Verdict is in: Serrated Blades Are Best for Utility

Originally posted by bcutrufelli
if you cant decide buy a half and half . I don't like fully serated blades anyway. buy a spydie half serated best of bothe world
Click to expand...

Serration's have their use (cutting lots of cardboard, steak, plants). I prefer plain edged knives. But a Combo-edge blade just reminds me what I could do with a fully serrated blade or a Plain edge blade. The only folder where I find that a Combo-edge is good is the Spyderco Military, perfect amount of serrations and the perfect amount of a PE. You can also grip it the right way and have 2.5" of PE, no serrations in the way.
 
Wow. Sensitive subject. I have a Spyderco Endura that I used at work for a long time to cut shrink wrap and boxes. It worked great and was sharp for a long time. However, once it finally became dull I could never sharpen it well enough to satisfy me. I have tried all the serration sharpeners but I was not happy with the final result. I always try to stay away from serrations only for that reason. I do agree that they are good cutters when sharp but for EDC and most of my uses a plain edge is much more usefull and efficient. There are lots of idiot proof sharpening devices available now for plain edges so there is no reason not to be carrying a razor sharp plain blade everyday.
 
I haven't found serrated to take three times the time to sharpen though the blade edge is about three times the surface for the same length knife in non-serrated.

I think they take about the same time on a sharpmaker. I like people with serrated knives, I get 4.00 a knife if serrated and 3.00 for straights at the club on Sundays.

It's worth an extra 33 percent to sharpen serrated edges [ to the users ] and they pay up pretty quick when they see anothers knife after it is finished.

I actually buy my folders with the sharpening monies so I'm hoping they all have serrated knives, I can buy them sooner.:rolleyes:

Brownie
 
I really don't see the controversy. I love plain edge knives. They are much better for fine cuts and they just look better, however, when I have to cut up boxes or do a bunch of box opening, I much prefer serrations. Cleaning tape off of a serrated blade is a pain in the butt though.:p :D :barf:
 
I think the even more interesting subject is that i believe he called all you guys weenies and and he's getting away with it. :) :eek:
 
icemanjeff:

Try one of those tools that has the carbide V [vee] grinders to put a primary edge back on the knife, then sharpen. If you let serrated get that dull, the prinmary edge has taken it's last breath and will need to put put on hte edge before you can then sharpen it back to spec.

My carbide primary edge tool takes 4-8 passes on the knife, then the sharpening begins. Thats why the extra buck on the charge to sharpen. The users with serrated always have a duller knife than others and it seems to fit with their idea that serrations stay sharper longer [ which is why they bought the serrated in the first place quite often.]

Brownie
 
Wow, some of you fellas is kind of grumpy! Is it cause he said his toys were better than yours :p

I like serrations, unless I'm the one making the knife. Then they are just absolutely no fun.
I used to carry a combo edge benchmade pinnacle as my EDC,and recently switched to a framelock I made myself thats about the same size but plain edge. Most of the time I don't notice the difference but every once in awhile I really miss the serrations. Was putting in a sprinkler system in the barn to keep the dust down in the arena and the plain edged blade did not like to cut that 3/4" black water pipe at all! Its scary sharp too! (passes free hanging toilet paper test if any of you jokers remember those old threads we had going ;) ) My old benchmade with the serrations will cut the same pipe with one pass :D sometimes you just gotta have bite!
 
One thing:

Not what asked, but I think serrations are best for a self defence knife.

Do anyone disagree about that ?

Andre Tiba
 
Assuming for a moment the verdict is in, and serrations are the way to go for a utility folder. What type of serrations are best, Spyder Edge, reverse serrations, large scallop serrations, patterened serrations, uniform serrations, there's to many choices?

At least with plain edge, you have 3 to choose from, hollow grind, chisel grind, flat grind.

I'm so confused :confused: .
 
Originally posted by almtiba
One thing:

Not what asked, but I think serrations are best for a self defence knife.

Do anyone disagree about that ?

Andre Tiba
Click to expand...

Depends on the size and shape of the blade IMO. But generally, a PE will somtimes do more damage then a SE because most clean wounds from a knife wound don't close up easily (however SE caused wounds won't close up easy, but sometimes do if the flesh is cut correctly).
 
I knew this would be a fun thread!;)

I'm one of those nut jobs that like 50/50 myself.Some of us actually use are knives hard many times a day,and no opening mail,cutting threads and fruit which seems to be the main uses around here don't count,so my knife may need sharpening before the day is done,but my serrations keep me going.

This "not eoungh of either edge", makes me ask for what?? I have used combo edges for dressing deer,opening packages,cutting many ropes,hoses,belts,webbing,yard work,plastic edging,bags,rags,food,fish and fowl.So what is it you can't do with one?My favorite combo edge is my BM 710.This knife has about 2 1/2 inches of plain edge same as my sak,yet nobody says that the sak doesn't have enough plain edge???

Really we all buy what works FOR US. I went to all plain edge,and went back to combos.There was just to many times my plain edge wouldn't cut it,to many times it just went dull when the serrations kept going.Yes I can sharpen thank you.I have also taken new combo edges and went at it in the garage,rope,plastic cardboard,wood,rubber etc.

Take a rope and a new combo edge knife loop the rope over the plain edge and pull,repeat with serrated part,I have yet to find a nib knife where the plain edge cuts as easy as the serrated.

As I write this I have a Plain edge Jim Burke folder and a plain edge Merlin in my pockets:D .But if I leave the house I always make sure I have some serrations and there a must for me on the job.If I ever have to cut myself or some one free or out of something give me serrations for sure.
 
