Choosing Between And Maintaining Serrated Edge Knives Vs. Plain Edge Knives

Since knives first came into use many millennia ago when they were made from rock or flint, they have been an essential tool serving a multitude of purposes. Knives have been used as weapons, utensils, and a wide range of other tools. Made from various composites of metals, most often stainless steel or carbon steel, they also come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The most prominent feature of a knife is its blade, which can come serrated or plain edged. Caring for this blade can make all the difference in its effectiveness.

Invented in 1659, serrated knives have, once again, become widely popular in recent years. Essentially, serrated knives are used anytime a slice needs to be made. As opposed to push cuts, slicing cuts are performed by dragging the edge of a knife across an object. For instance, when cutting a tomato, slicing cuts are made. Experiment cutting a tomato with a plain-edge knife vs. a serrated blade and you will notice the benefits of a serrated blade immediately. When push cuts are needed, plain-edge knives perform better than serrated knives. For example, when peeling an apple, you’re pushing the edge of the knife underneath the skin of the fruit. Straight-edge knives work better for this type of paring, and for chopping.

In general, as far as using knives for food, serrated knives work well for bread, and delicate foods like tomatoes. A straight-edge knife works better for foods that will not become damaged by the process of slicing, chopping, and dicing.

When it comes to maintaining your set of knives, the straight-edge knives are generally easier to care for. Even though they must be sharpened more often, they are far easier to sharpen than serrated knives. In fact, it is highly recommended to have your serrated knives sharpened by a professional knife sharpener.

Since serrated knives require professional sharpening, it pays off to take extra care with them so that they maintain their edges for longer periods of time. Avoid putting serrated knives in the dishwasher. Dishwashing detergent can dull and weaken the edges of serrated blades. Instead, wash them by hand using a mild soap.

If you plan on sharpening your knives on your own, purchase quality sharpening tools. Carefully follow the directions that come with them to avoid damaging or unnecessarily wearing down the blades of your knives.

By: Danny Sweeney

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