Hey guys, new to the forum here. I searched around, but didn't really see me question addressed anywhere so here goes:

When buying a knife for camping/survival/outdoors use should I get a knife with a serrated or plain edge? What are the benefits of each?

Thanks!

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Please don't take my avatar to seriously. I'm really not a bible thumping armageddon prophet.

I've always used a plain edge. Neva had a serrated edge so I can't really compare.

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Been there. Done that. Got the t-shirt. Got too fat to wear the t-shirt.

Personally, I like a plain edge on my camp knives and a serrated edge on my pocket folders. One downside to the serrated blades is that they can be harder to sharpen (especially in the field) with out the right tools.

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If it's in your pack, but you don't know how to use it...it's useless. So, always test your skills as a form of preparation...Don't wait until your life depends on it. That's a lesson you don't want to learn the hard way.

I have always preferred plain edge blades. The blades I carry sharpen easily with just a couple of good stones. Serrated blades can be hard to sharpen, at least this is what I have been told.

My plain edge blades have always worked well for me when skinning and cleaning game. Sometimes I will do my own butchering. It's not pretty, but I know I can butcher well enough in case I would have to do so to survive. When doing this I have had trouble cutting some ligaments and tendons. A friend of mine told me that this is where a serrated blade really shines.

I have been considering getting a knife with a serrated blade to learn what it can and can't do for myself. Right now it is low on my list of priorities where my survival preps are concerned.

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Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.

NRA Certified Instructor for Basic Handgun and Personal protection in the Home.
V.F.W. Life Member
NRA Member
U.S. Army Veteran

I can't offer too much input to this question since I leave the knives to Hubby. But I do know that his blade has the serrations, for what it's worth.

If it is a survivalknife stick with a plain edge. It is much easier to sharpen in the field, hell, you can use

a stone to sharpen a plain edged knife. try that with a serrated edge!

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Retired Navy SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape) Instructor
certified pistol, rifle, shotgun, home defense Instructor
NRA Life Member
Survival & Disaster Preparedness Instructor

Thanks for the responses. After looking around some I did go with a plain edge and couldn't be happier with the blade so far. BTW, I ended up with the shorter Kabar and think that it's a great starting point. It's held up well for me so far.

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Please don't take my avatar to seriously. I'm really not a bible thumping armageddon prophet.

I have to agree that for out in the field, a plain edge is preferable.