Serrated knives can be handy to the right person, but they aren’t for everyone. If you frequently cut rope, cordage, straps, or cardboard, you can get a lot of value from an excellent serrated knife.
The market for serrated knives isn’t nearly as broad as regular EDC pocket knives, but the ones below represent a solid cross-section of the high-end, middle-of-the-line, and value-priced serrated knives out there for EDC enthusiasts.
The 15 Best Serrated Knives
Looking for a great serrated knife? Any of the best serrated knives on our list would make a great addition to your kitchen or your everyday carry.
1. Benchmade Griptilian Serrated Drop Point
The Benchmade Griptilian is a rugged, no-nonsense folding knife that consistently appears at the top of best EDC knife lists. It’s simple yet elegantly functional, with a 3.45″ drop point blade serrated edge and a seriously grippy nylon handle.
It doesn’t come with a full serrated option, but the combo blade offers an excellent compromise for those looking for an all-around EDC utility knife. It provides a needle-sharp point with a razor-sharp CPM-S30V carbon steel plain edge plus over an inch of utility serrations on the bottom of the blade.
The Benchmade Griptilian is one of the best all-around pocket folders you could ask for. It’s pricey, sure, but you get what you pay for, and with basic maintenance this bad boy will last a lifetime.
Specifications:
- Blade Length: 3.45 in / 87.6 mm
- Blade Steel: CPM-S30V
- Weight: 3.88 oz / 110 g
Manual knife that can be opened and closed single-handedly. Stainless steel blade is tough, rust-resistant, and holds an edge. Lightweight design and handle grips make it comfortable to hold and use. Drop-point utility blade style and all-around functionality make it ideal for everyday use, outdoor activities, and even tactical applications.
2. Spyderco Atlantic Salt Rust-Free Serrated
The Spyderco Atlantic Salt is the serrated knife for anglers, boaters, and anyone else looking for a solid utility folder safe to bring out on the water. It uses H1-Steel, a specialized nitrogen-based blade steel designed to offer maximum corrosion resistance without sacrificing sharpness or durability.
The Atlantic Salt is a maritime variant of the wildly popular Spyderco Rescue series and offers 3.68 in of serrated blade for cutting ropes, cords, straps, and anything in between. It’s a powerhouse of a utility knife with a highly textured FRN handle and an ambidextrous titanium pocket clip.
The Spyderco Atlantic Salt is just about the perfect serrated knife to take fishing or on an open ocean kayaking trip.
Specifications:
- Blade Length: 3.68 in / 93.42 mm
- Blade Steel: H1-Steel
- Weight: 2.75 oz / 77.96 g
H1-Steel which is a precipitation-hardened steel containing nitrogen which cannot rust. Textured handle with a Volcano Grip pattern. Hollow-ground blade is available in SpyderEdge offering remarkable cutting performance in and around fresh and saltwater. Completely ambidextrous and utterly impervious to corrosion. Overall length of 8.18."
3. Chris Reeves Sebenza 21 Serrated
Chris Reeves Knives makes some of the most beautiful ultra-premium knives in the world. Their flagship Sebenza has a single goal: to craft the best pocket knife in the world. Every aspect of its design and manufacture is carried out with perfect precision, the highest quality materials, and loving attention to detail.
That commitment to quality shows in the gorgeous styling, buttery smooth opening, and perfect feel of the Sebenza serrated in your hand.
The Chris Reeves Sebenza is undeniably a status knife. You buy it to own a perfectly made knife, sure, but also so you can show your buddies that you’ve got a legit Chris Reeves Knife. The price reflects that, coming in at more than double the cost of our other top serrated knives.
Specifications:
- Blade Length: 3.63 in / 92 mm
- Blade Steel: CPM S35VN
- Weight: 4.69 oz / 133 g
Dedicated Right or Left-handed orientation. Reeve Integral Lock with Ceramic Ball Interface. Stonewashed CPM S45VN Drop Point Blade at 60-62 RC. 6AL4V Titanium Handles. Sandblasted (pictured) or Glass blasted handle finishes. Off-set Clip Design. Overall Length: 8.40" (213.36mm) / 6.98" (177.29mm). Weight: 4.7oz (133g) / 3.0oz (85g).
4. CRKT Ignitor with Veff Serrations
The CRKT Ignitor takes a new and exciting approach to serrated knives with its patented Veff Serrations. The Veff pattern uses angled teeth designed to be better able to slice through rope, cord, and cardboard and easier to sharpen than traditional triple-point serrations.
We tried it out and can attest that it cuts through thick rope, paracord, and sturdy cardboard with zero resistance. We could even get through a half-inch thick vine in our backyard in a snap. The textured G10 handle is both stylish and offers a solid grip, so you can put the Ignitor to work without fear of slippage.
