The test.

[gene stoner]

I have heard so much about the debate about Serrated vs non serrated over the years that I decided to do some testing on my own. I went for a walk this morning hoping to find some junk to cut up and this is what I found. Part of a nylon tiedown a thin nylon strap a rubber tiedown and part of a heavy rubber mat. For the test I'll be using a plain edge two handed Trekker and a Soldier knife.

[Mizedog]

Waiting,  wondering...

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

[gene stoner]

Both knifes are sharpened to razor sharp by me before every test start.

Starting with the nylon straps the thin white one cur easy with both blade's with the plane edge (PE) leaving a cleaner cut
The heavier tiedown strap was a little easier with the serated blade but the PE left a cleaner cut.
So far I can't see enough difference to pick one or the other.

[gene stoner]

Next on the list is the rubber tiedown. The serated won this one but not by much. Both blade's did great with no significant dulling noticed. I tried some push cuts as well as slicing both blade's did well but for the push cuts the plane chisel grind edge and serations on the Soldier did the best. Now let's sharpen the blade's and do some more cutting.

[gene stoner]

Last for now but maybe the most interesting is the rubber mat. For speed the serated won but the cuts where not as clean as the PE. I did some slicing and push cuts. The chisle grind PE on the solder cut as clean as the PE Trekker but I think the Trekker PE was just a little easier to control. This exercise dulled both blade's but even dull both blade's still sliced through the hard rubber.
So far I can't really say one is better then the other.

More to come as I find more stuff to cut.

[jalind]

I have heard so much about the debate about Serrated vs non serrated over the years that I decided to do some testing on my own. I went for a walk this morning hoping to find some junk to cut up and this is what I found. Part of a nylon tiedown a thin nylon strap a rubber tiedown and part of a heavy rubber mat. For the test I'll be using a plain edge two handed Trekker and a Soldier knife.

    

[Barry Rowland]

 

[SAK Guy]

Awesome Gene!!!!!

[cali-SAK-attack]

AWESOME "TESTING"   

 

I did a similar one once years back ...... the material that was great on testing sharpness,edge geometry , etc.. was Weed Eater string....the thick stuff (orange or lime green) , try push cutting that stuff ( 20 cuts on each ) , it was a great media to actual show me differences. 

[gene stoner]

AWESOME "TESTING"   

 

I did a similar one once years back ...... the material that was great on testing sharpness,edge geometry , etc.. was Weed Eater string....the thick stuff (orange or lime green) , try push cutting that stuff ( 20 cuts on each ) , it was a great media to actual show me differences. 

I'll have to look for weed eater line to test. Thanks for the idea.

[G-Dizzle]

I've read that a serrated edge holds a usable edge much longer.. I'd personally like to see that tested with vic since their serrations are not.. Normal

[gene stoner]

I've read that a serrated edge holds a usable edge much longer.. I'd personally like to see that tested with vic since their serrations are not.. Normal

I'm actually looking for something to test that theory out with so check back. You never know what I'll find to cut up.

[SteveC]

Great test Gene   

[Crow]

I've read that a serrated edge holds a usable edge much longer.. I'd personally like to see that tested with vic since their serrations are not.. Normal

I'm actually looking for something to test that theory out with so check back. You never know what I'll find to cut up.

Try cardboard. That dulls blades fast. And easy to see results as it begins to tear.

[magentus]

Cool test Gene - thanks for doing it on our behalf. Looking forward to more results...... 

[glenfiddich1983]

 Nice testing, and thanks for sharing! 

[Gareth]

Very interesting Gene.  Thanks for doing this.

[firiki]

Very interesting Gene.  Thanks for doing this.

+1   

From my limited observations, I'd say the serrated beast is better at hacking or to put it in another way, it works best for tasks where precision is not of paramount importance. Slashing is another thing it does well, which makes sense for a soldier's knife.

I've cut a bunch of fern with it and it worked great. No idea about dulling though, I'm very interested to hear your findings

[gene stoner]

Cool test Gene - thanks for doing it on our behalf. Looking forward to more results...... 

You told me I should do my own testing so I took your advice.

[Etherealicer]

Nice

Looking forward to more tests. Will you also do a sharpening comparison?

