Knives with serrated edges.........

[theoldlegend]

Is it possible to sharpen knives with serrated edges? They're sort of scalloped on one side and serrated on the other.

Wife has a couple in the kitchen and they're getting pretty blunt. They've been good but I think their time has come. I could use the stone but obviously that will take away the serration.

She hates the idea of having good sharp knives for some reason.


TOL

[PinHead]

I know why she hates good sharp knives..looks at knife..looks at you..shakes her head and thinks "not sharp enough".

but..stick em on the stone..you won't know unless you try and nothing to lose..worse case scenario..you have a blunt knife which is what you have now.

[diabolical]

I have done a few with a buffing wheel on a bench grinder.

[tunaticer]

Only put the stone on the side without the scallops and draw into the edge with the knife, they pick up the edge much quicker than normal knives. Go too far though and you are left with a feathered edge that will not sharpen.

[banshee]

As Diabolical has said,a heavey cutting compound and a buffing wheel on a bench grinder,I'm led to believe that some Boot Makers will do this for you.
Alternatively you can go 'all out' and get a Spyderco sharpening system specialy designed for just these sorts of knives,these however may be hard to find as the govt/customs have reinterpreted the law which has led to Spyderco (and all other one handed opening folders) being a prohibited import.Unfortunstely this has led to Zen (the imoporter) droping the entire Spyderco line.

[oldboot]

most of the serated knives are pretty cheap and nasty, so you have not got much to lose.

If it is the type with a shaped edge on one side and machined flat edge on the other....just a flat sharpening on the flat edge only is all you can do.

if it is shaped bothe sides you have nothing left to do but grind the serations off and turn it into a real knife...I've done this to a couple...some hold a good edge, some dont..... it depends on the metal used.

Some of these.....( but wait there is more) knives have some sort of serface hardening treatment but the underlying metal can be a bit soft.

cheers

[2manylures]

Send an email to this mob theoldlegend, they're the US dealer for Shun knives and offer a lifetime sharpening service for Shun knives.

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/customer-service/email-us/?cm_type=fnav

Some of the Shun range are serrated and contrary to what oldboot says are very expensive.

[Stik-ugly]

Try looking around for a Gerber Pocket Diamond Sharpener .I have one and they are great , it has a half round side for sharpening serrated knives a flat side for ordinary blades and has a groove for hooks .It is the size of a pen and the sharpening stone slides in and out for sharpening or for storage in your pocket. I've had it for years and is a great tool.

[Noelm]

except for cutting through wood or frozen stuff, I can't see much use for a serrated knife myself, but that's just me I guess, plenty use them.

[oldboot]

Send an email to this mob theoldlegend, they're the US dealer for Shun knives and offer a lifetime sharpening service for Shun knives.

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/customer-service/email-us/?cm_type=fnav

Some of the Shun range are serrated and contrary to what oldboot says are very expensive.


I have no doubt that there are some very high quality serated knives out there....most top quality survival and yachting knoves have at least a serated portion......if you want to cut rope a straight blade simply not up to it.

BUT

The majority of serated knives on the market are cheap nasty rubbish.....because the majority of consumers ca not sharpen a knife and a blunt serated knive will still sort of butcher its way thru most things in the kitchen...where a similarly blunt straight balde would be near useless.

cheers

[FishHunter]

Look up Lansky sharpeners. I have had my set for nearly 10 years now and it still keeps all my knives shaving sharp

[trueblue]

most serrated knives can be sharpened with a small round file on one side, and a quick grind down the other side

[theoldlegend]

Thanks for all the suggestions everybody. I'll attack 'em this arvo. As others have said, if I bugger 'em up, then who cares?

I got wife a fishing set of knives and have got a very good edge on them for her, but she hates using them. Too sharp, she reckons.


TOL

[Noelm]

just while we are talking about knives, I guess most have seen the ceramic chefs knives? well the other day I was wandering around while killing some time and saw some "cheap" ones, a bit small (about 20cm long inc handle) but they are as sharp as buggery and only cost $6, so I got a couple to just leave "hiding" in the boat, just in case I need a knife for something or I drop one over the side (I have been known to do that with things) and being plastic/ceramic, they will never ever rust, even if they fall into the bilge or something and go missing for a time.

[theoldlegend]

Where did you see them Noel?

TOL

[Noelm]

at a kitchen "gadget" shop, I think it was called my home or something like that, so I guess seeing as they had them, they are probably made by the millions in China or somewhere, I will see if I can see a brand on them.

[stue2]

Just watch em if you drop em. They dont always stay in one piece.

I sharpen serrated knives on the flat side with a small angle only then a light steel.

Have sharpened a filleting knife on one side as well. works ok untill you decide to go the other way then grabs on everything.

[Lovey80]

Most serrated knives will be flat on one side with the serration's scolloped in the other side like a moon shaped chisel when you look at them closely. If that is the type you have you need to keep the flat side flat (leave it alone altogether) like you would a chisel and work on the scollops on the front side.

For normal knives see my review on the edgepro system

[stue2]

For normal knives see my review on the edgepro systemToday 06:49 PM

Where do i find the review?

[theoldlegend]

Well, I gave one of wife's serrated kitchen knives a go with the oil stone yesterday afternoon.

The result? A stunning failure, I would say. Quietly slipped it back in the drawer and I'll deny all knowledge of what happened. After all, she doesn't know I did it.


TOL

[stue2]

Well, I gave one of wife's serrated kitchen knives a go with the oil stone yesterday afternoon.

The result? A stunning failure, I would say. Quietly slipped it back in the drawer and I'll deny all knowledge of what happened. After all, she doesn't know I did it.


TOL


Still good for cheese.

how did you try?

[finding_time]

Most serrated knives will be flat on one side with the serration's scolloped in the other side like a moon shaped chisel when you look at them closely. If that is the type you have you need to keep the flat side flat (leave it alone altogether) like you would a chisel and work on the scollops on the front side.

For normal knives see my review on the edgepro system

I actually purchased a edgepro system after your review Lovey!!;) Cheers for that did they pass on the commision???

If you use the edgepro system you actually sharpen the flat side!! See the vidoe on the site regards sharpening serrated knives! see below link!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCqby2dO3_Q&feature=player_embedded

[stue2]

Cheers finding time, thats how I was shown but now I think I will need one of these as well.

Stu