Specifications:
- Blade Length: 3.38 in / 85.9 mm
- Blade Steel: 8Cr14MoV
- Weight: 3.5 oz / 99.2 g
Outburst assisted opening deploys the blade fast. Safety integrated thumbstud prevents accidental opening. Veff Serrations provide superior cutting power of rope and straps. Limited Lifetime Warranty covers any defects in materials or workmanship, see company site for details
5. Kershaw Blur Black Serrated
The Kershaw Blur was designed with serious users in mind. We’re talking military, firefighters, and law enforcement, so it’s more than tough enough for everyday use. The design is durable, light, and uses a beautifully textured grip for a firm hold.
Kershaw implemented its SpeedSafe assisted opening system to allow fast and reliable one-handed opening right out of the box. With the reversible pocket clip you can customize your carry position for either tip up or tip down, depending on your preferences.
The combo blade is made from 14C28N blade steel and can power through rope or straps without a problem. It’s a bit smaller than the serrations on some combo blades but overall gets the job done.
Specifications:
- Blade Length: 3.4 in / 86.4 mm
- Blade Steel: 14C28N
- Weight: 3.9 oz / 110.6 g
SpeedSafe Assisted Opening for easy and quick one-handed, safe blade engagement. Reversible pocketclip allows for a versatile carrying. Secure liner lock secures blade in place and gives the knife a slim, sleek and stylish design. Trac-Tec inserts on the handle ensure a quality grip. Everyday carry knife for anyone who needs a reliable knife is needed to cut through fibrous material like wood, rope, or cord.
6. Gerber EVO Serrated Knife
Gerber makes a wide range of knives and blade products, with the EVO one of their most popular lines of EDC pocket folders. The serrated version keeps everything that makes the Gerber EVO great and adds in a 3.43 in titanium-dioxide coated combo blade for added cutting utility.
It’s a lightweight, durably built, and reliable serrated knife that offers a ton of value for the EDC enthusiast. The blade steel isn’t premium, and the fittings, lock, and opening mechanism are pretty basic, but overall it’s a well-made, affordable serrated pocket knife that gets the job done.
Specifications:
- Blade Length: 3.42 in / 87.1 mm
- Blade Steel: 440 stainless steel
- Weight: 2.8 oz / 71.1 g
Designed with a series of seven slanting oval openings in the anodized aluminum handle, it’s one of the lightest folding knives. 440 stainless steel fine-edge blade that's coated with titanium nitride for corrosion resistance. There's a thumb stud for easy one-handed opening, and a liner lock and finger guard for an extra measure of safety.
7. SOG Escape
The SOG Escape has a strong focus on emergency preparedness. It combines a glass breaker, strap cutter, wire cutter, and drop point combo blade for a solid mix of functionality. It’s not exactly a handsome knife, going for a function forward style, but it gets the job done and is an excellent option for first responders or others who want to be prepared for an emergency.
The anodized aluminum grippy handle has a textured pattern and the blade locks securely in place for safe use. It’s got an ambidextrous pocket clip that allows for blade up or down carry wherever you like.
Specifications:
- Blade Length: 3.4 in / 86.4 mm
- Blade Steel: 9Cr18MoV
- Weight: 4.8 oz / 136.1 g
Quick open tactical knife that serves well as a rescue knife for SWAT team, paramedics, and firefighters. Features a groove for cutting cords, lines and seatbelts; includes a glass breaker, wire stripper, and extra line cutter blade under the pocket knife handle. Lockback mechanism secures the blade while deployed. 3.4 inches long with a partially serrated clip point blade. 4.8 ounce. Made of hard-anodized 6061-T6 aluminum.
8. Kershaw Leek Serrated
The Kershaw Leek represents a happy middle ground between the high-end (and high dollar) serrated knives at the top of our list and the value-priced segment of the market. The Leek combines higher-end features and quality materials with a more approachable price.
Its modified drop point combo blade is Cerakote coated for added corrosion resistance and comes razor sharp and ready to slice through both delicate tasks and heavy sawing. The stainless steel comfortable handle and allows ambidextrous carry with the adjustable pocket clip.
If you’re looking for a solid, reliable EDC serrated knife at a reasonable price, it’s hard to beat the Kershaw Leek.
Specifications:
- Blade Length: 3 in / 76 mm
- Blade Steel: 14C28N Sandvik
- Weight: 3 oz / 85 g
Versatile 3” modified drop-point blade with partial serration. Crafted with one of the world’s highest performing knife steels for corrosion resistance and edge retention. Ceramic based finish coat enhances corrosion resistance and adds a stealthy matte-black finish. Stainless steel handle, ambidextrous speed Safe Assisted opening system, frame lock, tip-lock, Reversible pocket Clip and lanyard Hole. Lifetime warranty.
