subject: Serrated Knives [print this page] A serrated knife blade has a cutting edge that has many small points of contact with the material being cut. Since the point of contact is less, the applied force is concentrated at each point of contact and angle of the material being cut.
Knives with serrated blade make it best for cutting things that are hard on the outside and soft on the inside (such as bread or tomatoes) that might otherwise be ruined by a slightly dull knife with a plain, flat-ground edge. They are also particularly good on fibrous foods like celery or cabbage. Serrated knives cut much better than plain edge blade knives when dull, so they may last longer without sharpening (some serrated blades claim that dont need sharpening.) Cuts made with a serrated blade are typically less smooth and precise than cuts made with a smooth blade.
Knives are manufactured out of a number of kinds of material. High carbon stainless steel is the most expensive and will last the longest. These knives will not stain and hold a sharp edge longer than other steel kinds. Ceramic knives are fairly new. These knives don't require sharpening for years. Serrated blades are extra challenging to sharpen using a whetstone or rotary sharpener than a smooth blade; even so, they can be easily sharpened with a diamond sharpening rod. Since they require specialized equipment and a diverse technique in order to resharpen them, some professional chefs recommend buying at least a moderately-priced serrated knife built of high-carbon stainless steel, as these knives will eventually become dull and have to be replaced or resharpened
Knife handles are made of wood or a plastic composite. Both are good choices. The only difference is in cleaning and maintenance.
Knives with wood handles deteriorate a lot more quickly when cleaned within the dishwasher.
Serrated knives have become very popular as they retain their cutting edge for a long time without needing to be sharpened. Makers of hunting knives, combat knives, search and rescue knives, and other outdoors knives are also adopting the serrated blade. Serrated blades have the advantage that they can cut through almost anything quicker than a straight edge blade.
