 6,768
Overwhelmingly prefer straight. I have a few serrated edged blades and since I sharpen freehand they are a pain in the butt for me to deal with.. 
Serrated does have it's moments and uses though , I use a cheap Gerber for work , the serrations were long ago "modified" on a grinder to cut faster and to sharpen easier.
Serrated does have it's moments and uses though , I use a cheap Gerber for work , the serrations were long ago "modified" on a grinder to cut faster and to sharpen easier.
silenthunterstudios
Slipjoint Addict
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2005
- Messages
- 20,039
I don't know, never really tested any fixed blades or folders out in a competition to see what was better. Definitely, serrations are cooler, but I think straight edges serve my needs more. I'll check it out on some brush removal in the field.
The only time I like serations is on a cheap , dedicated blade . IE : a serated blade on a multitool , (these I always carry around work ) or something like a FRN Delica . Both of these items being expendable ordinance and used for stuff you shouldn't use a knife for . For my good stuff no way ! The only tiny exception I make is a Benchmade 960 with a partialy serated blade . I didn't want it but the price was right , and it gives a small gent's folder a lot of cutting power . That said it's supremly butt fugly .
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2004
- Messages
- 1,500
Well, when I first started with these fancy "tactical folders", I couldn't decide either, so I kinda hedged my bet; many of my first folders were combo-edge (AKA partly serrated).
The more I used them, the more I realized that the serrations rarely came in handy, and reduced the usable plain edge more than I liked; so, nowadays, I buy plain edges, almost exclusively. (*Almost*; if I see a rare, discontinued or limited edition knife for sale, I won't let the partial serrations stop me!)
From what I've seen, Knife Knuts overwhelmingly prefer plain edges. Why? For starters, they appeal to the purist; Knuts like a nice, beyond-shaving-sharp edge on their knives, and lots of it. Serrations are a waste of space for most.
So, why are there so many serrated blades out there? Three reasons, I think...
One: for some people, serrated blades really ARE more useful. Examples: My sister and brother-in-law own horses; the B.I.L. mostly uses a battered old Spyderco Mariner for cutting haybale twine, rope, cardboard, leather, feedbags, etc., and it works perfectly for him. Also, I have a friend who has a job in shipping, spends a lot of time on a loading dock, and has to cut plastic strapping and industrial saran-wrap many times a day; his fully serrated Endura is the perfect tool for the job. And as someone else already mentioned, they come in real handy in the kitchen for breads and vegetables.
Two: They look cool, and appeal to the "mall ninjas". You know the folks I mean, the ones poring over the cheepie Chinese knock-offs, looking for the scariest-looking knife on the table. In their case, serrations are purely for cosmetic marketing purposes.
Three: They can actually be useful to those non-Knuts who don't know better. These folks *do* use their knives, but generally buy cheap; when it gets dull, they'll chuck it rather than sharpen it (assuming they even know how to sharpen knives!). A dull serrated blade will cut (more like saw, really), where a dull plain blade gets very useless very fast.
The more I used them, the more I realized that the serrations rarely came in handy, and reduced the usable plain edge more than I liked; so, nowadays, I buy plain edges, almost exclusively. (*Almost*; if I see a rare, discontinued or limited edition knife for sale, I won't let the partial serrations stop me!)
From what I've seen, Knife Knuts overwhelmingly prefer plain edges. Why? For starters, they appeal to the purist; Knuts like a nice, beyond-shaving-sharp edge on their knives, and lots of it. Serrations are a waste of space for most.
So, why are there so many serrated blades out there? Three reasons, I think...
One: for some people, serrated blades really ARE more useful. Examples: My sister and brother-in-law own horses; the B.I.L. mostly uses a battered old Spyderco Mariner for cutting haybale twine, rope, cardboard, leather, feedbags, etc., and it works perfectly for him. Also, I have a friend who has a job in shipping, spends a lot of time on a loading dock, and has to cut plastic strapping and industrial saran-wrap many times a day; his fully serrated Endura is the perfect tool for the job. And as someone else already mentioned, they come in real handy in the kitchen for breads and vegetables.