9. Opinel No. 12 Serrated Folding Knife
Opinel has been making stylish, affordable, and high-quality folding knives since 1890. The Opinel No. 12 Serrated combines the iconic round wooden handle and Virobloc ring lock with a fully serrated blade.
One thing to keep in mind is that the No. 12 doesn’t have utility serrations. The No. 12 is closer to a folding bread knife than a fisherman’s net knife, but we honestly love it.
It fills a niche we didn’t know existed and does a fantastic job of it. If you’re someone who loves a good picnic, the Opinel No. 12 Serrated is one of the best folding knives out there to throw into your kit.
Specifications:
- Blade Length: 4.7 in / 120 cm
- Blade Steel: 12C27 Sandvik
- Weight: 3.67 oz / 104 g
Full handed grip. Serrated blade edge, great for firm breads, tough rinds, and much more. Perfect size for agriculture and hunting. 4.7inch blade (12cm), open length 11 inches (28cm). Virobloc ring offers a unique and easy to use safety mechanism for locking the blade. The Opinel folding knife has been adopted worldwide and is recognized as a design icon.
10. Gerber Sharkbelly
The Gerber Sharkbelly is a slim and lightweight serrated pocket folder designed specifically for EDC. It weighs just over 2 oz and provides a utility-focused sheepsfoot combo blade with easy-to-sharpen flat top serrations. Believe it or not, you can put a decent edge on these serrations using a standard whetstone.
The grippy handle looks slippy at first glance but was surprisingly tacky and easy to keep hold of. Gerber’s patented Sharkskin grip texture offers a stylish yet highly functional grip that completes a solid, reasonably priced serrated EDC knife.
Specifications:
- Blade Length: 3.25 in / 82.6 mm
- Blade Steel: 420HC
- Weight: 2.3 oz / 65.2 g
Sharkskin grip uni-directional scales additional traction when in hand. The lightweight (2.3 oz), slim profile makes it a comfortable everyday carry knife. 420Hc sheepsfoot blade with flat top serrations, that are easy to sharpen with a flat stone sharpener. Scratch resistant pocket clip provides a tip down, low ride carry. Blade Length: 3.25."
11. Spyderco Ladybug 3 / Ladybug 3 Salt
The Spyderco Ladybug 3 is a light, pocket-friendly serrated knife designed to be as carryable as possible. It packs in a 1.93 in serrated blade available in either VG-10 or a highly-corrosion resistance H-1 stainless steel for maritime use.
It’s so tiny and light that Spyderco doesn’t even include a pocket clip, going instead for a lanyard/keychain hole so you can attach it to your keys or otherwise carry it on your person. The SpyderEdge serrated blade powers through rope, straps, netting, and anything else you need to cut without the slightest trouble.
The Spyderco Ladybug 3 Salt is the perfect secondary knife to carry. It’s tiny and weighs practically nothing yet offers a solid serrated blade that adds potent cutting capability to your EDC.
Specifications:
- Blade Length: 1.93 in
- Blade Steel: H-1 Stainless Steel Blade / VG-10
- Weight: 0.6 oz / 18 g
Spyderco Ladybugs come in a diverse collection of handle and blade materials. Small, innocuous, cut like the devil, carry well on a keychain. Textured fiberglass reinforced nylon/glass polymer makes the high-strength knife handles. Two-step serration pattern increases the cutting edge's surface area by up to 24%. Closed Length: 2.48 in, Overall Length: 4.41 in, Blade Length:1.93 in, Blade Steel: H-1, Grind: Hollow
12. Leatherman Rebar with Serrated Knife
We usually don’t put multitools on lists of pocket knives, but in the case of serrated knives the Leatherman Rebar makes the cut and then some. It packs 17 different tools, including two knife blades and a bonafide saw.
The combination of 2.9 in plain edge and sheepsfoot serrated is a potent mix. That’s particularly true given that the Rebar weighs only 6.7 oz and can be easily carried in your pocket, in a bag, or in the included belt pouch. When you consider that the Rebar is also one of Leatherman’s most affordably priced multitools you see the attraction.
It’s not going to be the serrated knife solution for everyone, but we think it’s a good idea to at least consider whether a reliable, ruggedly built multitool might not work for you.
Specifications:
- Blade Length: 5.2 in
- Blade Steel: 420HC
- Weight: 190 g
The Rebar features all-locking tools, 100% stainless steel construction and removable wire/hard-wire cutters. Includes knives, pliers, screwdrivers, wire cutters, an electrical crimper, a wire stripper, bottle and can openers, a file, a saw, an awl and a ruler. Compact, lightweight and made for just about any job around the house or job site, your Rebar is always within reach and ready to go. 25-year warranty.
