Oh, we all know that the majority of "us" like PE spydercos and knives. but is their anyone out there that just has to have a serrated knife? is there anyone who would pick a serrated spyderco over a plain edge anyday?
just curious
Hydraulicman
who likes serrations?
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hydraulicman
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- Location: Any town USA USA
I prefer serrations for most of my cutting needs. The only preference for a plain edge is for opening envelopes.
Who better to reference when it comes to discuss serrations than Mr. Sal Glesser. Listed below is a copy of an article I saved about modern serrations.
Sal - "Our interest in serrations developed during the 1970's when we learned that a serrated edge cuts more effectively. Investigation at that time revealed that they cut more effectively for a variety of reasons.
1. You have more linear inches of cutting surface.
2. You have single point penetration at the tip of each serration. The concentration of force at the tip provides much better penetration than just sliding a sharp plain edge across almost any type of material.
3. The center of effort rotates around the serration as you are cutting with it. This permits a more efficient separation of the material being cut.
In experimenting, we also learned that the shape of the serration , size of serration, and angle of the grind within the serration has significant effects.
We have also found a few things that serrations don't do nearly as well as plain edges. That would include carving, whittling, some skinning applications, the cutting of certain foods, and scraping.
Some of the advantages of the serrated edges would be on a cutting board for example. The tip of the tooth is the only part that hits the cutting board. The recessed edge is hitting only the softer food and is likely to stay sharper 5 - 10 times longer than the same knife in a plain edge used on the same cutting board.
We also found that if you have a very good steel (by good I mean hard and tough), the serrated edge can be used to cut materials that are much more difficult. For example, a number of our customers have actually used the serrated edge to saw through steel cable. The serration allowed the actual cutting of the cable through the stepping of the serration. That would not have been possible with a plain edged knife. Naturally the steel in the blade has to be extraordinary and considerably harder than the cable that was cut. In each case, it did ruin the knife but it does give an example for the potential of a serration. We also found that a serration can be used to make a very poor quality steel appear to be much more effective.
Some people refer to serration as a saw tooth. This is not entirely true. A saw tooth does not have a sharp edge between the edge, you have a sharpened edge between the tip of the teeth so that constant cutting occurs.
The combination edge seems to be very popular with many customers. The attitude is that it has the best of both worlds. I'm still not sure if that would work for me as I personally prefer more teeth and less plain edge. I like only enough edge to do that scraping or fine cutting that would be necessary, but this is a matter of preference."
<img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> Collector #47
Who better to reference when it comes to discuss serrations than Mr. Sal Glesser. Listed below is a copy of an article I saved about modern serrations.
Sal - "Our interest in serrations developed during the 1970's when we learned that a serrated edge cuts more effectively. Investigation at that time revealed that they cut more effectively for a variety of reasons.
1. You have more linear inches of cutting surface.
2. You have single point penetration at the tip of each serration. The concentration of force at the tip provides much better penetration than just sliding a sharp plain edge across almost any type of material.
3. The center of effort rotates around the serration as you are cutting with it. This permits a more efficient separation of the material being cut.
In experimenting, we also learned that the shape of the serration , size of serration, and angle of the grind within the serration has significant effects.
We have also found a few things that serrations don't do nearly as well as plain edges. That would include carving, whittling, some skinning applications, the cutting of certain foods, and scraping.
Some of the advantages of the serrated edges would be on a cutting board for example. The tip of the tooth is the only part that hits the cutting board. The recessed edge is hitting only the softer food and is likely to stay sharper 5 - 10 times longer than the same knife in a plain edge used on the same cutting board.
We also found that if you have a very good steel (by good I mean hard and tough), the serrated edge can be used to cut materials that are much more difficult. For example, a number of our customers have actually used the serrated edge to saw through steel cable. The serration allowed the actual cutting of the cable through the stepping of the serration. That would not have been possible with a plain edged knife. Naturally the steel in the blade has to be extraordinary and considerably harder than the cable that was cut. In each case, it did ruin the knife but it does give an example for the potential of a serration. We also found that a serration can be used to make a very poor quality steel appear to be much more effective.
Some people refer to serration as a saw tooth. This is not entirely true. A saw tooth does not have a sharp edge between the edge, you have a sharpened edge between the tip of the teeth so that constant cutting occurs.
The combination edge seems to be very popular with many customers. The attitude is that it has the best of both worlds. I'm still not sure if that would work for me as I personally prefer more teeth and less plain edge. I like only enough edge to do that scraping or fine cutting that would be necessary, but this is a matter of preference."
<img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> Collector #47
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fredswartz
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I didn't like serrations for the longest time although I now have several SE Spydercos and one CE Benchmade 710. What really convinced me of their value was a trip into the woods and traveling through multiflora rose, greenbriers etc. My Standard PE cut thru this stuff far better than a PE. As for opening envelopes, a sharp Spyderco SE does the job. I guess that for whittling or woodcarving the PE might do a better job but I don't do that stuff anymore.
