Why are serrations always sharpened only on one side of the blade?

[SnowCrash]

I've been wanting to like serrations, but whenever I see them I want to steer clear of the knife simply because I feel like I'm getting half of what I want to pay for. If you look at the Civilian for example, The entire blade's serrations are only cutting on one side of the blade (left if you hold it in a standard grip). Why are serrations never sharpened on both sides of the blade?

[The Deacon]

I've been wanting to like serrations, but whenever I see them I want to steer clear of the knife simply because I feel like I'm getting half of what I want to pay for. If you look at the Civilian for example, The entire blade's serrations are only cutting on one side of the blade (left if you hold it in a standard grip). Why are serrations never sharpened on both sides of the blade?

Probably because lining up the blade perfectly to grind the serrations on other side would be very difficult.

[SnowCrash]

oh yeah..and sharpening....good point! didn't see that coming

[TexSierra]

The serrations are also sharper than their plain edge brotheren because they are cut on only one side. Its like \| as opposed to \/

[SnowCrash]

The serrations are also sharper than their plain edge brotheren because they are cut on only one side. Its like \| as opposed to \/

for some reason I always thought that having a \/ angle would be sharper than \| but now that i think about it a more acute angle means more sharpness. I suppose its because i got a 1 dollar knife at walmart and it only had one side sharpened, just like serrations, and it was dull as ****. Only now do I realize that is a more sharp edge but with a terrible metal.

[Evil D]

I'm pretty sure if you sharpened/ground both sides to a V, the serrations would be much deeper as well...which might make it a little too "toothy" to cut with.

[Jay_Ev]

I always thought it was because if you were to take an equal amount of metal away on both sides as opposed to just one side, the scallops would be that much thinner and thus easier & more prone to chipping.
I always over-think things :o

[Bill1170]

Probably because lining up the blade perfectly to grind the serrations on other side would be very difficult.

It has to be this. The included angle could be maintained with double-sided serrations by grinding both sides at half the angle, but registration would need to be perfect, and manufacturing perfection is expensive to attain.

[Sonucool]

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[chiknives23]

great topic i have wondered this myself but great info from these guys

[tkdiver1]

If you have ever looked at the serrations that you can get on a Sebenza, they are done on both side instead of just one.

[Nifty_Nives]

Also, you try cutting straight with a V, it just isn't going to happen with serrations. When you add in that extra flat edge, it allows the serrations to cut straight, rather than at random angles. In addition, the \| is much sharper than a V as far as serrations are concerned. Plus, YOU try sharpening a double serration.

[The Deacon]

Spyderco serrations are not really chisel ground, the blade itself is ground V shaped, only the primary grind on the one side is missing.

[Frank Castle]

Yeah, with a hollo grind you get that curve along with the non-sharpened side, so it's kinda like this?=> )/ makes a really sharp edge.

[jackknifeh]

I took a partially serrated knife which had the serrations only ground on the left side. I ground grooves in the other side. All the problems mentioned in this thread jumped out at me and I had a knife I hated. :mad: I then ground the serrations all the way down and now have a blade with a reverse curve. Come to find out that is a very useful shape and I like that knife again. :)

As far as sharpening serrated knives: I've had the same problems everyone else has had and the best way to sharpen a serrated blade is this IMO. Sharpen the flat side with your stones only. Make sure your stone is touching the entire groove all the way to the bottom. Keep the angle as low as possible. That leaves only removing the burr from the other side (inside the individual serrations). This works so well it is hard to believe. The only problem is when the spine is thick enough that it's hard to get a low enough angle on the back side of the serrations so the stone is touching the entire serrate (is that singular for serrations?).

Jack

[Blerv]

Yea it comes down to how it's manufactured.

It may not be the prettiest (or at least symmetrical) way to make teeth but that's not what matters. Spyderco gets the pattern and edge geometry right every time. While some have sharper or more rounded peaks/valleys the design itself is very similar blade to blade.

They could make similar sized obtuse serrations which would appear to be better, however they would cut like crap. You would end up with something like a cheap steak knife rather than something that can actually shave paper or saw a shoe in half in seconds.

Function over form. The name of Spyderco's game.