13. CIVIVI Cogent
CIVIVI has been doing some cool stuff with knife styling and design, and the CIVIVI Cogent is no exception. It gives you a 3.47 in partially serrated clip point blade in a pair of stylish G10 scales available in four colors.
We’re partial to the Natural color, a vibrant turquoise-esque shade, but they all look seriously sharp and provide a firm grip while you’re using the knife. When you add in the ambidextrous deep carry clip, ceramic ball bearing pivot, and rock solid liner lock, you wind up with a handsome, reliably rugged pocket folder that offers just enough serration to get the job done.
Specifications:
- Blade Length: 3.47 in / 88.1 mm
- Blade Steel: 14C28N
- Weight: 3.82 oz / 108.3 g
Partially serrated clip point 14C28N blade. Lightweight G10 handle. Flipper and button lock opener. Liner lock mechanism. Caged ceramic ball bearing pivot. Deep carry pocket clip for everyday carry. Lifetime guarantee.
14. Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops SWA24S
Smith & Wesson makes a broad range of first responder and tactical gear, and the Extreme Ops SWA24S shows this pedigree. It’s one of the most tactical looking serrated knives on our list, with a molded aluminum handle, clip point combo blade, and aggressive knurling on the spine of the blade.
If that’s the look you’re going for with your EDC you’ll love the SWA24S. It’s solidly built, though given its very approachable price point you shouldn’t expect the kind of materials or gee-whiz features as from a blade ten or even twenty times as expensive.
Specifications:
- Blade Length: 3.1 in / 78.7 mm
- Blade Steel: 7Cr17MoV
- Weight: 3.5 oz / 99.2 g
Made with a black high carbon stainless-steel partially serrated clip point blade. Quick and easy access with the pocket clip, finger flipper and ambidextrous thumb knobs making it ideal for everyday carry. The black aluminum handle comes with jimping and a pocket clip. 7.1 inch (18 cm) overall length with a blade length of 3.1 inches (7.9 cm) and a weight of 3.5 ounces.
15. Victorinox Classic Swiss Paring Knife
While not your usual EDC knife, the Victorinox Classic Swiss Paring Knife undeniably has a niche among serrated knives. It’s a lightweight folding bread and paring knife perfect for picnics, fish fries, and anything in between.
It’s not rugged, not for utility use, and it definitely isn’t tactical, but it offers a great way to cut bread, fruit, vegetables, and anything else you need to make your outdoor feast a success. As an added kicker, the darn thing is even dishwasher safe, making care and cleaning an absolute breeze.
Specifications:
- Blade Length: 4.3 in / 109.2 mm
- Blade Steel: (Not applicable, think table knife steel)
- Weight: 1.5 oz / 42.52 g
A superior and lightweight Swiss made knife with a high-carbon stainless steel edge. Easy to clean, extremely sharp and the prefect gift for everyday use or the culinary professional. Contemporary, textured handle with a non-slip grip -- even when wet. Hygienic, dishwasher safe, slip-resistant and NSF approved.
Who Needs a Serrated Knife?
Serrated knives can be a divisive subject in the EDC community. Many purists claim they’re unnecessary and do little more than add needless complexity to maintaining and sharpening a good knife. Others see a lot of value in them for specific tasks.
We’ll be blunt here, serrated knives aren’t for everyone. They’re more specialized than a plain blade knife, but they can be essential for specific kinds of cutting tasks. For your everyday carry, it’s usually smarter to carry non-serrated blades with smooth cutting surfaces.
A serrated EDC knife can be invaluable if you frequently cut rope or other cordage, break down cardboard boxes, or otherwise need to cut through tough fibers and similar materials. While a serrated edge can become your favorite knife, if you’re looking for a jack-of-all-trades pocket folder, you’ll likely get more value from a plain edge.
Naturally, every kitchen needs a serrated knife among its kitchen knives for various purposes. Whether you’re cutting loaves of bread, ripe tomatoes, or perfectly cooked stakes, you need a quality knife with sharp edges and an ergonomic handle to make clean slices. A dull knife won’t do anything for those crusty breads and rustic loaves! Serrated bread knives with sharp teeth are a must-have for any kitchen.
Best Serrated Knives Final Thoughts
Serrated knives fulfill a vital niche among EDC knives. If you spend a lot of time on the water or need to frequently cut rope, cordage, straps, or cardboard, adding one to your kit is a good move.
Picking up a combination blade with partial serrations and partial plain edge is a happy medium. It gives you a plain edge for basic slicing tasks while also packing in robust cutting/sawing capability from the serrations, whether you’re working through loaves of bread of rope. And as always, try to pick up a knife with a lifetime warranty. It’s always best to buy from companies who stick by their products.
Need a professional knife sharpener for your serrated knives to give them a razor-sharp edge? We recommend the Lansky Knife Sharpener. They have models for all types of knives, but their serrated sharpener is fantastic.
