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Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Serrated blades and Saws in Multitools




Ferfal,
I forgot to ask you, what is the purpose of the serrated blade on the Side Kick. The Wingman has scissors instead and I kind of they are more useful to cut a loose thread or tag, etc. However, I can think of a real use for the serrated blade. If I want to cut a small branch an inch or two in diameter, I can simply snap it instead of using the little blade. Other than that, what else is it good for?
Thank you.
Gallo

Serrated edges do have their uses and all other things being equal they do cut for longer time than straight edges. In the Wingman  I suppose its more likely to end up catching and cutting rope and cardboard.
There’s two reasons for this. Frist, most of the edge is within the serrations themselves. That means that only the pointy part of the serration is even in contact with the surface you’re cutting against. Second, when the material gets caught in the serration, the direction of the cutting motion back and forth is better taken advantage of.
While harder to resharpen, for rope and cord, cardboard and other more heavy duty type of material,  a serrated edge will sure last longer before needing resharpening.
For one inch diameter branches you don’t need much, but the saw in the Leatherman  Charge/Wave will cut through much more. Its not as hard as some would think.
With some patience not only do these saws cut branches, they can cut through 2”x2” and “2x4” with a small amount of effort as well.
FerFAL

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the answer. I suppose the saw blade does have it's place in a outdoors scenario where a more appropriate tool isn't available.

As far as serrated blades go, I'd imagine a slash would be more painful and traumatic than a slash with a straight edge.

Gallo

FerFAL said...

It would depend on the type of blade shape as well, besides the kind of edge it has. A razor sharp streight edge with cut more, thus cutting deeper. A recurved blade such as the kukri will cut even more becasue the blade shape directs the energy more efficiently, partially like a hatchet.

FerFAL

Anonymous said...

Saw blades do come in handy in the outdoors, much less noisy than chopping. The multi-tool models that allow you to switch out saw blades (Gerber 600 Pro, Leatherman Surge, etc.) allow you to install the best blade for the cutting need.

Have you seen the CRKT MUK (Marine Utility Knife) serrated knife, they work very well! I haven't had it that long, but it makes very short work of feed bags and the tough orange cordage that wraps hay bales. Very good knife and very inexpensive too.

Like the non serrated Svord Peasant blade and Moras, the price tag is way below the quality - a good buy in my book! Check them out if you have a chance.

Anonymous said...

When talking about a serrated edge, remember that the cutting "length" of the blade is actually longer because of the serrations.
And I have used the saw on my Leatherman Super Tool 200 to cut notches in 2X4's while installing scurity wiring in overheads - I will admit that I was too lazy to go down and find a saw...

Anonymous said...

I have a Leatherman Surge with the saw blade. I have cut a 2x4 in half. Can it cut hardwood? Nope, but it'll cut a common lumber 2x4 no problem. Anything smaller than it will cut, it has very aggressive teeth.