To serrate or or not to serrate--that is the question

KarlMaldensNose

KarlMaldensNose

Joined
Feb 3, 2009
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Picking up a 3 for camping and can't decide on serrations. I've never had a serrated knife before so I'm thinking now would be a good time to try one. I've heard from many on this forum that they come in handy in the bush for stuff like rope, cordage, fibrous material, etc. I'm not into bushcraft stuff like whittling, carving, etc. so whether or not serrations are a hinderance for those tasks is not an issue. What I'm mostly concerned about is how they do with batoning. Not that I plan on doing much batoning with a 3-inch blade, but if I ever have to, do serrations get in the way? I realize each company does their own version of serrations, so how do ESEE's particular style of serrations do with batoning?

Also, I'm well aware of the popular opinion that serrations are never necessary if the knife is properly sharpened. And I somewhat agree with that, as much as I can without ever having had a serrated knife to fairly come to an informed opinion. So let's please leave that angle out of this particular discussion.:)
 
My 5 is serrated and I've batoned a crapload of wood with it, no problem. Give it a try, if you don't like them, send the knife off to have it reground as a recurve.
 
the ESEE serrations are the least intrusive i've ever used. they work just fine and you sharpen them with regular stones. no need for sharpening rods to maintain the edge.
they don't get in the way of batonning, work well for fluffing up tinder, etc.

i'm not a fan of serrations as a rule, but i like the style ESEE uses.
 
I've never been a big fan of serrations but I really like them on my RC-3MIL. They have not been a big deal to sharpen, and I've used it to baton with no problems.
 
As stated, you have options if you hate it...it's offered because some folks really like/want serrations. They aren't for me, but I bet a lot of folks love 'em.

It's still the same tough knife - it's hard to believe you'd go wrong either way.
 
I have had a ESEE 3 w/ both serrations and none and I liked the knife with not serrations. I feel they just get in the way when cutting and sharpening.
 
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