Saw Blade Recommendation

[scott spencer]

Ridge Carbide TS2000TK, Infinity Combomax Lite (010-150), and Freud Fusion TK are all very reasonable alternatives to the 40T WWII. The Tenryu Gold Medal is comparable quality but has a unique mid-kerf of 0.111". The 30T TK WWII is a good choice too if you do a lot of thicker ripping, and don't plan to do much ply or fine crosscutting with it. Inversely, the Infinity 010-060 (similar to the WWI) is an excellent choice if you don't do a lot of thick ripping....it gives clean rips to ~ 5/4", outstanding ply and crosscuts. The Freud LU88 has similar strengths but isn't quite as adept at ply and crosscuts.

[Philip Johnson]

I must be the only one that is not impressed with Freud. I have used Forrest blades for the last 25 years or so and have been happy with them, except for one thin kerf blade I bought by mistake. I never felt that cut as good as the full kerf. Might just be my perception but always felt that way about it. I keep reading good things about Freud so picked up a couple, the glue line rip and 80 tooth crosscut one. I think I paid around 175 for two blades, never again. I keep having to switch blades and I don't think either one cuts as good as the Forrest. I will go back to Forrest and have one blade that does everything pretty darn good.

Phil