When looking for a new knife, one of the most common questions we get is whether plain or serrated blades are better. The physical distinctions are evident, but the answer to which is better is far more difficult.
It depends on what you intend to use the blade for and in what scenarios. Continue reading to find out more about the serrated vs. straight-edge knife controversy and which one you should add to your collection.
Plain-Blade Knives
Plain-edge knives, which have a single continuous sharp edge, are significantly more traditional. They have a considerably broader application in EDC, outdoor, and tactical operations. Their most useful application is what most of us think of when we think of wielding a knife: applying hard, consistent pressure. For ages, this design has been proven to give precision and control in a range of situations.
Straight-edge knives are more suited to tasks like piercing and slicing, allowing the user to initiate a cut in one single motion. Additionally, they’re easier to sharpen with a typical stone or electric sharpener than serrated blades.
Another significant advantage of a plain edge blade is that it does not snag or fray while cutting through certain ropes and cables. A clean cut is nearly always achieved with a straight edge. Other ropes, such as those made of plastics or other synthetic materials, may cause the blade to slip rather than cut. Sharpening these blades is normally easy, though this can vary depending on the material used to make the blade.
Serrated Blades
Blades with serrated edges have a toothed or saw-like edge ground into the cutting surface. These are designed to be used in a back-and-forth motion, similar to a tiny saw. They’re ideal for slicing through belts and ropes, as well as fabric and other textured materials.
Serrated blades are also effective on materials that are soft, pliable, or easily crushed with downward cutting. Bread, cooked meats, soft fruits, and vegetables are all excellent materials for use with a serrated knife.
The disadvantage of serrated blades is that they quickly cause fraying, particularly with ropes and fabrics. Furthermore, when the blade dulls, it becomes much more difficult to sharpen and necessitates the use of specialized sharpening tools. Serrated blades do not cut as cleanly as straight-edge knives. Sharpening often necessitates taking the blade to a professional sharpener, particularly if the sharpening is long overdue.
With this lack of clean cutting, there’s a higher potential for injury. Be sure to be as careful as you can when using serrated edges, even more than regularly bladed knives.
If you feel your knives are not performing to optimal quality, give us a call today. We’ll make sure that your knives work like new in no time, and that you have no issues with lacking precision on cuts.
Conclusion
Both plain-edge and serrated blades have their advantages and disadvantages, making them suitable for different tasks. A serrated blade is great for slicing through ropes and belts, while a straight edge will handle precision cutting with ease. If you’re looking to add a new knife to your collection, it might be worth getting one of each! Whichever you choose, just make sure that it fits your needs and is of the highest quality.