KnifeCenter FAQ #80: Are Serrations Bad? + Scandi, Saber and Flat Grinds KarambitKnives,com
Where do you draw the line between flat grinds and saber grinds, or is there a line at all? Plus we talk the pros and cons of serrations, the benefits of reprofiling your knife’s edge, and how to add traction to your EDC’s handle.
Featured Knives
TOPS Mini Scandi Flipper:
Cold Steel French Officer’s Saber:
ESEE 5:
CIVIVI Conspirator:
Spyderco Stretch:
Spyderco Paramilitary 2:
Boker Joule:
Ontario Bob Dozier Arrow:
0:00 Intro
0:52 Scandi, Saber and Flat Grinds
4:58 The Pros and Cons of Serrations
8:33 Paramilitary 2 Companion Knife
10:17 Reprofiling Edge Angles
13:15 Knife Guys Gotta Fidget
13:48 Adding Traction to Wood Handles
15:36 Accidents Happen
16:00 Slaying Dragons (Hopefully Small Ones)
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How is it possible there are so many absolute nerds in this one hobby? Lord!
I have serrated knives, because, knives.
Serrated knives are a niche for me.
I prefer the clean look for edc
I despise serrated blades, especially partially serrated with the serrations at the base. You can't whittle or strip electric wire with a blade like that. As for cutting heavy rope, there's not much call to cut hawser in central Kansas.
Serrated knives are useful for dealing with ferocious baguettes you might come across in the wild.
Perfect example where a serrated knife works greal is opening a coconut. Try slicing a coconut with a flat knife then try a serrated or a saw blade like that on a swiss army, which is why i consider it the most versitile non defensive knife ever.
The knife flipping thing is kind of like testing your tongs. Lol
Serration it's one of the most functional thing on Planet Heart… People that dont like serrated Blade are giust people unable to resharp serrated Blade. Fact. Buth the funniest thing of that, it's thet serrated Edge allways cut, never fall and almost never you Need to resharp It… you can damge a plain Edge and After don't cut, but if you damge and ruined a serrated Edge.. still cut. (SORRY FOR MY TERRIBLE EANGLISH)
I've never missed having serrations.
I would choose the esee for the dragons. And this is based off of experience.
Serrations cut deeper .
Ганебні виродки!
Depends on what kind of cutting your doing. That will tell you what cuts better. Nothing more.
I found the knife in the thumbnail on the side of the street near a basketball court so I doubt it’s good
The question was "is a sharp knife just as good as anything a serrated knife does" Now flip it around. Can a serrated knife do anything a straight knife does" I LOVE serrations. Its my goto for real cutting jobs.
15V vs Cruware, I’m not a steel nerd, just trying to sort them out.
Spyderco hasn't changed theirs for over a decade and I don't think their"s ever worked!
I carry both a plain Delica and a full serrated Delica ( both stainless steel ) every day.
My uncle has been a white water rafting instructor for 26 years. For ten years he’s had a Byrd Cara Cara Rescue 2 (Spyderco) with full serrations, a $37 knife. He’s never had to sharpen it because serrations have so much cutting power and they takes years and years before they need to be sharpened and by that point you would have got a new knife anyway. If you want a knife that’s just going to work/cut every time get a serrated knife.
If I have serrations on a knife I really like having partial serrations. I feel like it gives you the advantages of a plain edge while still giving you the option to easily cut through rope. I really like partial serrations on my outdoors and “tactical” knives. On my Microtechs I like the d/e with the top edge being serrated and the bottom being plain. I also really like how benchmade leaves “puppy teeth” on their plain edges, which gives you a little bit more traction when trying to get through a rope
My son bought me a knife for Father’s Day which I’ve used primarily for cutting cardboard. The blade dulled quickly. What is the best way to sharpen my knife?
What are you opinions on the crkt homefront? I'm really fond of the ease of cleaning. Are there other knives with similar takedown features?
