The point of serrations?

[KennyB]

What exactly is the point of serrations? I've always been told that they're made to keep the cutting portion of the edge lifted off of a surface, allowing them to stay sharper for longer. However, looking at pretty much every partially serrated knife I've ever seen, it would be pretty much impossible to use them like this since the serrations are on the back portion of the blade, making them pretty much the last portion that is going to make contact with a surface.

I was wondering because I was thinking it'd be kind of cool to see a 1/4 partial serration at the tip of a blade. The tip of the blade because it seems to me this is the most likely part to come into contact with hard surfaces, and 1/4 because I like to use my knives as a steak-knife and that's all I have to worry about.

In any case, in day dreaming about that I Just wondered, "Maybe there's something else to serrations?" I've noticed that the "toothiness" makes them fairly useful where one would otherwise be using a plain edge for quite a while, kind of like a saw or something.

 

[SparkyMark86]

Google search "tops tactical steak knife"
Looks like this might be what you weree thinking of. IDK?

I use my serrated knives for cutting fiberous material like rope and zip ties at my home and work. They work well enough for my uses and don't dull as fast as plain edges.

 

[KennyB]

Google search "tops tactical steak knife"
Looks like this might be what you weree thinking of. IDK?

I use my serrated knives for cutting fiberous material like rope and zip ties at my home and work. They work well enough for my uses and don't dull as fast as plain edges.

Yeah, that is pretty close to what I was thinking, except that I would make it serrated all the way out to the tip. I mean, honestly, I would just use a steak knife, but it made me wonder why they're not on the front of a knife instead of the back.

 

[Chris Pierce]

Check out the Boker Direkt. It has serrations on the forward part of the blade. Aside from the weird finger guard it is a pretty nice knife.

 

[PayetteRucker]

Serrations are most often used for expedient cutting of fiberous material-rope, cloth, etc. The teeth also add more edge area in a smaller space. Sometimes they're very useful and sometimes they just get in the way, it really depends on intended use, design of the knife and the design of the serrations themselves.

 

[ginaz]

yes, they increase cutting surface for a given length and they also increase the angle of the blade going into the stuff being cut

 

[JeremiahWeaver09]

to cut through thick clothing.

 

[John E Woven]

Serrations will always cut. Always.

 

[pagey1973]

Check out the Boker Direkt. It has serrations on the forward part of the blade..............

Yes I agree. I don't own the knife, so I can't comment on it, but it was the first knife to mind after reading the OP.

Actually, does anyone know of another folder with...um....'forward' serrations?

 

[lava_lamp]

Yes I agree. I don't own the knife, so I can't comment on it, but it was the first knife to mind after reading the OP.

Actually, does anyone know of another folder with...um....'forward' serrations?

http://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-One-Hand-Trekker-Lockblade-Pocket/dp/B000687B44

 

[Dr Heelhook]

The reason serrations are usually placed closest to the hilt is that that is the part of your knife where you have the most strength and can apply the most pressure with the edge. Serrations are made for cutting through rough material, where you want as much power as possible.

 

[Albin]

And despite the hate, I won't buy a knife without serrations if I can help it.

I have a BM Mini-Grip on order, desert tan scales, Tanto blade shape with serrations.

Next up is a desert tan ESEE-3 with serrations [must keep from clicking the "buy now" link....]


Al

 

[pwet]

Serrations will always tear. Always.

true.

 

[viva la]

 

[Dr Heelhook]

Serrations will always tear. Always.

true.

If the material that you are cutting is so delicate that your knife will tear through it, why do you need to use a knife at all? You can just tear it with your hands.

 

[clearytja]

My father was a lineman and he swore by serrations. My brother and I joke about how much use our knives get but his GOT used. One of his favorites was a Spyderco fully serrated mariner. Used it for about five years...and it looks like it!
TC

 

[dsmegst]

I find that a set of properly done serrations on a knife is very useful in the garage but I still prefer a plain edge for EDC.

I think my first serrated edge was the one in my Leatherman Supertool and it amazed me the first time I cut with it. It may not be the best blade steel in the world but it cuts very well.

 

[gus68]

I see combo blades on a variety of survival type knives, can you actually baton with one? Just curious.

 

[Macchina]

I see combo blades on a variety of survival type knives, can you actually baton with one? Just curious.

Ha ha! battoning with serrations...

To quote a Skittles commercial: "That's one contradiction eating another!"

 

[sambo.]

serrations are there to irritate me.

about the only time i could see myself buying a serrated knife would be for offshore yacht sailing/racing. on the rare occasion when you NEED to cut a line on a racing yacht, you NEED to cut it NOW! one memorable occasion was the choice: cut the kite* hailyard or lose the mast. we cut the hailyard (with a plain edged, sea-scouts Dirk from memory)

even then, i'd probably carry a ~3" plain edge fixed blade.

* fyi: kite = spinnaker