The Hawks, Hegners, Excalibers are all top of the line highend saws. Now there is a difference if you are a top feeder or a bottom feeder and THAT IS the only difference. There are differences in many saws and yes the Excaliber and now the new Jet saw have a tilting head design. No better than a tilting table if you are into that but some may find it easier. As is with top feeding over bottom feeding. It is a matter of preference. I own 2 Hawks 220 and 226, Hegner 18" a Dewalt 788 . Have been scrolling for over 30 years. I use Flying Dutchman blades and mostly the $5 Silver reverse blade. You will get 100 different people disagreeing on different blades also and again it comes down to a matter of preference. Can not go wrong with any of them.