Woodcutting may seem like the most common use of circular saw blades—which it probably is, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a task in itself. Wood is a picky material that can result in uneven, chipped and snagged cuts if you don’t know how to approach it. That’s why you need to find the right circular saw blade for all your woodworking needs.

Why Wood Cutting Is Unique

Wood is a natural material, and its fibrous structure gives it some unique challenges when cutting. If you haven’t selected the right woodcutting blade, you can encounter issues like:

• The wooden plank cracks before you can cut through it completely
• The cut site starts to burn and will turn black from excessive friction
• The wood splits or frays at the cut site and ruins the clean finish of the final cut
• The wood starts to warp or move due to uneven pressure from the blade

Choosing The Best Circular Saw Blades For Wood

Finding the right circular saw blade for your wood project depends on what you’re planning to do with the wood. Let’s take a look at how the type of cut you’re looking to make impacts what blade you’ll need:

Rip Cuts

Rip cuts are made along the grain of the wood. You usually use a special type of circular saw blade called a rip blade for this kind of cutting. Rip blades have large teeth, deep gullets and flat tops to reduce resistance. 

Crosscuts

Crosscuts are made across the wood grain and require a crosscut blade for a clean finish. Most crosscut blades have smaller teeth with shallow gullets and alternating top bevels. This kind of blade prevents the burning of wood as well.

Other cuts

If you’re looking to make specialty cuts in wood that include rips, crosscuts and more—you’ll need a combination blade. They have a mix of both rip-blade and cross-blade properties. There’s also a new type of blade tooth called “triple chip” that's being used in combination blades for its versatility across the wood.

Should You Pick A Steel or Carbide Tipped Blade?

Now that you know what type of circular saw blade you’d need, you also have to consider its make. Steel blades are seen on older saws and are relatively inexpensive. You can use them to cut through soft woods, firewood and timber in some cases.

However, if you’re looking for a fortified blade that lasts longer and can be used on almost all wooden surfaces and materials—then carbide-tipped blades are an excellent choice. They help cut through almost any surface and always provide a clean finish.

How Blade Quality Factors In

Although finding the right circular saw blade for your woodcutting is important—so is the blade quality. You need to ensure the blade is made from the right materials and has the proper sharpness to cut through wood. 

Blunt blades end up causing excessive friction, which leads to scorching or burnt wood. Similarly, blades with irregularly sharp teeth can increase snagging and chipping on even the best materials.

The Sharpening House is your go-to online store with the best wood cutting blades for sale. Plus, we also offer expert sharpening services for all your tools to guarantee precise and accurate cuts. Call us at (705)325-8665 or Contact us to learn more!