Serrated Blade vs Straight (as in Cutco) On Big Game

[K Dill]

I recall reading on here about the popularity of Cutco knives; specifically the 5718 or 5719 models. Both of these models are available in the DD blade which is serrated, or conventional straight blades. My questions are these:

Do you like the serrated blade? How does in perform at skinning and boning?

Any drawbacks to serrations when butchering?

What do you think of these particular knives for processing large animals like moose?

[LuJon]

I love them in the serrated edge for moose and other ungulates. I was less impresses with it on the one black bead I have done with it. The fat gummed up the serrations and made it much less effective. For bears I like the havalon piranta.

[Amigo Will]

Nicks in a blade mean poor knife care and gramps would take it away

[brav01]

Don't know about game animal hair but my serrated CUTCO knife seems to load up with the fur of furbearers pretty easy. I'll find out how it works on bears soon enough though !

[spoiled one]

It's not a cutco, but I use the serrated victorianox for most everything. One knife does two black bears and then gets used as a bait knife. Handy little blades!

[wags]

Until they come up with a way to sharpen a serrated blade I'll stick with straight blades. Like "Spoil one" pointed out though, I do use Victornox on the boat. They are a great disposable knife, I buy them in bulk.

[1Cor15:19]

I'm not much on serrated blades in general, but I've not used the Cutco serrated knife. I'll say that serrated blades can be a beast to resharpen...

[stid2677]

Love the serrated Cutco, literally wore my last one out. After sending it back to them to be resharpened they sent me a new one last time. I find the knife easily will stay sharp for three animals. I love the serrated edge have no trouble skinning with it and have skinned dozens of bears with it. Like the soft, sticky grip of the handle the orange handle has saved me from loosing it more than once. I have started using a Havalon for about everything but removing the head form the neck.

Also found a roofing blade in a lightweight utility knife handle to be unbeatable for making long cuts.

[K Dill]

Appreciate the thoughts. Steve, I thought you might weigh in with some insights. I think it was your comments from many months back that stayed in my mind.

I really do fully understand the advantages of serrations. The points actually focus pressure there, and make cutting through tough materials an easier task. Never having used serrations in a butchering job, I had to wonder: Would the serrations grab hair when making the initial skinning cuts down the back and legs? Would the serrations be "grabby" and less smooth for the actual hide pulling and skinning? Does bone contact (again, think moose) round-off or dull the serrations?

As far as sharpening....forget it. No way I am taking the time to sit and painstakingly redo this type of edge. Cutco has a forever-sharp guarantee and will sharpen the knife to factory edge at no charge. I look at this as a specialty knife...not for general use. I would use it in-season for big game chores, and then send it in later to be sharpened.

I should add that...imo...a knife's grip is almost as important as its blade. When working a moose solo, I demand a knife that does not fatigue my hand unnecessarily. A nice hand-filling and contoured grip is great. Kraton is the best thing invented, next to sliced tenderloin!

[Sambar from Oz.]

After reading about the Cutco's here I bought a straight and a d/d edge. both with orange handles.

I like both of them when working on our Sambar deer that have skin up to 1/2" thick, and as they wallow, often very gritty/muddy and capable of taking the edge off any knife extra quick.

The d/d serrated edge keeps on keeping on, it holds an edge when the straight edge needs a touch on the steel to continue use.

(BTW.......I see Havalon has a new & longer skinner knife, round 9 1/2" overall length ... blades dearer than the existing models.)

Must send my 2 Cutcos in for resharpen, the sambar season is on the go......its Winter here !

[dreamerofdreams]

Love my serrated cutco. Also love that they'll sharpen it for me!

[Sambar from Oz.]

After reading about the Cutco's here I bought a straight and a d/d edge. both with orange handles.

I like both of them when working on our Sambar deer that have skin up to 1/2" thick, and as they wallow, often very gritty/muddy and capable of taking the edge off any knife extra quick.

The d/d serrated edge keeps on keeping on, it holds an edge when the straight edge needs a touch on the steel to continue use.

(BTW.......I see Havalon has a new & longer skinner knife, round 9 1/2" overall length ... blades dearer than the existing models.)

Must send my 2 Cutcos in for resharpen, the sambar season is on the go......its Winter here !

Just to clarify prev. post....HAVALON Baracuta Blaze, 10 3/8" OAL, Blade 4 3/8", weight 3 oz.

[AK Wonderer]

The serrated Cutco is a great moose butchering knife. They are scary sharp and stay that way for a long time. A serrated Cutco combined with a Havalon or Victorinox paring knife for the detailed work and you can take on any game. I might add a third knife for fleshing if on a bear hunt.

[strangeak]

Ive had mine for almost 20 years. One one trip i used it to help butcher 12 black tail. I cut right through the rib bones slicing them off in racks. I found there is a hairline edge over the serrations that you can straighten back out from the flat side of the blade with a steel.
Last year a cutco guy came to sell me a knife, I was so impressed with my old one, I bought the whole kitchen butcher block set, a fillet knife and he threw in the serrated pocket knife and cheese knife for the wife. I grabbed my old one and cut the rope they demo with just as the new one did, then he sharpened it for me.

I guess i'm sold on them.

[MET]

I have a Cutco serrated drop point with orange handle. Last year I skinned & quartered & moose, skinned & quartered 2 black bears plus popped out their heads & paws. This year so far I have skinned & quartered & popped out the head & paws of a black bear. No problems, hasn't needed to be resharpened. Would be nice if they made a full size lock blade. I will be getting the smaller lock blade in serrated. Looking foreward to more critters.