straight edge vs serrated edge ?

R

raz

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Dec 10, 2007
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Hi, I'm new to this forum and am a novice when it comes to knives. I was wondering if you guys could help me with some questions.

1. difference between straight and serrated..... pros cons of both

2. what type of edge to get for my kershaws I'm going to buy

As a christmas present I'm going to buy myself a kershaw blur, cyclone and jundyard dog. What types of edges should I get for these. The knives will be used for light duty stuff like cutting rope, and maybe some cleaning if possible with these knives. Help will be greatly appreciated as I believe all of you are very knowledgable when it comes to knives, I've learned so much just from reading some of your posts. Thanks!
 
I prefer straight edges, IMHO, they are easier to maintain and I have yet to find anything that a serrated edge would cut, that a plain edge wouldn't also.
 
Serrated edges have more cutting surface per inch of blade length and create a saw effect which makes it easier to cut through stuff. The edge does last longer for the above reasons. So if you will be someplace were resharpening for a while is not an option, then srrated might be for you.

Having said that, I prefer plain edged knives.
 
what do you mean by cleaning?

serrated would work for rope cutting, I don't care for it otherwise
 
Try this test yourself and see if it sheds some light on the subject. Assuming both blades are relatively sharp, cut through a loop of 1/2" malia rope. Then cut through a loop of hard plastic banding material like they use to on shipping containers.

My experience shows the straight edge is superior for cutting rope and the serrated edge is superior for cutting through the hard plastic/nylon banding material. I had to try it to believe the difference.
 
Serrated knives saw through things like rope well (how often do you cut rope?) and they saw through cardboard even when they get dull. I avoid serrated knives because I like to keep my knives extremely sharp and it is a hastle to sharpen serrated edges. I would only get serrated blades if you intend to never sharpen them. Serrated knives are also less flexible. If I am cutting wood, paper, plastic or even rope I do it better with my well-honed straight edge than I could with a dull serrated knife.

Part of the advantage of Kershaw knives is that they take a really great edge when you sharpen them. If you are going to buy serrated knives I would buy a whole bunch of cheap ones rather than fewer expensive ones. The cheap ones you can throw away when they get dull.
 
Honestly, it really comes down to personal preference. I do have a couple knives with a partially serrated edge and use them and they work fine. Serrated edge will tear more than it will cut on certain things. I prefer plain edge knives because they are much easier to sharpen. If you do not like to sharpen your knives, then maybe serrated would be best in an emergency situation if you dont keep your knives very sharp regularly. Weigh the pros and cons and determine what is most important to you.
 
I personally prefer PE blades myself but recently discovered that SE blades truly excel at breaking down cardboard, fiberboard and such. You really need to try it to believe it. Sure a PE will do the same but not for as long or with the same efficiency. Breaking down boxes actually becomes fun with a serrated edge. You might want to consider getting one blade of the three you're going to purchase in a fully SE blade. I carry one blade of each or a multi-tool which has both just to be better prepared. Also, SE edges really aren't that hard to resharpen if you have the right sharpening tool to complete the job. Most of the guided systems on the market have a special hone just for these edges. Spyderco's Sharpmaker (in addition to their 701 Profile hone set which is spectacular for bringing them back to spooky sharpness) is probably the best overall choice for maintaining a SE in addition to traditional PE blades.

Good luck.

NJ
 
I always carry one of each.

My general EDC's are a Benchmade 530 plain edge, and an Endura ZDP-189 fully serrated.

I've found that PE's and SE's are really different animals, useful for very different kinds of tasks.

If I've got to pick just one, I'd go with a very, very sharp PE in a great steel.
But I really like having one of each.
 
I personally prefer a sharp plain edge. Stropping every once in a while isn't that bad, and I think that a sharp PE will outperform serrated edges.
 
I've slowly progressed to preferring plain edge myself. I carry a serrated if I'm out in the field with the military where their are more ropes/parachute cord/etc to cut. But for an EDC I find that a PE gives me more control with what I cut, and while it might just be astetics (sp?), it leaves a much cleaner cut if it's something I plan to use in public. A serrated tears more then cuts as someone already pointed out. *shrug* But in the end it's what you prefer. Get at least one of each and see what you prefer...
 
If you want to sharpen considerably less often but are willing to put a little more effort into it, then serrations will be fine. If you don't mind (or like) sharpening frequently, you will be able to cut through almost anything equally well (arguably better) besides coarse/fibrous materials with plain edge.

IMHO if you're cutting rope all the day you really have to get a serrated blade, especially one that's fully serrated like the Spyderco Endura4 SE. It is good to have choices, so if you're getting multiple knives consider getting a few in plain edge and then pick out something with nice serrations. It's generally agreed that Spyderco's serrations are the best in the industry...
 
It's pretty much just personal preference. Outside of a blade on my Leatherman, I only have straight edges.

You couldn't really whittle as well or do detailed or 'finnicky' cutting as well with a serrated edge, but that's about the only limit that I could think of.

Some could argue that a serrated or partially serrated edge is less sheeple friendly. I think that'd be a fair observation.
 
If you get a Spyderco sharpmaker it's just as easy to sharpen a serrated knife. I have both straight edge and serrated knifes. I use the one that's best suited to the task. It's like a long blade versus a short blade, what's best depends on the task.
 
With repeated sharpening the appearance of serrated edges tend to degrade. I can keep a serrated blade sharp, but over time it looks sloppier and sloppier. You really need a special grinder and fixtures to keep serrations looking like new.
 
It depends on the use. I like fully serrated blades for extended sessions of cutting abrasive material without access to a sharpener. For regular EDC style utility use, I like a plain edge.

For instance:

Need to cut down fifty or so cardboard boxes at work? Take a fully serrated knife, hands down. It will get the job done many times quicker and with more consistency than a plain edge blade. I know this from experience.

Just want a blade in your pocket for the any and all type little tasks that may come your way? Well, the plain edge is more versatile and precise for the random whatevers.

Serrated blades are indispensable in certain heavy duty situations, and no matter what people say, a well sharpened plain edge will not handle some things like a serrated blade will.
 
I guess I'm old school, but I like a plain edge for several reasons which are evident without me expounding on them. I have several serrated blades, but I EDC a plain blade. You must choose the tool that matches the job, and I find more of my jobs are better done with a plain blade. I will add however, the Early Americans used flint and obsidian which might be compared to our serrated blades more of necessity than choice, but they got by just fine. If you have ever collected stone artifacts and know anything about the ages of some patterns, you will notice that as time went on efforts were made to refine the edges even on flint knives. Just some thoughts to ponder!
 
I've a drawer full of mostly Benchmades, and while I have both PE and combo blades I prefer the PE's for EDC use. They're easier to sharpen and keep clean, and when I'm on the road I always have an SOG Paratool handy in the kit, which has pliers and a serrated blade.

And even at that, I've yet to use the serrated blade, while I use my PE knives every day for chores in the kitchen and outside.
 
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