why serrated???

R

razamataz

Joined
Feb 14, 2006
Messages
34
I just picked up a manix and part of the blade is serrated. Iwas wondering what perpose this serves and is it better/worse than a str8 blade.
 
it's a matter of taste, mostly. Some like the option of having the serrations for cutting fibrous stuff & the like. Others consider it a waste of blade length. I buy combo edges when it looks good on a knife & the blade length is at least 3.5".
 
Serrations can cut through some things better, such as rope or cloth. They can also saw harder materials. The downside is that they do not cut as cleanly as a plain edge, and they cannot really slice.

So a plain edge knife can slice well, but will have trouble with, say, cutting rope.

A fully serrated blade will cut rope well, but will have trouble making clean slices though, for example, paper.

A combo edge offers some of both. But the downside is that you only get half as much of each. For tasks that require a plain edge, you only have around 1.75 inches of blade instead of around 3.5. The first time you try to slice something and have the serrations get in the way you will see why some people prefer a fully plain edge. However, some people also prefer a combo edge as they prefer to sacrifice some slicing for the occasional use of the serrations.

It's a matter of taste. Use your knife a bit and you will start to develop an opinion of which type of edge you like more. Eventually, you will probably have knives in plain edges, others in combo edges, and others that are fully serrated. I know I have several examples of each, and I use them all.

When I buy a knife, I decide whether I want plain, combo, or fully serrated depending on the model, what I want to do with it, how it looks, and depending on my mood at the moment.

Since this is your only knife, I think the combo edge was the right choice, both as a learning experience and to cover as many cutting bases as possible.
 
A lot of people prefer straight edges over combo edges--the serrations near the base of the blade and then travel only so far, making for a somewhat annoying sawing motion. The general idea is "why go partial seration when you can just go full?"
 
Me myself, I just carry one of each. A 4.75 straight edged Harsey Tactical and a small Spyderco Harpy serrated hawkbill. Best of both worlds.

CBXer55
Oklahoma City
 
I like cbxer55's advice... hmm, I'd never thought about that personally, and maybe I'll have to invest. Great strategy.

Cleary
 
I've used serrated edges to cut seat belts and battery cables and the like. While a plain edge may go through the same thing it will more than likely dull the knife to the point where it may only do it once or twice. Unless your going to carry two knives which can be difficult to explain to people, or sheeple if you prefer, a combo edge over 3.5 inches can get both jobs done. Sharpening the serrations takes some practice as well as a sharpener capable of getting the job done.

Brian
 
The legendary SHARPMAKER is probably the most efficient tool for sharpening serrations.

I like Spyderco's 701MF, myself.
 
Serrated edges cut through jackets better. That's the primary reason for having a serrated edge on a tactical knife. A more practical use is for cutting cardboard. A combo blade tries to be the best of both worlds.
 
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