Serrations and waves
On sakhome.com I have discussed that where the serrations are placed on the blade can influence the philosophy of use. Serrations or waves are excellent
for cutting rope, webbing and belts.
Serrated edges can like a plain edge knife have different edge angles for cutting tasks and depending on blade thickness and steel.
Waves
or serrations can also be adjusted in more than the edge angle. They can have variations in depth and width + the angle can be tilted forward on the blade. In other words instead of a 90 degree you can use a 50 degree angle for serrations. Without a doubt
different designs on them can influence the cutting abilities and make it cut materials with less saw motion.
"Follow the shapes on the already created edges"
In the hand the blade with cut sections that can be waves and serrations will have different angles depending on how the handle design is.
These edges will be more durable and require less sharpening between
maintenance.
Today it is possible to use a single tapered sharpening rod for most serrated edges. That said I will show one system that I recently got. It is designed by Tom Veff for CRKT for the sharpening of Veff
serrations. Not only is this a genius system it will make it possible to do a lot more than just sharpening the Veff serrations. It got a 600 grit surface that is perfect for most sharpening tasks today. It can be used for leather punches, most types of serrations,
plain edges, fish hooks, chain-saws, scissors and garden tools.
With a file or by using the imagination you can make similar serrations with materials you can get most places.
What I like with this design is that it is a durable, strong and well thought through product that allows you to experiment with edges and designs. It is possible to created serrations that are wavy or adjusted with different designs for the cutting
abilities.
I do prefer when sharpening plain edge knives that the width of the flat sharpening section is greater. That said this is a complete system and it can be brought along to be used for practically everything
in the outdoors or at home to put it so.
Because this system is made in metal, with the diamond 600 grit surface you get much control and the handle increase the safety and control. It is a complete system. There
are set sections on the rods for the different size of the serrations. It is a not like the types that is gradually becoming thicker towards the handle. On this it is set by different sections and by doing so you will get a better precision on the edges.
By using diamond stones like this you use very light pressure to light pressure pretty much always when you are sharpening. This is the clue for most types of sharpening systems and devices that you use little pressure. The
advantage with diamond coated stones is that you can use them dry and that you can use them in all directions. When you use fine water paper around a round device the paper can be cut. You use it in one direction to avoid cutting the paper.
Tom Veff experiments, invents and make serrations with abilities that are better cutters.
The design on the Victorinox wavy edges are designed for several materials.
I have noticed over the years that serrated edges can snag or get stuck into the material you cut. One of the ideas with such edges is to cut difficult materials that a plain edge would
get trouble with. In most cases the waves will cut, rip and be used in a sawing motion. With the Veff serration you get more intelligent cutting abilities on rope, webbing and belt without so many snags. It is very interesting in deed. For sure i will do some
experimenting to learn more.
By using different patterns on them it is possible that you can use one of the more distinct serrations to cut a single material alone. It is like a hooked belt cutter edge that cuts.
Or they can work together as a total for larger materials. It is cool!
From experience i learned that larger tools saves time and they require less sharpening between maintenance. For sure it looks like larger/wider
serrations also save time.
When you are sharpening the serrated or wavy edges it is smart to find the size that fit the already made edges and to follow them. By doing so you can continue to have the abilities it
is made for. It is not so that you can take the normal wavy edges and change them. By this i mean to create new shapes or designs on them. With the Veff sharp it is no problem finding the size for the traditional waves. With the Veff sharp you can experiment
and take a plain edge knife and create the design you like or what fit your philosophy the best. So far i have not used it much yet. I know it is very good without any doubts. It worked very well on the wavy edge. I had it recommended to me and it will be
used.
To make different edges in a production require extra steps. In some cases there are used grinding wheels with the set design for them. How Victorinox and Wenger
made their designs i am not completely sure about. In a modern production the waves and or combination edges are made together in the process. In some productions it could be that each wave or serration is individually cut. Special purpose designs can be extra
demanding for a production.
I have sharpened by hand for many years and i like it very much. From experience i have learned how different patterns on the edges can create different abilities. If i should have a
rope tangled or a belt that is stuck i would not care about how the pattern rips and splintering with cords all over the place. If you are doing rope work then there are different factors involved. A clean cut for rope will make it easier to continue working
and require less work to prevent further splintering. Mr.Tom Veff speaks about this and it is very interesting and i have experienced this myself. It is also so that some patterns will in an emergency require less effort or force to cut.
Another factor is the strength of the patterns and edges. It is possible to create stronger patterns that also cut better with less effort.
The pattern used by Victorinox
and Wenger are very useful and durable. They have cut any material i have tested. They are made to be an "all use pattern" By this i mean on materials like belts, webbing, rope and similar materials in general. They can splinter the materials it is used on.
To avoid this you can use the plain edge for a cleaner cut if it is possible.