I carry a Spyderco serrated. It doesn’t dull out as fast when I’m out and use it as a steak knife. Points hit the plate before the edge
The way you chose your words in the serration response makes me think you've studied what makes effective communication. Well spoke!
If you ever cut rope or straps, a serrated edge is your best friend.
DCA, is blade play something to be concerned about? How much is too much, & does it depend on the type of locking mechanism? I somewhat obsess over blade play, but should I be worrying about it?
Serrations are super underrated!
I happen to think Spyderco is the best at those too…
Y’all flamed the guy who owned the conspirator lmao
The release of the Boker daily Ak1 is exciting. I love the size, shape, and the pocket sheath. Now I wonder DCA why aren’t there more edc pocket fixed blades on the market?
They are a pain to sharpen. I will go without.
Thinning the edge (or removing some of the "shoulder" as it was called here) can actually increase longevity because the amount of metal removed at each subsequent sharpening is less. It also reduces the time for honing and restoring performance.
Serrations are incontrovertibly better for fresh bread and materials of similar texture. I usually use a serrated edge to cut large pieces of low density urethane foam etc. Other that that, an understanding of how not to use a knife like it's a saw or some other tool will handle most other issues. If you really need something that will withstand abuse and don't ever need a fine cut, or you just suck at sharpening, serrations are also probably the way to go. With experience in both use and sharpening, one will usually find fewer and fewer uses for serrations and "toothy" edges.
My EDC was 1/2 serrated 1/2 plane edge for a really long time. I’ve been carrying a large folder for cutting nylon off big round hay bales, but I still miss that serrated portion. Works so much better cutting rope, plastics, etc.
Hey DCA…what would you recommend for carry during mountain biking? Intermediate (blue) trails, so I'm doing nothing crazy. Neck knife (what I've been using)? Serrated for when cutting back trail overgrowth? Perhaps something to attach to a Camelbak? I'd prefer quick access for personal defense considerations. Thanks!!!
I have a stone knife blade on my KC exclusive Sig K320, and stone washed titanium scales on my Spyderco Para 3, and I noticed they are both super smooth to the touch. Is this a natural result or is there something extra done to stonewashes to give them that smooth feel?
Moin DCA, started watching your videos recently and been really enjoying them.
I like to grip my knives as close to the cutting edge as possible to keep the lever as short as possible. The best design in the folder department that I've been able to find are the spydercos with the nice big finger choil. But spydercos are kinda out of my price range so I was wondering if you could give me some pointers of good designs in the budget department.
Greetings from germany and thanks in advance.
Hi DCA and team, thanks for all the content! Wonderful work. I have a general question about cultural and country-specific influences and styles. U mention Italian knives (crown spines, etc.), Japanese inspired x, y, or z, and American this or that. I’m sure styles, types, name your category, all blend together to a degree but are their holistic distinctions these days between the designers and knife makers from various countries?
Hey David, I've decided your idea of a Victorinox with serrations at the tip of the blade on the One-Handed Trekker is a great idea. Do they make suck a knife with: One hand opener, saw, scissors, phillips and screwdriver? Other instruments like bottle/can opener and awl would be nice, but the saw, scissors, and one-hand opener are must-haves. By the way, I live in the desert West, and when my hands are really dry, my wooden-handled Conspirator also slips very easy in my hands. I'm going to put in some hand checkering with a very fine saw blade.
Hello DCA! I need help. I recently lost my Kershaw Vapor which has been my go to edc for nearly 20 years. I have a Tupperware container full of knives from Buck, Cold Steel, Spyderco, and other brands, but none of them feel and care like that Vapor. So what would you recommend as a possible replacement up $125 in price, 3 inch narrow blade height. Bonus points for USA made and an easy to sharpen steel (read as no D2).
Bread! Bread knives are serrated for a reason. It’s almost sawing but a strong pull cut really bites through it
With the hot weather arriving, what is a good lightweight primary carry knife with an inconspicuous clip