Whilst there are definate advatages to serrations in certain situations, the plain edge is definately a jack of all trades, whereas serrations can have difficulties with some materials.
As I never know what I'm going to cut on any given day I always carry a PE as I know it will cope.
I do sometimes carry a SE if I know it will be useful, but never without also carrying a PE as back up.
Walk softly, carry a big stick.
As I never know what I'm going to cut on any given day I always carry a PE as I know it will cope.
I do sometimes carry a SE if I know it will be useful, but never without also carrying a PE as back up.
Walk softly, carry a big stick.
I agree both edge types have their advantages but in order for serrations to retain their advantage over plain edges in specific cutting jobs the serrations must remain razor sharp or they are just not as efficient and loose this advantage.
A serrated edge once badly damaged can really never be brought back to its original form and keenness while a plain edge can become damaged and easily brought back, an example is the easily broken off peaks or tips on a serrated edge.
In my experience a serrated edge has its uses if used properly with care not to damage the edge.
I believe a plain edge knife will be a longer lasting tool if used hard.
A serrated edge once badly damaged can really never be brought back to its original form and keenness while a plain edge can become damaged and easily brought back, an example is the easily broken off peaks or tips on a serrated edge.
In my experience a serrated edge has its uses if used properly with care not to damage the edge.
I believe a plain edge knife will be a longer lasting tool if used hard.
I only want serrations on my Spydies! If a blade doesn't at LEAST come in combo edge, I don't have a use for it.
I used to carry a PE for routine cutting, but found many materials that the edge would skim-off on without digging-in as needed. I agree that the edge should remain SHARP to be really useful, and would expand that statement to apply to any knife (except for buttering my toast).
"I am what I am, and that's all that I am"....Popeye
Edited by - Hawkbill on 4/28/2003 7:57:21 PM
I used to carry a PE for routine cutting, but found many materials that the edge would skim-off on without digging-in as needed. I agree that the edge should remain SHARP to be really useful, and would expand that statement to apply to any knife (except for buttering my toast).
"I am what I am, and that's all that I am"....Popeye
Edited by - Hawkbill on 4/28/2003 7:57:21 PM
Yup. I like the serrations, specially <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> serrations. Been using the G10 Rookie SE for a long time now and it never fails to draw attention or cut rope made of cocoanut fibre (jute).
HAve a great day.
A door half open is a door half closed. But a knife half open is a knife fully closed.
HAve a great day.
A door half open is a door half closed. But a knife half open is a knife fully closed.
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dialex
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Both PE, SE and CE have their advantages. Speaking for myself, I also preffer SE (I EDC a Delica SE as we speek). The problem is with sharpening those serrations. Gotta get myself a 204.
<a href="http://users.pcnet.ro/dialex"><font color=blue>(my page)</font></a>
<a href="http://users.pcnet.ro/dialex"><font color=blue>(my page)</font></a>
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SpyderNut
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The more "teeth," the merrier.<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> Seriously, I normally prefer my Spydies to have at least a 50/50 edge. (Ok, so I do have a few totally PE'd Spydies too.)<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
Why settle for plain edge when you can have the rip-snortin' action of the serrations? Ah...let there be teeth!
Michael
Why settle for plain edge when you can have the rip-snortin' action of the serrations? Ah...let there be teeth!
Michael
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glockman99
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I like (full) serrations on my "defensive/offensive" folder (Police model), but I like a plain edge on my "utility" folder (Delica).
Dann Fassnacht Aberdeen, WA glockman99@hotmail.com ICQ: 53675663
Dann Fassnacht Aberdeen, WA glockman99@hotmail.com ICQ: 53675663
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deputy tom
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- Location: pgh.pa. USA
One praise I do have for the serrated edge.
A couple years ago I sold a friend a SS full serrated Rookie in ATS-55 steel, being a hunter this friend took the knife black bear hunting as he always had the knife clipped in his right front pocket.
He proceded to get a bear with a very long shot and it was a hard and long climb to reach the downed animal.
Wanting a nice rug he began to cape the animal which also requires sawing through the nuckle joints to retain the claws for the rug.
He had forgotten his compact saw and was not going to make the trip back to the truck to get it so he used the Rookie to do the saw work.
The serrated knife got the job done in style and although the edge was damaged beyond repair he felt it was well worth the replacement cost.
A couple years ago I sold a friend a SS full serrated Rookie in ATS-55 steel, being a hunter this friend took the knife black bear hunting as he always had the knife clipped in his right front pocket.
He proceded to get a bear with a very long shot and it was a hard and long climb to reach the downed animal.
Wanting a nice rug he began to cape the animal which also requires sawing through the nuckle joints to retain the claws for the rug.
He had forgotten his compact saw and was not going to make the trip back to the truck to get it so he used the Rookie to do the saw work.
The serrated knife got the job done in style and although the edge was damaged beyond repair he felt it was well worth the replacement cost.