If you spend any amount of time outdoors, you must have the right equipment. This includes a good quality survival knife. But what type of knife do you need? There are so many different survival knives available that it can be difficult to choose, especially if you are not experienced with this gear.
For instance, when choosing a survival knife, should you get one with serrations or a flat blade? To make this choice, you must determine what you will use the knife for. You might be able to get by with a simple pocket knife, but it may not always be exactly what you need.
There are times when a serrated knife can come in pretty handy. Keep reading to discover why it may be more beneficial to have a survival knife with serrations.
When Do You Need a Serrated Knife Blade?
A serrated knife will often do the trick quite nicely if you are out in the wild and need a makeshift hacksaw. It acts much like a saw because the teeth are extremely sharp. The serrations also give you the friction necessary for specific tasks that may be more difficult with a straight-edged blade.
Let’s say you need to cut some branches to build a fire. A knife with a straight blade isn’t going to be much help. On the other hand, a serrated knife will easily cut through branches just as a saw would, so you can get that fire started and stay warm.
Serrated blades are also great for cutting through rope; they will do this much faster than a knife without serrations. Here’s something else to consider. Heaven forbid this should happen, but if you end up in a motor vehicle accident and need to get out of the car quickly, a serrated knife can cut through the seat belt in record time.
So, having one of these knives with you at all times can be handy, not just while you are out in the woods.
Let’s look at a few more reasons why it is a good idea to have a serrated knife with you when you are in the wild.
Food
A regular pocket knife can come in handy when gathering food, but it may not always be the best choice. A knife with a serrated edge is a better option if you are hunting, and you can even use it to make more hunting tools. For instance, you can cut a spear from a branch with a serrated knife and then use the knife to sharpen the end to a point.
Shelter
What would you do if you were stuck in the wilderness and had to spend the night? If this wasn’t planned, chances are you don’t have a tent with you, so you will need to find shelter for the night. You can use a serrated survival knife to cut through saplings, small tree limbs, and bark, which you can use to create an adequate shelter.
In such a case, it is also unlikely that you will have any rope. But you don’t have to worry about that if you have a survival knife with a serrated edge. You can use the knife to cut through plant fibers and then use the fibers to create your own rope. Then, use the rope to construct your much-needed shelter.
Fire
You must build a fire to stay warm and act as a beacon if lost in the woods. As we mentioned, using a serrated knife is best for cutting small branches that you can use for your fire. You can also create fire-building tools with your serrated survival knife.
Medical Emergencies
Do you know what to do if you are in an emergency situation while out in the wilderness? For instance, maybe you have cut yourself. You can use your serrated edge knife to make small incisions to draw out any infection. You can also use it to cut fabric to make bandages and slings that will work until you can get help.
Benefits of Serrated Survival Knives
There are many reasons to have a serrated knife while in the wilderness. For instance, did you know that some survival knives, including those with serrated edges, have compasses? You can use your knife as a navigational aid if you become lost. Now, let’s look at some more benefits of serrated survival knives.
Maintenance
You can get away with much less maintenance for a serrated knife than a plain edge.
Sharpness
Because the serrated edges stay sharp for a long time, chances are you won’t need to sharpen this knife as much as you would have to sharpen a regular knife.
Downward Cuts
A knife with a serrated edge works much better for downward cuts than a flat-bladed knife.
What about a Double-Sided Survival Knife?
There is another option you may want to consider, which will give you the best of both worlds: a double-sided survival knife. This type of knife will provide you with a flat-edged blade and a serrated edge. So, you will be able to use one knife for all kinds of different tasks.
If you think you need to carry two knives with you for various tasks, you may want to invest in a double-sided survival knife. This way, you won’t have to spend nearly as much money and won’t have to carry any extra, unnecessary gear.
Sharpening a Serrated Survival Knife
Like all knives, a serrated survival knife must be as sharp as possible to get the most out of it. This means that there will be a time when you will need to sharpen your knife. There are several different tools you can use for this purpose, including:
Oil Stones
You can get natural or abrasives made with silicon carbide or aluminum oxide. Another option is a coarse stone that can help eliminate any buildup on the knife.
Water Stones
This type of stone uses water instead of oil as a lubricant. They are cheaper than oil stones and actually cut faster.
Diamond Stones
Diamonds are among the hardest surfaces in the world, so it only makes sense that they are used for sharpening tools. A diamond stone has microscopic diamond crystals that are bonded to steel plates. The diamond grit is ideal for cleaning and sharpening serrated knives.
Ceramic Stones
A ceramic stone can help you get sharp edges on your serrated knife. These stones will last a long time and are nearly as durable as oil stones.
Final Takeaway
Whenever possible, it is always a good idea to have a flat-edged knife and a serrated-edge knife with you when out in the wilderness. Depending on your needs, a serrated edge may be what you should have.
Or, if you really want both types of knives, choose one with a flat edge and a double edge, so you get a two-in-one tool.