Two: They look cool, and appeal to the "mall ninjas". You know the folks I mean, the ones poring over the cheepie Chinese knock-offs, looking for the scariest-looking knife on the table. In their case, serrations are purely for cosmetic marketing purposes.
Three: They can actually be useful to those non-Knuts who don't know better. These folks *do* use their knives, but generally buy cheap; when it gets dull, they'll chuck it rather than sharpen it (assuming they even know how to sharpen knives!). A dull serrated blade will cut (more like saw, really), where a dull plain blade gets very useless very fast.
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2002
- Messages
- 2,954
Hi there, Kim. Nice to see you posting around here.
I too, prefer straight edges. I can see the benefit of serrations in certain circumstances, like when cutting rubber tubing or food on a hard plate, but here's why I prefer straight edges for my uses.
1. My EDC is a one hand folder, and a traditional slipjoint, (usually another knife or two as well) so even if I have to dull my edge, I have plenty of sharp edges in reserve to get me through the day.
2. At least one of my blades is always sharpened with a coarse aggressive edge, which act like micro serrations anyway.
3. I don't like the pattern serrations leave when whittling wood.
4. I do a lot of scraping around the farm- a task for the plain edge.
5. I do a lot of improvised field sharpening. I often use a rock or even concrete to restore a heavily used blade to decent working sharpness, "steel" my edge on a piece of glass, steel, old file, etc, and strop my edges on my pant leg, or throw some dust on the tractor tire for an improvised strop. Serrations are very difficult to sharpen in any of these fashions.
6. I hate the way serrations snag and get hung up when cutting. When slicing open a pallet load of seed or feed, a serrated blade will get hung up on whichever scallop is dullest, rather than sliding to the next scallop. If there is a dull spot on a straight edge, it will automatically slide to the next sharp area, making the work go more smoothly.
7. The above also applies to defense, as far as I'm concerned. I've tried serrations on animals several times, and they tend to snag on skin and get hung up, rather than slicing to the bone. And, when they do get to bone, they get hung up as well, stopping the blade cold, rather than sliding past. (by sliding past the bone, at least the cut can continue uninteruppted and into more flesh)
Most of the above was written in regards to Spyderco type serrations. I figure if a less agressive pattern were used, with more rounded teeth, they'd have a lot less problems with snagging. But that still won't solve several of my other complaints.
best regards,
-the possum
I too, prefer straight edges. I can see the benefit of serrations in certain circumstances, like when cutting rubber tubing or food on a hard plate, but here's why I prefer straight edges for my uses.
1. My EDC is a one hand folder, and a traditional slipjoint, (usually another knife or two as well) so even if I have to dull my edge, I have plenty of sharp edges in reserve to get me through the day.
2. At least one of my blades is always sharpened with a coarse aggressive edge, which act like micro serrations anyway.
3. I don't like the pattern serrations leave when whittling wood.
4. I do a lot of scraping around the farm- a task for the plain edge.
5. I do a lot of improvised field sharpening. I often use a rock or even concrete to restore a heavily used blade to decent working sharpness, "steel" my edge on a piece of glass, steel, old file, etc, and strop my edges on my pant leg, or throw some dust on the tractor tire for an improvised strop. Serrations are very difficult to sharpen in any of these fashions.
6. I hate the way serrations snag and get hung up when cutting. When slicing open a pallet load of seed or feed, a serrated blade will get hung up on whichever scallop is dullest, rather than sliding to the next scallop. If there is a dull spot on a straight edge, it will automatically slide to the next sharp area, making the work go more smoothly.
7. The above also applies to defense, as far as I'm concerned. I've tried serrations on animals several times, and they tend to snag on skin and get hung up, rather than slicing to the bone. And, when they do get to bone, they get hung up as well, stopping the blade cold, rather than sliding past. (by sliding past the bone, at least the cut can continue uninteruppted and into more flesh)
Most of the above was written in regards to Spyderco type serrations. I figure if a less agressive pattern were used, with more rounded teeth, they'd have a lot less problems with snagging. But that still won't solve several of my other complaints.
best regards,
-the possum
Some of my dumber friends like and carry the serrated edge blades because they think they never need to be sharpened. OK 
I prefer plain edge myself and hate combo blades, if I want a serrated edge I want the whole blade serrated, not just an inch or so at the back.
