Partially serrated vs. straight edge

einsteinjon

einsteinjon

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Hi guys,

Few week lurker, first time poster here, so forgive me if this topic has been covered somewhere else.

I have been looking at pics and pics of everyone's knives, particularly modern folders, and have noticed that a far majority of them have straight edge blades. I have always carried around either a partially serrated/straight combo edge, or a dual blade knife having one of each blade (e.g. Leatherman Wave) because the serrations make for much easier cutting of certain materials. Is there any sort of reasoning for straight edge only blades to be so prevalent/preferred, other than availability on the market? Just looking to get opinions as to why you guys carry what you carry. If it's as simple as not having a need for serrations, so be it.

I have mostly carried around "cheaper," less expensive knives and am looking into getting something higher-end. Benchmades have really caught my eye, so if anyone has an opinion on these specifically as far as straight vs. combo edge feel free to throw in some comments about that.

Thanks and it's good to be here!
 
A majority of people prefer Plain edge knives, I do myself, but it also depends on which model of knife and what I plan on doing with it.

For the most part Plain edge knives are easier to sharpen and seem more useful overall. A lot knives that I've had in the past with serrations would snag on things when I tried to cut or use the straight edge portion of the knife.
 
Got my first serrated blade on a Leatherman Supertool some years back. When it came to pulling cuts, it was awesome. I adored it. Used it a lot.

Then it got dull. And I tried to sharpen it. And I swore, Never Again.

Now, yes, you can take a ceramic file and a couple decades of your life to properly resharpen a serrated edge. Or you can buy a plain edge, sharpen it in a couple minutes, and then, I don't know, meet some girls, have some kids, fly to the moon, cure cancer or something.

Don't get me started on combo blades. They're the worst of both worlds.
 
The problem of serrated blades are they're hard to sharp, that's why most people like plain edges, at least I do.
 
To be honest most of the time I use my knives to open boxes and what not and those serrations just get filled with tape ect. I prefer a plain edge I feel like I have more blade to work with.
 
The only serrated edge I would buy are the newer style of Kershaw/ZT serrations--touch right up on the sharpmaker and don't snap off like the pointy style ones.

Plain coated edge for me.
 
I'm another plain blade kinda guy, for the same reasons as above. If you're looking at a Benchmade, the Griptillian or the mini. Grip. are a sure bet. Get one and you'll never be sorry. In fact, you'll wonder how you ever managed without one.
 
If you know how to sharpen your knife, and keep it sharp, serrations have little value.
 
Serrations are all well and good when you want to cut fibrous materials like rope and fabrics but for many tasks plain edge will do as good a job or better. And because serrations are harder to sharpen (but still fairly easy with a Sharpmaker) many of us relegate serrated knives to special uses only.
 
I have a host of knives of each edge type---but do not have any knives with a combination edge.

I feel that they're especially difficult to cut with, and each particular sort of edge doesn't offer any real advantage because they're limited to half the size of a convential, 100%-length edge of SE or PE. The shortened serrated section doesn't lend that much cutting power to thick fibrous materials; the plain edge doesn't have as much room to allow for a traditional cut, pull cut, etc. The combination limits the cutting potential for each edge. Essentially, it's just much easier to carry a sharp, quality knife of each and have nearly limitless cutting potential rather than the limited sort that CE gives you.
 
Serrated knives make great work knives and beaters.

Also, contrary to what people will tell you, they massively out cut plain edge knives in efficiency and longevity. Of course, I'm talking about Spyderco serrations, which are just as easy as a plain edge to sharpen if you have a Sharpmaker. Not all serrations are created equal.

People think they are ugly, so they make up stuff about them not performing because they don't want to accept that the ugly version of the knife will cut down boxes with ease all day for three days without being sharpened, while the same knife in plain edge will dull and start dragging in the first hour. Most people don't know that because they carry their knife around all day and cut like five little things with it, tops. I bought a serrated and a plain edge Delica, both in VG-10, and put them to real work, toe to toe. The performance difference is staggering.
 
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J85909266 said:
Serrated knives make great work knives and beaters.

