Intimidation of serrations on SD knife?

[nahfuten]

What is everyone's opinion of serrated blades on knifes used for self defense? Is it more intimidating to a BG?

Since I carry a knife which is strictly for self defense, I don't care that serrations are utterly useless for most other tasks.

 

[tyler34]

my opinion is and always will be that a sharp plain edge is the best for everything, and I hear people tell me, well I cut a crap ton of rope and I need the serrated blade or whatever. I can cut anything and anyone just as good and always better IMO with a plain edge rather than serrated. do you carry a spyderco civilian by chance?

 

[Lars]

I lean towards the sharp plain edge blades as well. The last thing I want in a SD scenario is the blade catching on something.....

As for intimidation factor. I'd bet if you polled 100 people who were mugged at knife point not one could tell you more than... He had a big knife... It looked sharp...

 

[ATF Consumer]

I thought I'd be happy with just a pain edge too until my I bought my latest knife, which is a combo and I can certainly say that there are applications for each.
While a plain edge blade will do anything I need, the serrated portion of the blade definitely cuts through certain materials much faster. The primary reason for me to carry is SD, but it really does come in handy for many other uses.
If I was getting cut by a knife as a BG, I'd choose the plain edge, as the serrated edge would cause more tissue damage...IMHO

 

[Jack Ryan]

What is everyone's opinion of serrated blades on knifes used for self defense? Is it more intimidating to a BG?

Since I carry a knife which is strictly for self defense, I don't care that serrations are utterly useless for most other tasks.

I don't know about intimidating the BG but it would probably scare the beejesus out of the GBM (Ginger Bread Man) as the only thing I know of that serrated blades make sense is on a bread knife.

I just can't wrap my mind around the concept that you carry a knife for self defense and you don't care if half the blade or more is in your words useless and your biggest concern is intimidation. I think you better be looking for a knife made of Hershey bar.

 

[ATF Consumer]

Here is a video of one guy's reasoning for each...there are others...

YouTube - Straight Edge VS Serrated Edge Blades

 

[esrice]

I think you better be looking for a knife made of Hershey bar.

And then attack ME with it!

 

[tyler34]

basically serrated edges were created for people who don't know how to sharpen/take of their knives under the guise that they stay sharper longer and don't need sharpening. this is obviously false and sharpening is required and harder to do on serrated edges. take a look at ginsu knives and anything else like that they are all serrated and many claim to not need sharpening. in SD serrated can create a nasty wound but are extremely prone to getting caught on clothing, watches, etc. a sharp plain edge( and every edge SHOULD be sharp) does not have that shortcoming and can do just as much damage usually going deeper into tissue. mike janich had a great article in tactical knife magazine awhile ago about this exact subject and in a diplomatic manner said plain edges were better.

 

[tyler34]

And then attack ME with it!

I think my wife would save you from that attacker.

 

[esrice]

I think my wife would save you from that attacker.

Then I'll just attack HER!

 

[bwframe]

Even if the serrated edge appeared more devastating, you can't afford the compromise in a SD knife. Your blade getting hung up in the BGs fly zipper, when it should be disabling an arm on the way to his neck, could be the difference in life and death to you.

 

[Pale Rider]

What is everyone's opinion of serrated blades on knifes used for self defense? Is it more intimidating to a BG?

Since I carry a knife which is strictly for self defense, I don't care that serrations are utterly useless for most other tasks.

If you're using your SD properly the BG isn't going to see it coming and won't have a chance to analyze it's brand, blade style or how much you paid for it. I would also venture to guess that if you are thinking about brandishing a knife serrated or not before a fight to try and intimidate someone you might have better luck just running before you get your a$$ kicked or shot ...

 

[Scutter01]

Then I'll just attack HER!

Death by chocolate!

 

[Eddie]

Keep them in the kitchen

Keep serrated edges in the kitchen. If you have to cut a bunch of stuff at work then carry two knives, one for SD and the other for cutting up stuff at work.

 

[tyler34]

Keep serrated edges in the kitchen.

????? thats the LAST place I want a serrated edge. when I'm cooking I'm looking for clean cuts not to use a saw blade. name a chef that uses serrated knives, none. I again defer to my previous post.

 

[Rey B]

Any good knife should be able to cut 4 ways. Long, wide, deep, and repeatedly.

 

[HICKMAN]

that video was painful to watch...

 

[HICKMAN]

Any good knife should be able to cut 4 ways. Long, wide, deep, and repeatedly.

amen brother

 

[JohnP82]

If you're using your SD properly the BG isn't going to see it coming and won't have a chance to analyze it's brand, blade style or how much you paid for it. I would also venture to guess that if you are thinking about brandishing a knife serrated or not before a fight to try and intimidate someone you might have better luck just running before you get your a$$ kicked or shot ...

well said!

 

[tradertator]

Regardless what you carry, the most important thing is that you keep it sharp. In general, I agree that I would rather have a plain edge opposed to a serrated in a self defense situation. However, I own and carry my Spyderco Civilian a lot, and feel really comfortable with it in hand. The thing you have to keep in mind with a blade of that style is it is not designed to stab, rather slash.