I prefer plain edge myself and hate combo blades, if I want a serrated edge I want the whole blade serrated, not just an inch or so at the back.
- Joined
- Apr 1, 1999
- Messages
- 468
I have carried both - Prefer plain Edge - Easier to sharpen + I haven't found anything I need to cut, that a plain edge can't take care of.
Having said that, as a dealer, I probably sell more serrated/combo blade knives - I don't know if it is the coolness factor; or that serrated blades just look more tactical. I almost always stock both blade styles on folders that sell well: Some models I just stock combo blades. It is always refreshing when someone comes up to the table and asks if I have a particular combo/serrated edge model, that is on display, in plain edge.
Having said that, as a dealer, I probably sell more serrated/combo blade knives - I don't know if it is the coolness factor; or that serrated blades just look more tactical. I almost always stock both blade styles on folders that sell well: Some models I just stock combo blades. It is always refreshing when someone comes up to the table and asks if I have a particular combo/serrated edge model, that is on display, in plain edge.
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2005
- Messages
- 7
Personally, i prefer a serrated edge for the most part. I own a majority spyderco and the spyderedge has always offered me a clean cut and holds its edge for an increditable amount of time. I own both serrated and plain edge, as well as several combo edge, on a day to day i carry either my spyderco native II SS (combo edge), or mini griptillian (combo). I can honestly say that seration has its perks, in my case its the only way to go.
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2004
- Messages
- 3,178
I used to prefer a serrated edge on the ship, as it seemed to work better on larger lines and that was usually what I was cutting. Plus, incidental contact with metal surfaces was common; sooner or later, even the plain edge knives were serrated.
In retrospect, a plain edge could've done just as well, had I known how to sharpen one properly back then.
There is one time that I was extremely happy to have had a fully serrated edge and it's a bit of a story so please, bear with me here. (If you're not in the mood to hear it, by all means move on - I tend to ramble a bit.) Here goes:
A while back, I was in search of a large, fully serrated, Americanized-tanto style folder. This, to me (at the time), was the perfect format...nearly indestructable, durable edge, and a secondary edge that would make for a good chisel/scraper should the need arise. Not too many people make these I guess. I did eventually find one and got the biggest one available - a 5". Good thing, too.
One fateful Friday I was tasked with heading to base first thing in the morning for PT, then heading out to my primary place of employment - a naval reservation in the middle of nowhere, 15-20 minutes from the base. As I was departing from the base, I noticed an odd vibration toward the rear of my car. As it was old and had been rode hard and put away wet more than a few times during its interesting life, I was not surprised and was mentally preparing myself for a Saturday of wrenching.
Several miles out the gate and on the highway, my right rear tire delaminated. Ever seen those "razorbacks" left on the shoulders by the big rigs? That's what happened to me, although not quite so badly; the detached strip of rubber remained anchored at one end.
Although it was still on, it was striking my car so hard that the mud guard detached in only a few seconds and the wheel well was taking a beating. I made it to the shoulder but I could not continue driving like this. I did not have roadside assistance and did not care to pay for a tow. The Kitsap Mall (which had a Sears, complete with tire shop) was only a few miles away. My spare had dry rotted and was useless. It was time to get creative.
I was lucky. The knife was clipped to my uniform, which was laying in my back seat. I figured that if I could cut off the offending strip, I'd have have a dangerously thin tire but it would hold long enough to get me to Sears. (Even if it was flat, I could probably make it.) I got to it. Part of the way in, I realized that the detached strip contained the belt and I'd have to saw through that as well. It took about ten minutes to get all the way through; the blade was too hot to touch when I was done.
Long story short, I made it to Sears and the folks there got big kick out of the whole story. (Not that it saved me any money.) I don't believe that this would've been possible with a plain edge. It didn't save lives or anything, but it saved me a good chunk of change.
As a final note, I recently found this same knife sitting around gathering dust; its serrations were damaged beyond usefulness. I took it to the belt sander and made it a plain edge. It's now back in service.
