What are serrations good for?

Most people regardless of branch will carry their own knives, maybe have an issued bayonet and issued or purchased multi-tool. I don't know for sure but I don't think there were many serrated knives back in the Ka-bar development days for them to even think about having any serrations on one.
 
RevDevil said:
To begin with, most people here do not carry knives with the intent of using them as weapons and we don't view other people as "opponents". The minority that does might have years of training, and a solid understanding of both the knife and the consequences that the action might bring.
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Quite right and nor do I. However, that's besides the point. The question is why particularly tactical combat knives are quite often half-serrated. The first purpose of these knives is not cutting bread or carpet. That's why I wonder why half-serrations a so popular particularly on this type of knife.
 
Since a serrated blade has a greater surface area to volume ratio than a non-serrated knife, it will cool at a slightly faster rate.
This could be useful in a 'knife-cooling-off-race' with your friends.


Serrations are just one of those things that are purely preferential. Some serrated knives may cut certain materials better than their non-serrated counterparts but that is often subjective. My wife thinks my Wüsthoff bread knife carves turkey better than my chef knife (I don't think it does). Experiment with lots of different knives and form your own opinion. The worst that could happen is ending up with a lot of knives (no so bad, right?).

Mmmm... Turkey.
 
Hard to say why, I imagine that there is a segment of knife users that prefer a combination of edge type. Naturally knife manufacturers want to appeal to as wide a demographic as possible to increase the bottom line. Most people that I am familiar with whom are not knife enthusiasts, and have a single knife it is more often than not a combination edge.
 
I would assume utility value of a knife, you can use the front of the edge to whittle or chop stuff, and the serrated part being a starting point for things like rope or wire or zip ties and whatnot

I personally hate the combo edge, I would go fully serrated or plain

I dont think most military people go at it with a knife anymore, so I assume the utility value of their knife is even after its dull, you can saw at rope and stuff with the serrated part
 
@ OrdnanceBubbaUSMC: I understand. So what are the popular knifes for soldiers bringing their own knives? Is it the the type of knives oftern termed "seal" (SOG) of "military" or "having been designed for" (without any statement about whether they are actually used) a very special ops team or having been designed by the often decoratex Ltd. X? Or is it something different? What are the most popular types of knives with current soldiers?
 
Easiest way to see is next time you have a thing or two you buy that comes in clamshell packaging, cut it open without using the tip at all. Points initiate cuts and it takes less time and effort unless you are cutting something that is easy to cut to begin with. It doesn't really matter as far as combat because you are just shanking someone until they are no longer a threat - same way you take people out with bullets or ice-picks. A slashing and fencing duel with any weapon is homo movie crap.
 
I have two Marine friends, one carries a Leatherman and the other a Victorinox. Neither know what their buddies had for knives, if any (I've asked).
 
I've yet to understand why a person that prefers one blade/edge type feels compelled to convince others of the nobility of their choice and the error of everyone else's choice.... If a knife works for you, great, be happy.
 
When I was in there were lots of Ka-bars, SOG Seal, a bunch of CRKT, Spyderco, Cold Steel folders, Benchmade Autos, and a few of just about everything except the very expensive knives marketed as military and combat knives....people in other branches and other countries military forces were often at the same bases and camps and were the same way.
 
serration blade.....

- make sure its a good quality knife...if not.....the serration is not good at all.
- I have a seal pup sog.... VERY VERY GOOD knife...even its not my NO 1 or 2 or 3 knife.
- u will be surprise how smooth the knife when cutting small tree branch.....its like a small saw to me.
- previous day i always abuse my seal pup.....coz its not my NO1 knife :)
- its easier to cut something harder with the serration blade.
 
evert67 said:
So what are serrations good for, other than looking mean?
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What are serrated edges good for?

Emergency wire severing, fiber banding, rope and straps, crusty bread. Serrations cut better when dull than plain edges, and the insides of the scallops are protected from the worst forms of abuse, so they remain sharper longer than similarly abused plain edges. Cutting dirt-permeated rope will dull any knife rapidly, but the SE will keep cutting it after the PE won't.
 
Combo edges are for mall ninjas and pirates. :emot-yarr: They are good for thread topics were people can give opinions about them. :p

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Someone mentioned rope, wires, and zip-ties, which covers about 80% of my cutting. The other 20% is cutting open packages, usually containing knives with serrations. :D
 
A serrated edge will cut through zip ties with alacrity and are designed for separating matter.
 
anything and everything you can think of

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they eat through bone without even trying

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they even make for great poser shots. the light loves to bounce off all the diffrent angles. it's like a disco if you do it right

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needless to say, i love the PS. they just make life that much better
 
Not a fan of partially serrated blades. Tried them. I have a Spydie Endura that is fully serrated, but it is not a knife I would EDC. I have the plain edge (PE) Endura too, but have developed a preferene for the PE Delica.

The current SAK German army One Handed Trekker model has a serrated blade. It certainly is not as aggressive as the Spydie, but still serrated. It is not a fighting knife. The serrations are good for cutting rope, fabrics, plastics, or otherwise synthetic materials.

Selecting a partially serrated blade is about choice and preference. It also is based on your knife use experience.
 
This thread has faded away now but I thought this would be a nice watch for the OP - it's a decent comparison of combo edge, serrated, and plain edge versions of the Tenacious. It won't tell you everything but it's a good start and you can see how nice they slice and push cut. You can see a little of what I mention earlier that plain edge's main advantage is wood working and skinning.

http://youtu.be/2m66YWAGzeg

p.s. keep watching even if you don't understand Russian, the content is good. His Tenacious vs RAT 1 comparison video is worth watching also.
 
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