Serrated Edge Sharpening Guide

Serrated knives not only look intimidating, but they are also incredibly useful.  Often times they stay sharper longer, cut faster (not cleaner), and are able to cut through things a straight edge knife just can’t.  Caring for the serrated edges can be intimidating, but don’t let that stop you from purchasing awesome serrated knives like the Benchmade Barrage, or the CRKT Carson M16.    The serrated edges do require a little bit extra care and time to keep them in pristine condition, but if done properly it could easily become your new EDC.  You can’t just run these knives over a wet-stone, like you would with a regular strait edge.  No, you need to include a little extra attention to detail to make sure your knife is maintained properly.

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Luckily for you, there are plenty of options when it comes to sharpening those serrated edges properly.  Plenty of companies make knife sharpeners specifically designed for serrated edges, so you have options.  The first step you want to take is to decide which option will work best for you.  The grit’s come in extra fine, fine, coarse and sometimes even ceramic.  For your average serrated knife the fine grit will sharpen at a relatively quick rate, while still providing a good cutting edge.  The coarse grit option will have a fast sharpening rate, while the ceramic and extra fine will give those edges a nice polish.  Everyone uses their knifes differently, so you really need to decide what works best for you.  DMT offers a great, affordable sharpener in both extra fine diamond, and coarse diamondThe Gatco DCS Diamond Carbide Knife Sharpener is also a fantastic option, as it will restore a cutting edge in only 3-4 strokes, and its tapered design make it great for both straight edge and serrated knives.  Or, if you are looking for something a little more affordable, The Lanksy Fine Grit sharpening rod is the perfect choice.

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Let’s keep going and move on to step 2.  Once you have selected the sharpener that works best for you, it’s time to actually start sharpening those knives.  With your knife in one hand, and the sharpener in the other, match up the sharpener to the gullet’s (serrated edges).  Most sharpeners are tapered to fit almost any gullet.  Then begin several, light, back and forth motions, making sure to keep the sharpener at a prime sharpening angle, usually perpendicular.  Depending on which grit you use, you will begin to fill the burr on the backside of the blade, once you feel that move on to the next gullet.  Once you are comfortable that you have properly gone over each and every serration, you will want to flip the knife over and deal with the burrs you have created.  Gently grind off the burrs with an even, mellow, flat stroke.

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Once you have calmly grinded off all the burrs, you should be finished.  If you do not feel like you have sharpened it properly, repeat this process until you feel confident that you have adequately sharpened the knife.

Follow these steps and there is no doubt your new EDC could have a serrated edge, no problem.  If you have any further questions don’t hesitate to contact us in the comments below and ask.  We are always here to help.

To see more on how to sharpen a serrated knife, check out the Serrated Knife Sharpening Guide from the folks at Blade HQ.

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