[Bill Harsey]

Endorphin Rush,
Here is my nearly completely unbiased theory on why serrated edges both are rightfully popular and cut pretty well.

First, they cut stuff, no question.

We are now a couple generations "removed from the farm" if you will. Kids aren't taught to sharpen by their parents (notice no gender bias, my Grandma would kick my a*s, and since she's not around anymore, some other XX gender classifieds around here would probably volunteer to do it for her).

This is important because serrations take longer to dull all the edge, that is abuse may flat spot the points but the gullets will still cut. With enough force you can find a sharp part of a serration. Trying to saw aircraft cable will screw up most of a serration but is a test used here to see if our chisel tooth serration works. It does. My point here is that folks who don't sharpen their own knives get a lot of good use out of serrations.

The reason a "fresh from the factory" serration cuts so well is that the included angle of the edge is very acute. This is really good for cutting things like web gear, nylon strapping or seat belts. It is also a fragile edge for hard use jobs.

For work on game I find the serration to be very difficult to use. I cannot control my cut and they are a bit harder to field re-sharpen. I really prefer a straight edge for all my knife work.

There is certainly a valid reason for serrated edges, we provide a small serrated area at the base of each Yarborough knife for cutting difficult materials.

For most pure tactical knives, most owners i know prefer a straight edge.