Lessons learned? I've only ever needed a serrated edge once, but when I needed it, I needed it. That being said, put me in the plain edge camp. I see a pattern here with myself included - starting with serrations and ending with plain edges. I personally don't care for combination edges; in my mind, they're a compromise that combines the worst of both designs unless the blade length is long enough to rule out folders.
Now that I think about it, a politically-correct multitool usually features a plain edge, a saw, and possibly a combination edge as well - the best of both worlds. I never seem to use mine for anything other than a pair of pliars, though.
Sorry for the ramble but this is one of the stories that I trot out for folks I know who don't see the need for carrying a good knife. I left the manufacturer's name out intentionally as this isn't a discussion of brands, but of designs.
In retrospect, a plain edge could've done just as well, had I known how to sharpen one properly back then.
There is one time that I was extremely happy to have had a fully serrated edge and it's a bit of a story so please, bear with me here. (If you're not in the mood to hear it, by all means move on - I tend to ramble a bit.) Here goes:
A while back, I was in search of a large, fully serrated, Americanized-tanto style folder. This, to me (at the time), was the perfect format...nearly indestructable, durable edge, and a secondary edge that would make for a good chisel/scraper should the need arise. Not too many people make these I guess. I did eventually find one and got the biggest one available - a 5". Good thing, too.
One fateful Friday I was tasked with heading to base first thing in the morning for PT, then heading out to my primary place of employment - a naval reservation in the middle of nowhere, 15-20 minutes from the base. As I was departing from the base, I noticed an odd vibration toward the rear of my car. As it was old and had been rode hard and put away wet more than a few times during its interesting life, I was not surprised and was mentally preparing myself for a Saturday of wrenching.
Several miles out the gate and on the highway, my right rear tire delaminated. Ever seen those "razorbacks" left on the shoulders by the big rigs? That's what happened to me, although not quite so badly; the detached strip of rubber remained anchored at one end.
Although it was still on, it was striking my car so hard that the mud guard detached in only a few seconds and the wheel well was taking a beating. I made it to the shoulder but I could not continue driving like this. I did not have roadside assistance and did not care to pay for a tow. The Kitsap Mall (which had a Sears, complete with tire shop) was only a few miles away. My spare had dry rotted and was useless. It was time to get creative.
I was lucky. The knife was clipped to my uniform, which was laying in my back seat. I figured that if I could cut off the offending strip, I'd have have a dangerously thin tire but it would hold long enough to get me to Sears. (Even if it was flat, I could probably make it.) I got to it. Part of the way in, I realized that the detached strip contained the belt and I'd have to saw through that as well. It took about ten minutes to get all the way through; the blade was too hot to touch when I was done.
Long story short, I made it to Sears and the folks there got big kick out of the whole story. (Not that it saved me any money.) I don't believe that this would've been possible with a plain edge. It didn't save lives or anything, but it saved me a good chunk of change.
As a final note, I recently found this same knife sitting around gathering dust; its serrations were damaged beyond usefulness. I took it to the belt sander and made it a plain edge. It's now back in service.
Lessons learned? I've only ever needed a serrated edge once, but when I needed it, I needed it. That being said, put me in the plain edge camp. I see a pattern here with myself included - starting with serrations and ending with plain edges. I personally don't care for combination edges; in my mind, they're a compromise that combines the worst of both designs unless the blade length is long enough to rule out folders.
Now that I think about it, a politically-correct multitool usually features a plain edge, a saw, and possibly a combination edge as well - the best of both worlds. I never seem to use mine for anything other than a pair of pliars, though.
Sorry for the ramble but this is one of the stories that I trot out for folks I know who don't see the need for carrying a good knife. I left the manufacturer's name out intentionally as this isn't a discussion of brands, but of designs.
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2003
- Messages
- 5,337
A serrated blade has an excellent advantage with cord and loose material. It is, however, a right handed saw. I keep my straight edges well honed and use them in preference as I am ambidextrous and there are too many things a serrated edge cant do. These duel edged blades, straight and serrated, seem to reduce the effectives of each other. If there is a full length serrated blade on a multi tool I use it accordingly.