Serrated or Plain Blade
- Thread starter Mcmillan
- Start date
- Status
Kingcreek
Member
personal preference- I don't like serations.
a combo is almost acceptable but I prefer a plain edge.
If the primary use is on tough fibrous rope then maybe a case could be made for toothy, maybe...
a combo is almost acceptable but I prefer a plain edge.
If the primary use is on tough fibrous rope then maybe a case could be made for toothy, maybe...
The question is what do you expect to use it for and do you know how to sharpen?
Bruz
Member
Was always my opinion that a serated blade was only good for those who did not keep their knives sharp...recently was sent a Benchmade that was advertised as a plain blade but came as a 50/50. It looked cool so I decided to play with it and was surprised on how much better the serated cut some items (branches, thick rope, etc.). Decided a combo is a good thing...
brownie0486
Member
If you are carrying the knife for possible defensive needs and not just as an all around utility tool stay away from serrations.
In dummy testing where they wore clothes, the serrations dragged through the material resulting in shallower slashes and in stabbing they required more effort to penetrate as well.
A good straight edge thats kept razor sharp will give better results against perps most of the time. There are no absolutes, of course.
When I was a pup on blade defense 11 years ago I carried serrated or half serrated with the idea they were better. Real world training has proven different and I have not carried a serrated blade for that long if the blade was relegated as a defensive tool on my person.
If you are cutting boxes, hemp, manilla, nylon ropes the serrations do faster work at the task at hand and will hold an edge longer due to the longer cutting surfaces created bu the serrations along the edge.
Serrated blades cut longer without needing touchup due to their longer cutting surface for the same blade length. Most people who do not know how to sharpen a blade properly and walk around with "dull" knives will opt for a serrated blade as it requires less sharpening and consequently they get by with their cutting chores longer without the knife having to be resharpened.
Brownie
In dummy testing where they wore clothes, the serrations dragged through the material resulting in shallower slashes and in stabbing they required more effort to penetrate as well.
A good straight edge thats kept razor sharp will give better results against perps most of the time. There are no absolutes, of course.
When I was a pup on blade defense 11 years ago I carried serrated or half serrated with the idea they were better. Real world training has proven different and I have not carried a serrated blade for that long if the blade was relegated as a defensive tool on my person.
If you are cutting boxes, hemp, manilla, nylon ropes the serrations do faster work at the task at hand and will hold an edge longer due to the longer cutting surfaces created bu the serrations along the edge.
Serrated blades cut longer without needing touchup due to their longer cutting surface for the same blade length. Most people who do not know how to sharpen a blade properly and walk around with "dull" knives will opt for a serrated blade as it requires less sharpening and consequently they get by with their cutting chores longer without the knife having to be resharpened.
Brownie
Smoke
Member
50/50.
I carry a dedicated work/abuse knife. I also carry one "Emergency Knife". I try not to use it since I tend to be a bit hard on my knives. The emergency knife is reserved for cutting a rope/cinch in the event of a horse wreck. Or for cutting flesh if a defensive situation presents its self. (Horse wrecks are a lot more common for me)
And if I leave my "working" knife at home I will sacrifice the point of my Emergency knife to open a new snuff can. Priorities you know....
I carry a dedicated work/abuse knife. I also carry one "Emergency Knife". I try not to use it since I tend to be a bit hard on my knives. The emergency knife is reserved for cutting a rope/cinch in the event of a horse wreck. Or for cutting flesh if a defensive situation presents its self. (Horse wrecks are a lot more common for me)
And if I leave my "working" knife at home I will sacrifice the point of my Emergency knife to open a new snuff can. Priorities you know....
10-Ring
Member
I prefer the plain straight blade. I get greater utility & I have an easier time sharpening it.
IMO, unless you plan on using the knife in emergency or utility situtations where you need to cut through something very quickly, I would stick with a plane blade. A well sharpened blade with proper handling will cut just as well as a serrated one, it just takes a little longer. Plus, it's easier to sharpen.
Guyon
Member
Plain blade all the way. Life's too short to bother with sharpening serrations.
makdaddy03
member
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2003
- Messages
- 638
Plain.
cratz2
Member
Plain edges for me thanks. I can see the use of serrations for EMTs etc but not for my personal knife.
Well, as many have said, it depends on your intended use.
brownie made some very good points.
I would definitely go with a combination edge.
BM offers most of its blades in combo plain/serrated, and i think its the best option by far.
I think that fully serrated knives have VERY limited applications, so stay away from those, unless you really need one. (Cutting lots of rope, etc.)
Plain blades definitely will get most any job done, but it is very nice to have the small serration to help out in certain tasks.
Most combo edges only have about 1/4 of the blade serrated, so its not that big a deal to sharpen, nor will it get in the way of anything else.
Plus they look better than just plain edges!!!
Combo all the way!
brownie made some very good points.
I would definitely go with a combination edge.
BM offers most of its blades in combo plain/serrated, and i think its the best option by far.
I think that fully serrated knives have VERY limited applications, so stay away from those, unless you really need one. (Cutting lots of rope, etc.)
Plain blades definitely will get most any job done, but it is very nice to have the small serration to help out in certain tasks.
Most combo edges only have about 1/4 of the blade serrated, so its not that big a deal to sharpen, nor will it get in the way of anything else.
Plus they look better than just plain edges!!!
Combo all the way!
sm
member
Plain
- Status
