Circular Saw Blades

First Time Buying Circular Saw Blades? Here’s All You Need To Know

It's easy to mix up circular saw blades and order the wrong ones when you’re new to them. We’ve got all the information you need to buy the perfect blade for your saw.

Types of Circular Saw Blades in Canada

There are many types of circular saw blades to choose from based on what kind of saw it’s for and what you’re looking to cut. A general breakdown includes:

✔ Rip Cut Blades: Often used for cutting along wood grain thanks to its spaced-out teeth (usually 14-24 on a 10-inch blade) with deeper gullets to push material faster.

✔ Cross-Cut Blades: Perfect for cutting across wood grains. They’re marked with more teeth and smaller gullets to minimize the splintering of the material.

✔ Combination Blades: Usually known as general-purpose blades that can cut both along and across the grain for a variety of woods and materials.

✔ Plywood Blades: Have a high tooth count and are designed to cut through lightweight material like plywood while reducing splintering.

How To Find The Best Circular Saw Blade

Even when you know what you’re going to be cutting with your circular saw blade, knowing how to find the right blade is essential. Here are a few things to look out for:

• Know the blade size: Circular saw blades are most often found in standard sizes from 4 ½ inches to 18 inches. Many handheld skill saws use a 7 ¼ inch blade.
• Understand blade compatibility: There are many types of circular saws available in the market. You need to know what blade will be compatible with your saw, and the material you are cutting.
• Check tooth count: Know the tooth count for the saw blade you’re looking for. If you’re cutting natural wood along the gain, a low tooth count will be best for efficiency. A higher tooth count is used when cutting cross grain and in composite materials (MDF, plywood, etc)
• Keep Using What Works: Your safest bet when shopping for a new blade is to choose a circular saw with the same specifications as the one you are already using. If it's been working perfectly for your projects and you only need a replacement, this is the best idea.