Serrated or Not?

[Jericho117]

Ok. What do you guys think about serrated knives? I own a Buck NightHawk and I use that as my survival knife because it is extremely tough and sharp. But the other reason I use it is because it's half serrated. I think a half serrated knife beats a non- serrated survival knife any day because the serrated part doesn't dull fast and can be used to cut down saplings and cut notches in a fireboard, and many other things. I hate using a rock on my knife to chop things because it damages it. I want to know what you guys think about serrated or non serrated knives.

[Canadian-guerilla]

how long have serrations been on knives ?
since Rambo ?
if serrations had any real purpose
they would have been on knives for the last hundred years
although, a serrated blade is handy in the kitchen
i just can't see it on a survival knife

[Jericho117]

I get your point. Maybe not so much for a survival knife, even though it has its advantages, but for a combat knife a serrated edge is perfect. It tears the skin instead of slicing it and causes more damage and the wound gets dirty and hard to dress. See thats why I like the Buck Nighthawk becuase it's a survival knife within a combat knife. Having a saw-like tool attatched or apart of another tool, such as a knife, is much more easier to store becuase you have two in one, slicer and serrated.

[FVR]

What???

Depends on what side is serrated. I have a Gerber, first two / three inches are a smooth blade, the back two inches are serrated. This works great for cutting branches, rope, bone, fingers, you get the drift. Like a little saw.

Serrations on the back of the blade are for show and serves no purpose. In a combat situation the serrations have a potential of getting stuck, in ribs and bones. It's better to have a straight razor edge that slides in and out easy.

TV knife fights are bs, the human body, skin, muscle, bones, yes they can be cut, but the body is a little tougher than most think. Why in the world would you have a weapon in a combat sit. that may get stuck?

But hey, it's tv, it's poplular, so I guess it's cool.

[Tony uk]

In short i dont like serrated blades and keep to razor sharp smooth blades, Although they are good for cutting wood etc.... ive never had to use them and from what i understand they are hard to re-sharpen. Go with a folding saw if you want to cut stuff like that

[Rick]

I have a knife to cut and a saw to saw.

[Jay]

Straight sharp edge. Serrations look neat on the back of a knife but are of little practical value. Some one gave me a gift of what he thought was the ultimate survival knife! Hollow handle with fish hooks, matches etc, Serrated back, 7" blade..you get the idea!! Its sits in its sheath at home! the one that goes out with me is an old handmade blade with a string wrapped handle. (Full tang ofcourse!) Serrations might be useful if cutting nylon rope. But for a general survival knife...I dont think so.

[Jericho117]

But thats what I mean. What if you had to pick only one tool or you only had one tool and you wanted a slicing but sawing ability. Im not saying a serrated edge is ideal for "looks" or a rambo style feel, im just saying thst I think it's a useful tool. Your never going to find me carrying around a single blade and a pocket saw. That just takes up my pocket room. I need more room for my pockets like for cordage, flint, my cellphone, small sharpening stone, ect......... any knife could be considered a survival knife except kitchen knives.

[Rick]

Even a kitchen knife could be a survival knife if that's all you had. My trusty little Old Timer could be. If you think about it, even something the size of Ka-Bar that's fully serrated isn't going to cut down a very large tree so a small serration isn't going to do a lot of good. If the limb is small enough to cut it's probably small enough to break. If you want to use it on rope, just cut it.

Having said all that, if you like a serrated knife and you feel it's useful, then by all means carry one. But you asked us what we think and that's what folks are responding to. It doesn't mean we're correct for your needs. It only means that's what we prefer.

[Sourdough]

[QUOTE=Rick;20410]Even a kitchen knife could be a survival knife if that's all you had. My trusty little Old Timer could be.

"The Old Timer".......Not a envelope that can't be opened with a "Muskrat Skinner"; Not a Moose that can't be fully butchered with a "Muskrat Skinner". You want to know what is a good knife? The one that is carried for 43 years, The blade sharpened so many times it is 1/3 it's original size. To be given such a great gift by an "Old Timer". And when someone ask's, "Son, where did you get that knife." You just smile, as you remember "The Old Timer."

[Sam]

Howdy all, I have an old SOG folder with a 3.5" blade I carry all the time, composite handle
weighs nothing. I had 1.25" serrated for cutting cords and straps when I worked in warehousing. Just my two cents.
-Sam

[Jericho117]

Sam- I own a SOG folder knife. It's the one with the tiger stripes. Those are really good knives.

[Sarge47]

If you like it, carry it, you don't have to try and convince us. Both my Buck fixed-blade knives and my ka-bar do not have serrations. For that I prefer a straight edge. Both my Buck folders have partially serrated edges because that's the way they came and I like them just fine. I would never have a knife specifically to do double-duty as a saw. If I lost my knife then I've also lost my saw. I carry a Gerber folding saw and a Buck "Field-Hatchet".

[carcajou garou]

My main "go to" knife has a plain edge, I do carry in my pack a partially serrated edge, now on my floatation device I have a serrated fixed blade.

[Sourdough]

Why are people so rightous about knives. It is just a tool. One knife thread is not ended, befor another is started. Why does anybody care what someone else thinks of his knife? Is it somehow tied to manhood. My knife is better than your knife. Yes, a boy's first knife is, "a right of passage" of sorts, showing that he is responsable. Is there some Mythology I am missing? I could not care less what anyone thinks of my knife.

Rick: you missed the ODE' to the old timer.

[Sarge47]

Maybe, like guns, we view it as a Phylic symbol; you think?

[tracks]

First the knife..then the eye sight goes,JUST PICKING..HOPEAK ..I put a lot of thought in my knifes to....I buy them by the dozens at big lots...

[Sourdough]

Maybe, like guns, we view it as a Phylic symbol; you think?

And I edited it 6 times to remove to remove my tool is ****** that your tool. Yes, I do think it has something to do with Manhood, power, intimidation.

[Rick]

Yea? That's why I carry an old Japanese stainless. Just for the bragging rights. I'm like Tracks, if it cuts, I'll carry it. Arrr, arrr, arrr, arrr.

[Sam]

I don't saw with the SOG. I have a GERBER saw for that. Just that day to day I cut open things like tape, nylon straps and the like. I still know that the best knife is the one you carry.