Blade serrations

[DOUGLI]

I've heard more than once that serrated knives cut more controllably for right-handers when the serrations are cut into the right side of the blade (like the old EDI's). All of the serrated Spyderco's that I've seen are cut into the left side, which would make them just right for lefties, according to this theory. Why does Spyderco cut the serrations into this particular side of the blade, and not the other?

[sal]

Hi Dougli, Welcome to the Spyderco forum.

When we first began testing serrations in the early 80's, we learned that serrated blades will travel in the direction opposite the serration grind.

When we first made them, we put them on the right (back side) but customers became concerned when the blade travelled towards the hand holding whatever it was that was being cut. Since we switched to the left side, this has not been a problem.

The early Clipits also had the serration switched over to the right side for left hand models for the same reason.

sal

[Carlos]

Hi Sal,

I remember once that you said that you might make the move to double-ground serrations in the future. What advantages would this provide over chisel-ground serrations?

[sal]

Hi Carlos. They cut straight. They are also difficult and very expensive to do.

At this time, serrations have gotten such a bad name from many companies producing serrations that are less effective than ours, that I'm less inclined to do that now.

sal

[Scorpius711]

Sal, I was curious if you could explain why in a technical sense, some of the other serrations are not effective at cutting?

Also are there any other serration patterns that you do consider effective, as an example
Kit Carson's?

BTW Spydie serrations ROCK!

Edited by - Scorpius711 on 6/22/2001 9:11:47 PM

[sal]

Hi Scorpius. The angle of the grind is critical. actually making them sharp makes a big difference. the size and shape of the arc also affects cutting.

There are many "opinions" on what makes a "better" serrations. We have what we feel is a optimal shape/size/angle which we try to match, but even that is dfficult to do all of the time.

sal

[grdaniel]

Sal can you explain why Spyderco serrations vary so much from model to model? For example, the serrations on the C25 Centofante are much shallower than the norm, and the points on the C22 Walker are much sharper. In contrast, the points on the Native are very rounded, which in my opinion makes the blade easier to sharpen. The serrations also vary widely in density (some are much smaller and closer together than others). What are the critical factors here?

[ftkinney]

intresting thread, i used to not like serrations but i bougt a harpy and now i defianly think that as scorpius 711 put it well "Spyderco serrations ROCK!!!"

FTK

[sal]

Hi GRDaniel. Different makers and different blade shapes. Each model that is serrated has it's own serration wheel. these wheels constgantly wear and are constantly reprofiled. The different shapes are at different levels of wheel wear, or are shaped slightely different to accomodate the shape of the cutting edge.

Serratons are difficult to make effectively. That's why our serratons seem to work better...we spend more time working on them.

sal