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The Daily Insight

Should an EDC knife be serrated?

Author

Christopher Pierce

Updated on April 21, 2026

For your typical EDC loadout, a plain edge will do fine, but you might want a serrated or combination edge blade for when you go hiking or camping. Even visual preference will come into play. If you like the look of a serrated knife, you’re more likely to carry it.

Is serrated or straight edge better?

The main difference between plain edge blade and serrated blades comes down to how you use your blade. As we’ve just explained plain edges are better for push cuts and serrated edges are better for slicing cuts.

Is a serrated blade worth it?

Even though a serrated blade stays useful for longer than a plain edge knife, when it does get dull you’re looking at either specialty sharpeners or a professional to get it back to factory sharpness. This makes a serrated knife a more specific-purpose type of knife compared to a general-purpose plain edge one.

Should a survival knife be serrated?

Blade Design Since a survival knife may need to make both pushing cuts and slicing cuts, a reasonable option is to have a partially serrated blade. A blade that has a serrated portion of less than 1.5 inches may not be very useful.

When should I use a serrated knife?

Serrated knives are especially useful when making sandwiches – use a serrated blade for cutting the bread and a serrated blade for slicing tomatoes and cucumber. Our popular Sandwich knife, with a serrated edge and broad blade for spreading is especially designed for making sandwiches quickly and effectively.

Why do serrated knives work better?

The serrated design of a quality knife is so efficient that it will still slice well even when the teeth and gullets become dull after years of use. This is due to the chisel grind of the serrations, which get less contact with food during cutting.

What is serrated edge good for?

Serrated edges are blades that have some kind of toothed or saw-like edge ground into the cutting surface. They’re great for cutting through belts and ropes, fabric and various other textured materials. Serrated blades also work great on substances that are soft, flexible or can be crushed easily with downward cutting.

When should you use a serrated knife?

What is a serrated edge good for?

What is the point of a serrated edge?

Serrated edges are blades that have some kind of toothed or saw-like edge ground into the cutting surface. These are intended to be used much like a small saw with a back-and-forth motion. They’re great for cutting through belts and ropes, fabric and various other textured materials.

Do chefs use serrated knives?

The razor-sharp edge allows you to make a cut when you force it into the food. In fact, a chef’s knife can cut, shave, chop, peel, slash, and more. Because of this, a chef’s knife will see more action in the kitchen than a serrated knife. So instead, you use the serrated edge to grip the crust and make the initial cut.

Why bread knife is serrated?

Bread knives are used for cutting bread and are one of many kitchen knives used by cooks. The serrated blades of bread knives are able to cut soft bread without crushing it.

What is the difference between plain edge and serrated edge?

The plain edge is often closer to the tip than the handles to give you better leverage and precision. The serrated portion is usually nearer to the handles and your hand, giving you a better grip to push and pull when putting the serrations to use on tougher cuts.

What is a serrated edge knife blade?

A serrated edge is simply a knife blade that has a jagged edge with “teeth.” Think of a mini hack saw, but with not as well defined teeth and probably not as scary looking. These miniature “teeth” make the serrated blade good for tasks that involve slicing. Examples include cutting a rib-eye steak or cutting a plastic water bottle.

What is the best edge to use for cutting?

For general everyday tasks, a plain edge is your best bet. It gives you a clean cut with a long edge for constant pressure and precision. A serrated edge becomes useful when dealing with tough materials, like cutting through rope, heavy fabrics, or foliage.

Do scalpels have a plain edge?

Yes, scalpels have a plain edge. Finally, the plain edge blade is good for tasks that require the object being cut to have a smooth edge after cutting. For example, cutting skin during surgery or cutting a piece of paper. Trust me, you don’t want your surgeon using a serrated edge blade to make their initial incision.