What's the purpose of Serrations?

[Insipid Moniker]

In generally prefer PE blades, but a good fully serrated edge is quite handy. I find the vast majority of combo edges to be examples of a tool trying to do too many things and ending up doing all of them somewhat poorly.

 

[aquaman67]

I'm probably the only one here who actually likes and uses combo edges. I cut a lot of hard PVC tubing, rope, branches, ect. I find a combo edge gives me the best of both. And I like the position of the serrations at the back of the blade.

Here's a little test. Try to cut a plastic clothes hanger in two with a plain edge knife.

When you get your serrated knife, try it again and tell us which did a better job.

 

[Final Option]

I'm probably the only one here who actually likes and uses combo edges. I cut a lot of hard PVC tubing, rope, branches, ect. I find a combo edge gives me the best of both. And I like the position of the serrations at the back of the blade.

Here's a little test. Try to cut a plastic clothes hanger in two with a plain edge knife.

When you get your serrated knife, try it again and tell us which did a better job.

Agreed, serrated knife cutting this medium is the way to go, however I would prefer totally serrated for more cutting surface. The PE would be a hinderance, however for fine cutting ie; meat, skinning,light paper, bushcraft I would prefer taking advantage of the full length that PE offers. Boils down to different tools for different tasks.

 

[Squashfan]

Boils down to different tools for different tasks.

Bingo. I have found that against cardboard sharp serrations = sharp plain edge most of the time.

 

[RevDevil]

Good thread...

One thing I heard a long time ago about serrations but I'm not sure where, is that they basically increase the amount of blade length you have for the same distance versus a plain edge because the edge rises into that arc, and that the points keep this cutting edge out of contact with hard surfaces and thus keep it sharper longer.

Any validity to this?

Not increase in blade length, it's an increase in cutting edge. You can see by looking at the diagram provided. I love fully serrated edges. I carried a SE Para for over a year and it was the primary knife I used during that time. Prior to that it was a fully SE Endura 3.

 

[Dr Heelhook]

Agreed. I also am of the school of belief that most PS blade have serrations on the wrong end. They should be near the tip, imho. A few knives have corrected this (one of the Boker/CLB's for example). I just wish more would follow suit. I'm primarily interested in PE blades, but a PS with serrated point end could be handy from time to time.

Does that mean you like cutting rope with the point end of the blade?

 

[VolundoftheForge]

For me, partially serrated is more useful in a "combat" knife than an EDC. Having spoken to a few guys of the SF variety, most of them like serrations somewhere on their blade in case their primary edge dulls during stake-outs and prolonged operations.

 

[russianpolander]

I don't mind the serrations on some knives but at times when I could not find a model without, I just bought one serrated and reshaped it into a straight edge.

 

[parbajtor]

Agreed. I also am of the school of belief that most PS blade have serrations on the wrong end. They should be near the tip, imho. A few knives have corrected this (one of the Boker/CLB's for example). I just wish more would follow suit. I'm primarily interested in PE blades, but a PS with serrated point end could be handy from time to time.

+1
Serrations are good for cutting carpet. Also the Spyderco Salt range seemed to cut better when serrated rather than PE. But since i started sharpening my PE Salt II with just the coarse DMT, those micro serrations help the edge last a heck of a lot longer.

 

[parbajtor]

Does that mean you like cutting rope with the point end of the blade?

At the "powercut" end of the blade (closest to the bolster) it doesn't seem to much matter what the edge is, as you use more of the cutting edge and the rope moves more towards the tip, then the serrations come into play. In fact the PE at the bolster end is better as serrations tend to catch quickly stopping you using the most effective part of the blade, midpoint betwen bolster and tip.

 

[JDunn709]

I prefer PE for most uses but I keep one SE blade around for when I need one. My SE Military has a small section without serrations at the tip which can be used if serrations are not needed (eg: opening a package)

 

[rwasham]

It has to be a deep discount for me to go partial serration. I either want full SE or a PE. I usually prefer PE, but I have a couple SE just for variety.

 

[MatthewSB]

I'm probably the only one here who actually likes and uses combo edges. I cut a lot of hard PVC tubing, rope, branches, ect. I find a combo edge gives me the best of both. And I like the position of the serrations at the back of the blade.

I also love combo edges for general or emergency use knives.

The only time I don't like serrations is for camping or bushcraft knives.

 

[Forester33]

I think it's mostly marketing, the prevalence of combo edge knives. People think they look "mean ". Hate them myself. So much so that all my kitchen knives are shaving sharp, except the serrated edge bread knife

For work purposes, I have a little corona folding pruning saw. Works great for most purposes requiring serrations.

 

[powernoodle]

I love fully serrated edges.

Finally, a voice of sanity emerges from the darkness.

A good serrated edge will do virtually everything a plain edge will do, and some things it will do quite a bit better. Its true that it will leave a jagged edge when you open an envelope or whatever, and I'm cool with people not liking it. But a serrated edge will sharpen a pencil or peel an apple, or any of the normal EDC things we do, but it will also go through fiberous plant material and burlap and manly stuff with ease.

I've bought thrashed and trashed user SE Spydercos off of eBay just for giggles, and even when the serrations are half gone the knife will still cut.

So I want to issue a friendly challenge to some of you to try one for a few days. You might like it more than you expect.

I paid $10 for this G-2 Endura, because the FRN clip was broken off, it had some blade play and the serrations were worn. And it still cut well enough. But I added a metal clip from Spyderco for about $8, and after hitting the serrations with a rat tail file I have a decent EDC knife. Spyderco will sharpen it for free (I pay $5 return shipping), so I may do that.

 

[XiaolongJackson]

Yeah, this is off of Spyderco's site

I was like the OP where I hated serrations, but one day I bought one. It's been a fun experiment since. (Endura 4 full serrated)

INFINITE NUMBER OF CUTTING ANGLES

Agreed. I also am of the school of belief that most PS blade have serrations on the wrong end. They should be near the tip, imho. A few knives have corrected this (one of the Boker/CLB's for example). I just wish more would follow suit. I'm primarily interested in PE blades, but a PS with serrated point end could be handy from time to time.

Indeed. The part of the blade towards the handle is more often used for precision work, and with a sub-4" partially serrated blade, all you really can do is precision work. Also, I believe Victorinox makes blades like that.

 

[goodeyesniper]

I'm a pe guy all the way, but the seasons definitely have their uses.

Try trimming some thin, but very hard branches with both and you'll see why. The saw effect from the serrations comes in handy. That said, I'd go for a fully serrated spydie.

 

[blame it on god]

If I were an EMT, policeman or any type of emergency response person I would carry a fully serrated knife. Go to a u-pick junkyard and try to cut a seat belt with a polished plain edge knife and see how hard it is.

Then take a good fully serrated knife and cut the other side. The difference is night and day! I stay far away from p/s knives though. Another reason I carry a Leatherman super tool 300 and a good p/e folder. Use the right tool for the right job.

 

[blame it on god]

double post, my bad.

 

[G. Scott H.]

Does that mean you like cutting rope with the point end of the blade?

No, but I follow parbajtor's view on the matter. Also, for cutting stuff on a flat surface, whether a steak or a piece of tough, fibrous material (like the carpet he mentioned), the half from the tip back is going to be used, and that's where the serrations at the tip again come into play. That also leaves you with the PE half of the blade closest to the hilt for doing things that are typically done in that location like sharpening a pencil (or making fuzz sticks, or similar use). I'm sure there are those who like the more conventional serrated back half and PE tip half, but just imho tip serrations are more desirable. :thumbup: