serrated edge, to sharpen or not to sharpen?

[wally]

Happy Holidays to all. Got my first spyderco, a police P edge for x-mas! It came with a catalog and I have already got a wish list going.

Can anyone tell me, as a serrated edge dulls with use can it be sharpened as a plain edge is? Is it easy, more difficult?

Also, am considering a dragonfly or calypso jr. for EDC. Any thoughts on those?



Thanks for any help, new guy Wally

[rico]

WALLY - I have the Spyderco Tri Angular sharpener. I have not had any difficulty sharpening serrated blades. Just keep in mind the serrations are there for tougher cuts and may lose its edge quicker. rr

[haji]

serrated edges, in general, will stay sharp longer than plain edges, sometimes by dramatic differences. The only easy way to sharpen serrations is on the Sharpmaker. Don't sharpen them as you would a plain edge (on a stone or round ceramic rod sharpener); you'll wreck the serrations.

Its all fun and games til somebody loses an eye, then its fun and games you can't see.

[Hoosierdaddy]

Wally,

Welcome to the Spyderco Forum!

You should really like your Police model, I have a S/S S/E and rotate it as an EDC!
Is yours G-10 or S/S?
I hope to get a P/E Police when they come out in VG-10.

Edited by - Hoosierdaddy on 12/27/2001 1:39:05 PM

[RYAN]

Serrated is the bomb. It stays sharper longer and will still cut when dulled down. I also find it much easier to sharpen a serrated blade (on the Sharpmaker), and believe me I do quite a bit of sharpening here on the job. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>



Edited by - RYAN on 12/27/2001 3:30:06 PM

[yog]

Hi Wally, welcome to the forum.

A serrated blade should stay sharper longer than a plain edge, the teeth prevent the cutting edge from running along hard flat surfaces as well as spreading the material to be cut in order to give the inner cutting faces a cleaner run, although eventually the knife will need sharpening.

The best method I have found so far is the Spyderco 204 Sharpmaker. It is very easy to use, it comes with both a booklet and a very good video on how to use it. The Sharpmaker is just as comfortable on serrations as it is on plain edges.

I cannot speak for the Dragonfly, as I don't own one, but the Calypso Jnr Lwt is an excellent small knife, nice grind and an excellent steel.

"Walk softly, but carry a big stick."

[wally]

Thanks for all the good info.
Looks like I need to add a sharpmaker to my wish list.

Hoosierdaddy, its a g-10, I may exchange for S/S though.

Wally

[Rookie]

Get the Stainless steel.

In the land of knives, Spyderco is king.

[ruxton]

Hi Wally,
welcome to the forum, dunno about sharpening but IMHO the calypso Jr. is the second best sub 4 inch folder in the spyderco line (second only to the harpy)
i carry my PE lightweight version one every day
MAT

[Alan2112]

With a 204, to me it's just as easy after a lot of practice! RKBA!

[toothed]

Although I have a Sharpmaker and use that for my sharpening needs, I've seen ads in magazines about a Lansky sharpener that is dedicated for sharpening only Spyderco serrations. (As you may already know, there is no universal serration pattern and the designs vary by manufacturer). I've never handled one personally but it seems to make sense. I wonder why Spyderco didn't think of that product. Maybe someone else here with experience on the special Lansky sharpener can give their comments.

[Jeff/1911]

If you have a G-10 plain edge already (now discontinued and soon to be rare...) why not go buy a serrated s/s model to keep it company? I've got one of these and it's a beautiful knife.

Jeff/1911.

[wally]

Jeff,not a bad idea. Its only money and I seem to have spyder fever!

Thanks, Wally

[Sword and Shield]

Hi Wally! Welcome to Spyderland! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

As for sharpening serrations, the secret is to sharpen them deeper as the knife ages. The 204 is incredibly good for this, and will bring a dull knife to frighteningly sharp.

Keep your G10 Police. The G10 is discontinued, while you can get SS whenever you want.

Keepin' it real...real sharp, that is.

[sal]

Hey Wally. The 204 Sharpmaker should take care of your sharpening needs for most edges. We've spend a great deal of time and funds developing the unit over the past 20 years. We also have a video that is pretty good about explaining the tool and edges in general.

Hi Toothed. You might work with the Lansky unit before coming to any conclusions.

Spyderco make a cermic stone a number of years ago that had one large and two small &quot;humps&quot; that were built to match the existing serration. In the end, the serrartions varied too much and the product didn't sell well.

sal