Originally posted by brownie0486

Thats because a serrated blade has about 3 times the cutting surface vs straight blades given the same blade length.
Brownie
Click to expand...

see now that's funny... spyderco has the industry standard for serrations, the 2 step(2 small, 1 large)... and sal says it's only 110% of the same in plain edge.

http://www.spyderco.com/education/s...5+PM&mscssid=U09F55QKDJX18M7VPRQQLP3GPV88DP1D

I'd love to see these serrations that turn a 4" cutting edge into 12" of cutting steel.
 
From what I just read on the link, it looks like it's 10% longer at each serration over the length of the entire blade.

Interesting, maybe Sal can chime in here as well on the subject. Maybe it was that it lasts three times as long before dulling to the same degree, not sure now.

Brownie
 
a serrated edge will last 3-4 times longer before getting "dull"(to one of us, not a normal user). I usually can go 3-4 months before touching the edge on a serrated, and then I give it the full treatment(ceramic steel on each tooth, spydie 204 whites at 30deg(both sides in a 2-2 pattern), and the shoelace strop). I get it to the point of being almost afraid to use it for a week after(slip and loose a finger).

To most folks, a serrated knife is for those who don't like to sharpen, because it will continue to tear and rip for a lot longer than a plain edge will slice.

to those of us in the knife community, who know how to sharpen, a plain edge can be made to preform most tasks that a serrated can do, just as a serrated can do most tasks a plain can do.

but try whittling with a serrated, and cutting webbing with a plain edge(I cut 2" at work all the time, both closed cell like a seatbelt and open cell like tarp straps)... I cut rope with a plain edge all the time too.

The only uses I have during my everyday activities when a serrated outperforms a plain is cutting tarp material(18oz coated fabric) down to size, and peeling fruit. Even webbing can be done easy with a well sharpened plain edge(just like butter... contact and it glides through).

edit: spelling
 
Thats how I find my PE's as well.

Contact and it glides through.

As to the question about serrated for defensive purposes? I have been in a testing with a dozen others during a course where dummies were used in clothing of various sorts.

The PE, properly sharpened gives a deeper cut to the dummies on many clothing materials like sweaters, wool jackets, during slashing attacks.

Then we have the civilian spyder which is made for defense in serrated. No one had one during the testing. The serrateds used were an Endura and Delica, this was 7-8 years ago. The serrations now may be different from those days, again, Sal would know for sure and if a change, if the difference is substantially better.

My military in PE will do substantially better at seperating materials and go deeper than the serrated Endura with the same stroke [ unscientifically performed by freehand, though a slash is a slash at speed and power ].

Blade length difference perhaps, edge and grind differences perhaps, maybe even the weight difference in the blades, though for all intents and purposes, to me, they are lightweight medium length folders and should perform about in the same manner.

On a sweater and a sweatshirt hanging loosely, the serrateds teeth will grab at the material as it passes through. Not so with a PE. It cuts but slows the momentum and consequently the speed with which it is passing through the material.

I still think it is almost a moot point relative which is better. They both produce nasty wounds if you get one on something. The SE will be better at things and the PE wille be better at other things.

I have preferences, have carried serrated for defense in the civilian, police, enduras, etc. but the constants are the PE's that are left razor sharp and with a light coat of clp along the very cutting edge to keep it from oxidizing.

I know the oil is protecting the edge as it has fine lint on it when inspected.

Brownie
 
if you want to see the damage a serrated does on a finger, I've done it.

I was peeling potatoes and had to cut each one into 1/4 or 1/8 depending on size(working in a restaunt). I slipped on one cut, put a bit too much force in it, and put a serrated kitchen knife(well used steak knife) into my left index finger, on the joint(inside of hand as I was holding the potatoe), up to the bone. hurt like a bit&#99h, and took about a week to heal. I'm ambi, so I had the option of just not using my left hand, and tried to keep it dry doing dishes at work).

I also stabbed my thigh at the same job, again missed everything, no stiches(spyderco military, 1/2" tip into my leg... look at the belly on that model at that point on the blade). nice purple scar from back in febuary. Hurt like a bit&#99h to walk for a while. I still finished that shift and was working the next day.

I've cut myself enough with both serrated and plain and can tell you either one takes a while to heal fully. Sharp enough knife and it doesn't matter what edge you have, they'll all do damage.
 
Too old of an argument for me to argue. I will share some info

1. When we test edge retention, Serrations last 2 - 4 times longer.

2. We can cut materrials like kevlar very easily and effectively with serrations. Cutting body armor in half is very sobering.

3. We can dull a plain edge much easier on a hard surface like a plate or metal table. A serrated knife used repeatedly on a cutting board will stay sharper as much as 10 times longer.

4. Not all serrations are created equally. We have found our serrations to be more effective, especially on the exotic steels that we use.

5. It is faster and easier to sharpen a serrated edge on a Sharpmaker, than a plain edge.


sal:)
 
I just got back. Did someone call me (and others) a flaming weenie?
Serrations on a knife are like training wheels on a bicycle. Real men don’t need them! :D
With serrations, the tips protect the valleys. That along with the extra edge length is why serrated blades tend to stay sharp longer. Serrations work OK for some people, but I just don’t like them!
I don’t like serrations, pocket clips, and holes in blades. And yet I love Spyderco knives. Isn’t that strange? :confused:
 
Originally posted by Ookpik
I just got back. Did someone call me (and others) a flaming weenie?
Serrations on a knife are like training wheels on a bicycle. Real men don’t need them! :D
With serrations, the tips protect the valleys. That along with the extra edge length is why serrated blades tend to stay sharp longer. Serrations work OK for some people, but I just don’t like them!
I don’t like serrations, pocket clips, and holes in blades. And yet I love Spyderco knives. Isn’t that strange? :confused:
Click to expand...

Pocket clips may scratch up things, but you defiantly use a pocket clip the odd time. RIGHT?!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top