If you had the choice between a serrated edged knife and a smooth edged blade, and you were stranded in the wilderness, hungry, exhausted, and alone, which one of the two types of blades would you choose to carry for survival?

Carrying a knife with a serrated edge will give you a lot confidence knowing that it will do major damage to anything that threatens your life. They are excellent for self defense and cutting down small tree branches to use as firewood, but they have a few disadvantages. One major disadvantage is that they can be quite difficult to sharpen without the right tools. In the wilderness (unless you come prepared), it will be tough to find something that will sharpen a serrated edge without damaging the blade.

Compared to a serrated edge, a smooth edge can be sharpened with just about any kind of rock. That point alone makes a great argument for why smooth edged knives are better fit for survival knives. After all, a dull or damaged knife is a useless knife. Another reason a survivalist may choose a smooth edge over a serrated edge is the fact that they do a much better job cutting and slicing food. Serrated edged knives can get the job done, but a smooth edge will get it done much better. A disadvantage of using a smooth edged knife is that they are not as effective as their serrated counter parts when it comes to cutting down tree branches or other tough-to-cut materials.

Personally, I would want to have a survival knife with a smooth edge. Reason being, they are easier to keep sharpened and will be much more reliable. Plus, I hate cutting meat with a serrated edge! It makes a mess and makes the job a hassle. Although it won't be as effective as a serrated edge would be with cutting wood, I could make the smooth edge do the job. It would just require a good sharpening every now and then.

Remember: A survival knife should be the knife you would choose if you didn't have any other knives at your beck and call. You should be able to use it for anything that you would need in a desperate situation. Whether you are defending yourself from wild predators or building yourself a shelter made of tree branches and other material laying around, having the right knife will make a great deal of a difference in the ease of the task. Choose wisely! Your life could depend on it!