What's the purpose of Serrations?

blade4sell

blade4sell

Joined
Dec 11, 2012
Messages
2,010
So I started with serrations...one time I had to saw off some nylon 6 material and it works great. Then the further I got into collecting blades, the more I love plain edge. Easy to sharpen...so now, no matter how good of a deal a knife presents itself, if its serrated, I'm out.

Until today...I saw this used but like new BM 707S with serrations. Asking $90...I'm out cause its serrated. Then moments later, seller drop price to $80....shipped. I'm still out...then today he drop price to $70 shipped and will include the nylon pouch.

So at what point, do you say, ok, it's too good of a deal! I'll take it even though it is serrated!

BTW: I did buy it & it's on the way....just trying to convince myself it was a great purchase...LOL.
 
Serrations let you cut tough stuff with a dull knife that would otherwise be very difficult to cut. I have a couple of PS knives, but prefer PE as well.
 
The purpose is in my opinon that they stay sharp for a long time without sharpening, it's better for people that don't know how to sharpen a knife to, and some people just like serrations for day to days stuff even I'll admit that even when there kinda dull the still cut okay.....

When it comes down to it i think its it's personal preference (with the exception of rescue knives)

Just my opinion yours will vary, any way I think it's a good deal even if you don't like it you can just sell/trade it on the exchange!
 
To frustrate you during the resharpening process. I tried them and decided I didn't need them.
 
I was in the same boat as you recently. Saw a partially serrated alias at a price I couldn't pass up even though I never buy partially serrated knives. Benchmade will replace the blade for $25-$35, so I figured I would just send it in for a plain edge. Surprisingly enough, I have found the serrations to be very handy and they haven't gotten in the way yet. (Don't let the bladeforums folks know, I'll never live it down.)
 
Serrated blades have their uses: rough brush, rope, straps, cords, or anything slick like plastic blister packs or zip ties. I'm actually looking into serrating a PE knife.
 
IMHO most PS blades of 3 inch or less do not have enough cutting length of either either edge to be optimally effective.
 
I used serrated Spydercos for decades as my EDC; I open and cut a lot of cardboard boxes.
You can cut and cut and they just keep working.

About a year or two ago I got bored working with the saw type blade
and switched over to plain edge and never looked back.

Plus, the newer steels stay sharp longer, so it makes more sense to use a plain edge knife
day to day now, even if it gets used a lot.
 
Final Option said:
IMHO most PS blades of 3 inch or less do not have enough cutting length of either either edge to be optimally effective.
Click to expand...

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.
 
Simple: To confuse you. If you can't figure it out, look up serrations on Google. BTW, get cut once with a serrated blade, and you'll understand one real strong point of a serrated blade. See: Spyderco Civiian.
 
I prefer plain edged. So much so that every time I looked to buy a knife, I chose the PE version.

I ended up with about 40 plain edged knives, and wondered why I don't have some variety. So I got a Spyderco with full serrations. I still like PE more. But if you have 40 PE's, you should look at a CE/SE for #41.
 
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?
 
The only good serrations are full serrations. Some think like the Spyderedge works great for serrated aimed tasks, like cutting fibrous material. Combo edges give you basically none of each type, leaving you with a severely hampered edge. Stuff like the Ka-bar Big Brother and Spyderco Dyad are good uses of both serrated and straight edges. Otherwise, keep serrations off of my damn knives!

It really kills me to see a knife that I like. I check it out more, and start loving it. I keep looking with my finger hovering over the trigger to pull... What the!? Surprise, serrations! Happen to me at least 100 times already. I think the worst case was somebody asking like $100 for a ZT 301 ( I think, the tiger stripe one). I had the cash in hand when I looked the knife up (I am not super familiar with ZT). I looked up the specific model number because I didn't know what the letter at the end meant... Surprise, serrations!
 
Locutus D'Borg said:
Think of serrations as jimping on the blade edge.
Click to expand...

Yes, they are equal... in that I don't care for either one. :p

In my line of work, they're a hindrance. If I worked on a boat, or in upholstery, or carpeting or electrical (or any number of other trades or hobbies in which they're useful), I'd be all over them.
 
KennyB said:
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?
Click to expand...

Yeah, this is off of Spyderco's site

serrations.gif


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)
 
Re: serration/s.
(I eventually get to the point all the way down at the end) :yawn:

In the next several days I'm going to purchase a Combative Edge SR11 (made by Fox, Italy), I have wanted this knife for quite awhile.
I own a another knife (SALAS large P.E. tanto) made by C.E. and like the N690co steel and DLC coating, as well as I like to support a smaller company.

While I completely understand the uses/pros/cons of the two types of edges/blades.... my preference is drawn to the SR11 w/ partial serrated blade, as the environment I live in (dense urban major Northeast city) that blade would be useful and excel in cutting tied up stuff put out for the trash that I frequently come across just traveling around the streets or on the way home that I want to take.
(You'd be surprised what wealthy N.Y.'ers throw out and the building Supt's tie it up very well)

Of course this particular knife is not designed to be an EDC/bushcrafter/camping knife.... its primary design is as a fighter, piercing tanto point, pistol grip handle shape.
Which is primarily why I'd like to own it, additionally being able to cut cordage/leather/a seat belt if the need arises.

The point:
The thing is.... even though I'm drawn to the 'partially serrated' model... and I like serrated blades, when I now look at the 'plain edge' model I can't make up my mind, like the blond looks as attractive as the brunette.
The fact that the designer (Rob Walker) had '50' plain edge and just '20' serrated SR11's made.... and I can't seem to find one video showing the serrated version, appears to say a plain edge is being preferred in general.

CombativeEdgeSR11Serrated-allblack_zps4c458175.jpg
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top