When it comes time to choose a knife – whether part of your kitchen cutlery set or a utility tool – one of the biggest differences between the available blades is whether the edge is plain or serrated. Many knife customers end up wondering which is better. Both choices have the potential to be great knives, but it depends on the intended use of the knife.

There are two main types of actions you’ll be doing with the knife. With push cuts, you’ll be pushing through the item being cut. Actions considered push cuts include peeling an apple, chopping wood, and shaving with a straight razor. In slicing cuts, on the other hand, the cutting action is performed by sliding the edge of the knife across the item being cut. These actions include slicing a vegetable or a piece of meat, or sawing a board in half.

When it comes to plain or serrated blades, the conventional view is that the serrated edge is ideal for push cuts. The serrations tend to grab at the surface, slicing through it. Serrated blades are also ideal for cutting objects with a hard exterior and soft interior, such as tomatoes and bread. The high points of each serration touch the object first, and these areas have higher pressure, allowing them to puncture the surface easier. This makes serrated edges a great choice for cutting through tough objects such as rope or wood. Even a dull serrated edge may be surprisingly adept at slicing jobs, though of course knives always work best when they are as sharp as possible.

A plain edge, meanwhile, is better for slicing, particularly when the activity requires precision control and accuracy. Plain edges are preferred for precision work, such as the utility knives favored by hobbyists. A plain edge can attain a razor-sharp edge. With a sharpener of between 1200 grit and 6000 grit, the knife edge is so thin and sharp that it will cut through most materials smoothly. When sharpened with a coarser grit, leaving an edge that is not quite as sharp, may actually be better for some applications, as the blade will develop rough, “micro-serrated” edges.

With all of this information, which is better to carry for everyday use, a knife with a serrated edge or one with a plain blade? Unless you know that the majority of your activities will be either slicing or pushing actions, it may actually not matter too much. As long as you keep it sharp, either style should work fine for most applications.

Another option for everyday use is a blade combining plain and serrated blades. Usually, about half of the blade nearest to the tip is a plain edge, while the side of the edge closer to the handle is serrated. Many people feel that this is a good compromise, though particularly on smaller pocket knives it can mean too little of either style of blade to be of use.

Regardless of the type of knife you choose, always keep it sharpened. A well-sharpened plain blade will nearly always be better than a dull serrated one, and vice versa. Your sharpening strategy may also depend on the type of cutting you do; those who do a lot of push cutting should aim for the sharpest blade possible, while slicing is best with either a slightly coarser-ground plain edge and a serrated blade.

Author Bio: Sharpen ‘Em has a every brand of knife sharpener for the ultimate in knife maintenance. Also check for current specials on our sharpening systems

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