The plain edge will work better for applications like shaving, skinning an apple, skinning a deer. All those applications involve either mostly push cuts, or the need for extreme control. Serrations work really well on things like tough rope or wood, where the serrations bite through quickly.
Cons: Serrated blades, while better at cutting hard materials, are less precise then plain edges and can tear the object being sliced. Serrations are also significantly more difficult to sharpen.
Straight edge is much easier to sharpen, serrated edge usually keeps the edge sharp a bit longer. Cutting performace for some materials can be better on serrated edge but a good sharp straight edge will be just as effective.
These knives excel at cutting through tough or crusty surfaces. Whether you're slicing bread, tomatoes, or citrus fruits, the serrations grip the surface, allowing for clean cuts without squishing or tearing. Knives with serrated blades tend to require less maintenance compared to plain edge knives.
Plain edge blades excel at 'push cut', where you push the edge against the thing you're trying to cut. Good examples of push cuts are when you're shaving with a razor or whittling a piece of wood. Serrated edges excel at slicing cuts, where you drag the edge across the object you're trying cut.
The plain edge will work better for applications like shaving, skinning an apple, skinning a deer. All those applications involve either mostly push cuts, or the need for extreme control. Serrations work really well on things like tough rope or wood, where the serrations bite through quickly.
Serrated knives are versatile tools that excel in a variety of kitchen tasks, from slicing bread to cutting through tough-skinned produce. Their unique design allows for efficient cutting with minimal pressure, making them indispensable for both home cooks and professional chefs.
A sharp serrated knife will also prevent you from squishing and damaging delicate foods. Serrated knives are excellent for making long, straight knife cuts through larger items, but they aren't ideal for slicing small foods, peeling fruits or mincing ingredients.
Some choose serrated steak knives because of the illusion of sharpness. They believe serrated edges make for a sharper blade and will stay sharp longer than straight-edged blades since the edges between the scallops never touch their plates (while essentially sawing through their food).
Blade Material
Steak knives are most commonly made with stainless steel blades that are easy to clean and resistant to corrosion but stay reasonably sharp.
It also stays sharper for longer than your other knives (since less of its blade hits your cutting board), and its jagged edge allows it to slice effortlessly through produce and crusty baguettes alike. But, like your other kitchen tools, a serrated knife can become dull over time.
Non serrated knives do a much better job helping you make a nice juicy steak. Since the blade's edge on non serrated steak knives doesn't rip and tear through the meat as much, you will find that non serrated steak knives require much less trauma on the meat and help keep fluid in the meat when eating.
In general, the serrated edge will work better than the plain edge for slicing cuts, especially through hard or tough surfaces, where the serrations tend to grab and cut the surface easily.
Serrated edges are blades that have some kind of toothed or saw-like edge ground into the cutting surface. These are intended to be used much like a small saw with a back-and-forth motion. They're great for cutting through belts and ropes, fabric and various other textured materials.
You probably also have to apply a lot of pressure, running the risk of crushing the tomato. But a serrated knife with all the little teeth? Those teeth grab onto a tomato's thin skin and cut straight through rather than slipping off the side or squishing the tomato with unnecessary pressure.
Serrated blades tend to rip and tear the meat rather than slice it cleanly, leading to more juice loss during cutting. Additionally, non-serrated knives are generally easier to sharpen than serrated blades.
Our overall favorite steak knives are the super sharp, well-made Victorinox 7.7240. 4 Grand Maître Steak Knife Set. For a budget-friendly pick, we liked the Messermeister Avanta 5” Fine Edge Steak Knives. In the grand scheme of kitchen gizmos and gadgets, a set of steak knives might seem, well, superfluous.
The main difference can be found when you look at the type of edge. A plain edge produces a so-called push cut, while a serrated blade leaves a pull cut. You notice the difference when you cut through a loaf of broad.
Gordon Ramsay
Ramsay likes Henckels knives. This is a German brand known for their toughness and bulky blades.
Serrated knives are mostly used to cut products with a hard outside and a softer inside. A baguette is probably the first thing you think of right now. But also other types of bread, cakes and pies can best be cut with a serrated knife.