Also, contrary to what people will tell you, they massively out cut plain edge knives in efficiency and longevity. Of course, I'm talking about Spyderco serrations, which are just as easy as a plain edge to sharpen if you have a Sharpmaker. Not all serrations are created equal.

People think they are ugly, so they make up stuff about them not performing because they don't want to accept that the ugly version of the knife will cut down boxes with ease all day for three days without being sharpened, while the same knife in plain edge will dull and start dragging in the first hour. Most people don't know that because they carry their knife around all day and cut like five little things with it, tops. I bought a serrated and a plain edge Delica, both in VG-10, and put them to real work, toe to toe. The performance difference is staggering.
Click to expand...

Of course you are right. Serrations actually can have double or more the cutting edge length of a comparable length knife with a plain edge. So in essence you get cutting power of a longer knife for every cut, and dulling will take longer since each cut and the wear it causes is divided over a longer edge length.

That all said, I never use serrated knives even though I have made a few I just don't care for them, partially or otherwise.

Also you can somewhat duplicate a partial serrated knife by leaving some portion of your plain edge knife more roughly finished (400-600grit) when you resharpen it.
 
I like a plain edge or a serrated edge, with my preference a plain edge for general carry.
 
Thanks for all the opinions guys. So I think I've come to the conclusion to carry one of each, or a 2-bladed knife with one of each blade style in it. I do have use for serrations as I find myself cutting a lot of robe and cardboard (which like J85909266 can be done more effectively with serrations I've found). I've gotten annoyed with combo edges for pretty much the common reason above - the length of each edge type is split in half.

I have been looking at the BM Griptilian 550HG and will likely buy one in straight edge. From what I can tell they are one-handed opening, but I am unfamiliar with the Axis lock. Are they one handed closing as well?

Also, does anyone have any suggestions on either a fully serrated knife that is "easy" (relatively speaking) to sharpen, or a dual bladed knife with both one each of a straight and serrated blade? I've had a double-bladed Schrade Avatar with one straight blade and one serrated blade. I don't use it much anymore as the edge likes to chip under pretty light conditions and doesn't seem to like to be sharpened. One-handed open/close is a must please!

Thanks again guys!!!
 
Also, if anyone knows anything about the Buck Redpoint (I know combo edge, but I'd use it as a cheap beater), I'd love to hear it.

Thanks!
 
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I prefer the plain edge because to me, I can do just as much with that as I can with a serrated edge, and more. The serrations get in the way on combo knives. They almost always snag when I try to cut things with the plain part of the blade.
 
I guess you've already reached your conclusion, but...

As a survival-minded person, a lot of what I use my knife for is wood carving or similar tasks...For these tasks, a serrated edge just doesn't "cut it."
 
einsteinjon said:
Thanks for all the opinions guys. So I think I've come to the conclusion to carry one of each, or a 2-bladed knife with one of each blade style in it. I do have use for serrations as I find myself cutting a lot of robe and cardboard (which like J85909266 can be done more effectively with serrations I've found).

I have been looking at the BM Griptilian 550HG and will likely buy one in straight edge. From what I can tell they are one-handed opening, but I am unfamiliar with the Axis lock. Are they one handed closing as well?

Also, does anyone have any suggestions on either a fully serrated knife that is "easy" (relatively speaking) to sharpen, or a dual bladed knife with both one each of a straight and serrated blade?
Click to expand...

For years, I carried a plain edge and a serrated edge. I liked (and still do) the Spyderco serrations.

These days, I don't really need a serrated edge so I generally carry only a plain edge.

*****

Yes, you can close the Benchmade Griptilian one handed. Just slide the Axis lock to the "open" position - there will be no tension on the blade whatsoever - and simply flip the blade closed. Then release the Axis lock.

*****

I don't know of any serrations that are "easy" to sharpen.

However, on the good side, serrated blades cut for a good long time before they need any edge treatment. Also, generally, you can use a steel on the back of the blade to raise and straighten the serrations for a while longer.

*****

Finally, though they may be available, I personally don't know of any quality knives that have both a serrated blade and a plain edge blade.
 
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