The Elitist's War on Bushcraft: Part II !!! SERRATIONS!!!

Sam Wilson

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Sep 3, 2012
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OK, for the next installment in the War on Bushcraft series, we tackle one of the biggest myths in Bushcraft: That you can't bushcraft with a serrated knife. I don't know why people hate serrations so much. The much-maligned modification can be a great asset, and while it may not be for everybody, or every task, they can certainly be used for most things. I love when people say something to the effect of "I haven't found anything a serrated edge can do that a properly sharpened straight edge can't do." No kidding. Well, how about if your knife has actually been used, and the edge is actually dulled? Take your dull straight edge, and I will take my dull serrations, and I will bet you dollars to doughnuts that serrations will cut circles around the straight edge. But anyway, here's the vid, hope you enjoy. As always, take your sense of humor with you.


[video=youtube_share;p3HFSY9uf1Q]http://youtu.be/p3HFSY9uf1Q[/video]
 
My complaint against serrations is they are on the wrong part of the knife. I'd rather have them right near the tip for occasional use rather than near the ricasso.
 
"Notice I'm actually using the serrations almost exclusively, and I haven't died yet."

LOL :D


Next you need to cover the "you NEED a full-tang blade" myth. Well, I guess the fact that you're using a folding knife kind of already covers that.
 
Hell, you can "bushcraft" with a sharpened spoon, if you need to. Doesn't mean it's what I would choose to use...:D
 
Seriously, man; I can't find a statement that you cannot do bushcraft with a serrated knife. You are sure going to win this one.

HD, I have held one part-serrated knife with the serrations toward the tip. 0___0
 
Please tell me those serrations are symmetrical, and not chisel ground. That would just be...too much:(

Can you sharpen them on a rock? Huh, CAN YOU? :mad:



What's next, a video of shredding some wood with a brick on the corner of your house or the edge of a rock for the people who insist you must have a razor sharp knife to make tinder?
You are so gonna get voted off the island...
 
Over the years I've tried to like them and just cannot. I even purchased a few two years ago to give them another honest try. I just can't like them. So far the only thing I've found they do better out of everything I tried is carving pumpkins. If I have to have a blade with serations I want mine on top of the clip point and not extending past that point.
 
My complaint against serrations is they are on the wrong part of the knife. I'd rather have them right near the tip for occasional use rather than near the ricasso.

Totally agree with you buddy, why can Victorinox understand this but nobody else ?
 
I use them. Not for everything, but I use them. There are times I can think of that what I was doing would have taken much longer with a plain edge, like small sawing tasks.
 
[Carbon1;11767747] "I haven't found anything a serrated edge can do that a properly sharpened straight edge can't do." No kidding. Well, how about if your knife has actually been used, and the edge is actually dulled? Take your dull straight edge, and I will take my dull serrations, and I will bet you dollars to doughnuts that serrations will cut circles around the straight edge.
I have said as much on the first part, and the second part of your statement assumes incorrectly that I don't have a stone or steel to touch up the fine edge as needed. Which is a whole lot easier to do with a fine edge knife than serrated bladed. As smithhammer said I can bushcraft with a spoon or a rock, I would rather have a decent knife and since I can sharpen an knife and keep it sharp don't need serrations
If you like them go for it, only you know what works for you. I also will not tell any one how to spend their hard earned money . For me Serrations on a knife is a deal killer. with the exception of a sentimental gift I gave everything I had with serrations away
Roy
 
OP - Oh nos. Someone should be preparing your epitaph right now. As we speak, tons of 'authentic' bushcrafters are on their way to your door right now. It will take them a while in their horse/buggy contraptions, but be expecting the buckskin brigade soon.

No doubt they will be carrying $120 plus 'bushcraft' small forest axes by GB (I own one, not knocking, well OK I am making fun of myself), $300+ custom 'bushcraft knives'. Or they could be slumming with a $5 'bushcraft' knife. Either way, if you see buckskin in the near future, RUN!
 
You're in trouble.
Not only was it partially serrated.
Not only was it stainless.
Not only was it a folder.
But it was a COLD STEEL.

That's an executable offense in most "bushcraft" circles from what I've seen.

If you really want to see people get red-faced, use an OKC-3S for bushcraft.

Not only is it partially serrated, and not full tang, but it's, it's, it's.........


a BAYONET!!!!!! The horrors! LOL

images


Everyone knows you can't bushcraft if you can't put the thumb of the grip finger on the spine.....
 
Hey plumberroy, just to be clear, I didn't assume anything, and certainly not incorrectly. Well, I guess I assumed you had an adult level of reading comprehension, because I said "DULL straight edge" VS. dull serrations, not "freshly field-sharpened straight edge VS. dull serrated edge." You still lose. Moving on, OwenM, they were chisel ground. I repent publicly, buddy, but you called it. And I like that bayonet, Ulfhedinn. The horrors is right, when you put that thumb on the spine, the only thing you are is in COMPLETE CONTROL! YEAH! And you're right, I used a Cold Steel on purpose. Somebody save my spot in the Ninth Circle of Hell...
 
OP - Oh nos. Someone should be preparing your epitaph right now. As we speak, tons of 'authentic' bushcrafters are on their way to your door right now. It will take them a while in their horse/buggy contraptions, but be expecting the buckskin brigade soon.

No doubt they will be carrying $120 plus 'bushcraft' small forest axes by GB (I own one, not knocking, well OK I am making fun of myself), $300+ custom 'bushcraft knives'. Or they could be slumming with a $5 'bushcraft' knife. Either way, if you see buckskin in the near future, RUN!

It's like you can see the future...I am going to have to start incorporating a Shin cup into my videos in honor of you. I'll do that right after I make some buckskin pants for plumberroy. Seriously guys, I'm just having some fun here and stepping out of the comfort zone a little bit. Let's have a laugh at my expense, as it seems most of you get it, and enjoy getting out to the woods. I think that's why we do all of this anyway. In my first post I explained how this was supposed to be humorous, let's laugh, not argue. The fire still got started, right? Cool, keep the comments and laughs coming. Thanks for keeping me entertained.
 
"Notice I'm actually using the serrations almost exclusively, and I haven't died yet."

LOL :D

I hate to say it, but that was the part that cracked me up while I was editing the video. Thanks
 
Dude, the thumb on the spine thing is an inspiration. You don't know how many times I've had 'experts' tell me that I'm doing it wrong because I occasionally put the thumb on top of the spine if I am doing finer work.

You HAVE to make a video with a Bear Grylls knife. Your fans demand it!

I was at a garage sale when I lived in Kansas City and there was one of those hollow handled rambo knives on a table so I bought it for a lark. I'll have to see if I can dig that out. I might try to put that in my outdoors book club series and see if anyone catches it.
 
Hmmmmm a"Bushcraft Bayonet"

My son likes to use his M7. Even though he has many knives better suited for "bushcraft". I'll have to take pics next time he and I go out.
 
You can do whatever you want with whatever you have.

I don't like serrated knives for anything but rope cutting.

I certainly won't tell you that you can't like them for other stuff, though.
 
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