How to tell if a serrated blade is sharp?

ChopperCharles · **on:** June 05, 2018, 09:45:56 PM

It doesn't really cut through paper very well. It's more of a saw/tear thing. It cuts through zip ties and suppression-core spark plug wire easily. 12ga primary wire with more difficulty (two slices). And it took 4 slices to get all the way through 1/2" diameter nylon rope. 85mm Wenger with a fully serrated blade.

Thoughts?

How does one even sharpen these? Really small round file? Or just hand it to a pro with some cash?

Charles.

hiraethus · **Reply #1 on:** June 05, 2018, 09:54:54 PM

If you’ve been cutting copper wire, it’s a safe bet it’s not sharp.

Mechanickal · **Reply #2 on:** June 05, 2018, 09:55:48 PM

Honing steel for the win.

Thunderpants · **Reply #3 on:** June 05, 2018, 10:29:52 PM

Honing, I shrunk the kids

smiller43147 · **Reply #4 on:** June 06, 2018, 02:21:36 AM

To answer the title of the thread: cut something.
To answer the real question of how to sharpen it: I find that my Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker works great. Just use the corners of the stones, and go slowly so the stone goes over the full profile. And serrated blades are almost always ground chisel point (one sided).

VICMAN · **Reply #5 on:** June 06, 2018, 02:38:19 PM

I use the Eze-Lap tapered diamond sharpener in the bottom of the photo and the Victorinox pocket steel right above it to sharpen serrated blades.

I hold the tapered sharpener at a 90 degree angle to the blade and using the smallest part of the taper I slowly rake it back and forth across the serrations of the blade from tip to base of the blade and finish off with a swipe across the back of the blade to knock off the burr (that is if it is a chisel ground blade).....if it is beveled on both sides I repeat the first step on the 2nd side.

I finish off with a few light swipes on each side with my pocket steel.

Click on picture for best picture

gene stoner · **Reply #6 on:** June 06, 2018, 04:06:04 PM

Really good suggestions they should all work just fine for most serrated blades. The last few years I've been using a Worksharp. 5 different sharpening surfaces end one just for sharpening serrations.

captain spaulding · **Reply #7 on:** June 06, 2018, 04:23:43 PM

Quote from: smiller43147 on June 06, 2018, 02:21:36 AM

To answer the title of the thread: cut something.
To answer the real question of how to sharpen it: I find that my Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker works great. Just use the corners of the stones, and go slowly so the stone goes over the full profile. And serrated blades are almost always ground chisel point (one sided).

I love the Tri-Angle stone on my Sharpmaker for sharpening serrations!