I agree on the knife and saw combo

If I need a serrated edge I'll buy a small saw or folding saw. For one thing saw blades are usually made of stamped steel and are a lot cheaper.

I can't justify paying for a Spyderco or Benchmade for a serrated edge knife.

Well, thanks for the ack, and I would affirm the rest of your statement as well. Having more gear is better if you can use it and it isn't encumbering, either physically or financially.

I vasillate on the issue because although I stock an awful lot of gear at home and I do edc redundantly on the big three (fire-making, knives, and lights), I am also a firm believer in the MacGyver principle, that being to utilize available resources to solve your problems as well. It is a constant objective to both equip myself to the maximum extent I can within my limits, and also think of ways to make what I have or can get my hands on immediately fit my tasks.

I can cut wood quite well with an axe or hatchet, or even a big heavy knife, but there's some things that little pocket chainsaw of mine can do so much better it is worth the bucks and the room in my pocket to bring it along. The saw won't do it all, which is why the axe usually accompanies it, but combine the two and I can get more than twice as much accomplished for the effort. I just keep in mind that I can still get a lot done if I can only bring one or the other.

If the serrations are at the handle end, it can be hard to use the knife for fine work. If you must have serrations, I think they are better towards the tip of the blade.