XD Talk

AmickAndAmick · 05-08-2012, 09:02 PM

What are the partially serrated blades for?

Can they be sharpened?

Some many types of steel? Not going to pay 200 bucks for a pocket knife so which good quailty for price?

OKcherokee · 05-08-2012, 09:16 PM

The only thing I really encounter daily that my straight edge has trouble with are zip ties. Small ones are no problem, but I often have to cut some pretty heavy duty ones that hold small bundles of flat steel together, and those are easier to get with a serrated blade.

If you don't sharpen your knives often, having serrations can help somewhat in cutting things, just depends on what you are using it for. For me, about 90% of the things I encounter do not require a serrated blade as long as I keep a good edge.

Medic738 · 05-08-2012, 09:34 PM

I use a partially serrated knife every day from cutting sea belts and clothes and tape and all kinds stuff. The serrations are awesome for getting the cutting started.

AmickAndAmick · 05-08-2012, 09:47 PM

How would the serrated part work on card board?

OKcherokee · 05-08-2012, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmickAndAmick

How would the serrated part work on card board?

Well, it will cut it but it isn't pretty. Rip would be a more appropriate term.
When my blade is at it's sharpest it will go through cardboard extremely easily. It allows me to slice through the cardboard in one motion rather than saw through it like you would with a serrated blade.

For a clean cut on cardboard, a really sharp straight edge is the way to go. Probably why box knives are flat, sharp, and thin.

AirForceAce357 · 05-09-2012, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmickAndAmick

What are the partially serrated blades for?

Can they be sharpened?

Some many types of steel? Not going to pay 200 bucks for a pocket knife so which good quailty for price?

1) Some people like having partial serrations on blades for cutting through things like rope, seat belts, heavy fabric etc. I personally prefer plain edge blades for my EDC uses.

2) Serrations can be sharpened but it is more difficult to do yourself. One popular option is the Spyderco Sharpmaker, it was designed to be able to sharpen serrations. I personally cannot sharpen serrations so I avoid them (I've also busted teeth off several different brands of knives over the years).

3) As for steel, there are some really good high-value steels out there. 8CR13MOV and AUS8 are both great steels that don't cost too much, give good edge retention, are easy to sharpen and can be made razor sharp. 420HC is also pretty good. The downside to these steels is that they can and will rust on you if you don't keep 'em oiled and take care of them. My EDC is the Spyderco Tenacious, which uses 8CR13MOV and I've had good experience with it. I did get a little rust on the relief edge but that was easy to remove (I actually had that knife duracoated to permanently solve that problem). VG-10 is also a great steel, will cost more but will give you better rust resistance while still being easy to sharpen. There are also the higher priced, high end steels like 145CM and S30V. These are the steels that can be very expensive, but are VERY rust resistant and tough, though they can also be tougher to sharpen.

I'm perfectly happy with the 8CR13MOV and AUS8 steels in my blades, and have no real need to pay for higher end steels for EDC blades. 420HC is also good (my leathermans use it) but I find it dulls faster than the other two.

You'll have to decide what will work for you, based on what you need your knife to do.

DevJames · 05-09-2012, 03:25 PM

use a box cutter with replaceable blades on cardboard

that ****'s rough on a pocket knife!

I try to not have to cut anything with my Blur. I want it sharp when I really need it.

AKC · 05-10-2012, 08:31 AM

Yea for cutting cardboard I'd say use the tool that's designed for it. A box cutter with replaceable blades.

Cardboard has clay in it and will dull a blade pretty fast.

Serrations are good for things like some of the other posters mentioned.

madmike76 · 05-10-2012, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKC

Cardboard has clay in it and will dull a blade pretty fast.

Thanks for that bit of info, I never knew that.

AKC · 05-10-2012, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmike76

Thanks for that bit of info, I never knew that.

Most people don't. Then they wonder why their blade won't hold an edge for long cutting cardboard. It's basically like sticking your knife in the dirt and digging with it.

I would never use my knives to cut cardboard unless it was my last alternative.