[gene stoner]

Nice

Looking forward to more tests. Will you also do a sharpening comparison?

What type of sharpening comparison did you have in mind?  To be honest both blade's are hair shaving sharp when I start a test. (Yes you can shave with the Vic serated blade just be careful.)

[Aloha]

What I've read is serrated edges don't have to be as sharp as PE to still cut.  When the points may dull the scalloped part will retain its edge and still be able to perform. 

Last for now but maybe the most interesting is the rubber mat. For speed the serated won but the cuts where not as clean as the PE. I did some slicing and push cuts. The chisle grind PE on the solder cut as clean as the PE Trekker but I think the Trekker PE was just a little easier to control. This exercise dulled both blade's but even dull both blade's still sliced through the hard rubber.
So far I can't really say one is better then the other.
 

I'd be curious to see the tests continued after the edges were noticeably dull.  As mentioned the points on the SE may feel dull yet still perform.  I'd be interested how long the PE would perform once the edge was feeling dull. 


Good job and thank you. 
   

[Etherealicer]

Nice

Looking forward to more tests. Will you also do a sharpening comparison?

What type of sharpening comparison did you have in mind?  To be honest both blade's are hair shaving sharp when I start a test. (Yes you can shave with the Vic serated blade just be careful.)

It would be interesting what kind of setup you use and how long it takes.

I'm not very good at sharpening, but I can work with PE blades. Serrated blades take me forever.

[Etherealicer]

What I've read is serrated edges don't have to be as sharp as PE to still cut.  When the points may dull the scalloped part will retain its edge and still be able to perform. 

Last for now but maybe the most interesting is the rubber mat. For speed the serated won but the cuts where not as clean as the PE. I did some slicing and push cuts. The chisle grind PE on the solder cut as clean as the PE Trekker but I think the Trekker PE was just a little easier to control. This exercise dulled both blade's but even dull both blade's still sliced through the hard rubber.
So far I can't really say one is better then the other.
 

I'd be curious to see the tests continued after the edges were noticeably dull.  As mentioned the points on the SE may feel dull yet still perform.  I'd be interested how long the PE would perform once the edge was feeling dull. 


Good job and thank you. 
   

This is exactly why steak-knives are serrated. The teeth get blunted quickly, cutting into porcelain, but the knife stays sharp in-between.

[gene stoner]

Nice

Looking forward to more tests. Will you also do a sharpening comparison?

What type of sharpening comparison did you have in mind?  To be honest both blade's are hair shaving sharp when I start a test. (Yes you can shave with the Vic serated blade just be careful.)

It would be interesting what kind of setup you use and how long it takes.

I'm not very good at sharpening, but I can work with PE blades. Serrated blades take me forever.

The Vic serated blade is easier then most serrated blade's on the market. Rarely do I use anything more then an old butcher steel. Later today I'll try to give pics and details on angle and such.

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

How about food tasks...bread, tomaters etc...are you gonna cut the cheese? 

[gene stoner]

How about food tasks...bread, tomaters etc...are you gonna cut the cheese? 

I do plan on testing food like you suggested just not sure when yet. I may have to go to grocery store dumpster to see what I can find.

[sLaughterMed]

How about food tasks...bread, tomaters etc...are you gonna cut the cheese? 

I do plan on testing food like you suggested just not sure when yet. I may have to go to grocery store dumpster to see what I can find.

... Ewwww....

[gene stoner]

Some people have asked how I sharpen my 111mm chisel grind serrated blade?

I'll try to explain.
Hold the knife at about30 degrees + or -on the sharpened side. Use a round sharpener or the corner of a square one. Pass the blade 5 to 7 times then reverse to the non sharpened at about 5 degrees + or - lightly do 1 to 3 swipes. The only reason you touch up the non sharpened side is to remove the burrs. Don't try to sharpen the nonsharpened side just remove the burrs!
Repeat till you're done

[gene stoner]

Look what my walk brought me today. Some rubber weather striping, a couple of leather gloves and a bunch off heavy nylon strap. As soon as I get a chance I'll stat cutting. Can't promise it'll be today but I'll try.