What circular saw blade should I buy?

Feeling lost in a sea of circular saw blades? The wrong choice can ruin expensive materials and delay your entire project. Let’s make sure you get it right.

The right circular saw blade depends on three things: the material you are cutting, the finish you need, and the saw you are using. To choose correctly, match the blade’s material type, tooth count, and size to your specific job and tool specifications.

Choosing a saw blade can feel like a difficult decision. The shelves are filled with options, all promising the best performance. But the secret to picking the right blade is not about finding one "best" brand for everything. It’s about understanding your specific needs. As a factory that has been producing cutting tools for nearly three decades, we know that the perfect cut comes from a perfect match between the blade, the material, and the saw. Thinking about these three elements will lead you to the right choice every time, saving you time, money, and frustration.

How do I know what circular saw blade to buy?

Staring at a wall of blades can be confusing. All the technical jargon makes it easy to grab the wrong one. Knowing what to buy comes down to three key factors.

Know which blade to buy by first identifying your material (wood, metal, etc.). Next, decide on your cut type—fast and rough or slow and smooth. Finally, confirm your saw’s diameter and arbor size. These three steps will guide you to the perfect blade.

From our factory floor, I can tell you that we design blades for very specific jobs. The process you should follow to choose one is simple. You just need to answer three questions about your project.

1. What material are you cutting?

Blades are engineered for specific materials. A blade for cutting hardwood is different from one designed for non-ferrous metals like aluminum or one for masonry. Using the wrong blade is inefficient and dangerous. For example, a wood blade¹ used on metal will dull instantly and could even shatter.

2. What kind of cut do you need?

Are you quickly cutting framing lumber (a rip cut) or do you need a perfectly smooth edge on a piece of finished plywood (a crosscut)? A fast cut requires a blade with fewer teeth, while a smooth finish requires a blade with many teeth.

3. What are your saw’s specifications?

The blade must fit your saw. Check your saw’s manual for two numbers: the blade diameter (e.g., 7 1/4 inches) and the arbor hole size (the hole in the middle of the blade). They must match exactly.

How do you pick a circular saw blade?

Even when you know your material, choosing can be hard. Picking the cheapest blade often leads to poor results. Let’s examine the blade’s specific features to make a smart choice.

You pick a blade by looking at its features. A low tooth count is for fast, rough cuts, while a high tooth count is for smooth finishes. Also, check the tooth grind and kerf. Match these features to your specific cutting needs for the best results.

Once you know your material and saw size, you can look at the blade’s details. These features are what we focus on in our manufacturing process to control cutting performance.

Tooth Count and Gullet

The number of teeth determines the balance between speed and finish. The space between the teeth is called the gullet.

• Low Tooth Count (e.g., 24T): Large gullets clear away wood chips quickly. This is ideal for fast rip cuts.
• High Tooth Count (e.g., 80T): Small gullets take smaller bites. This creates a much smoother finish, perfect for crosscuts.

Tooth Grind (Geometry)

The shape of the carbide tooth tip affects how it cuts.

• FTG² (Flat Top Grind): Strong and durable. Best for ripping lumber.
• ATB³ (Alternate Top Bevel): Creates a clean, slicing action. Best for crosscutting and plywood.
• TCG⁴ (Triple-Chip Grind): Very durable. Best for hard materials like laminate, plastic, and non-ferrous metals.

Kerf and Blade Body

The kerf is the width of the cut the blade makes.

• Full Kerf: Thicker, more stable, and longer-lasting. Good for powerful corded saws.
• Thin Kerf: Removes less material, which puts less strain on the saw. Ideal for cordless saws as it extends battery life.

Should I buy a 6 1/2 or 7 1/4 circular saw?

Choosing between a 6 1/2-inch and 7 1/4-inch saw is a common problem. The wrong choice can limit your cutting depth or be cumbersome. The right one depends on your work.

Buy a 7 1/4-inch saw for maximum cutting depth and power, making it ideal for construction sites. Buy a 6 1/2-inch saw if you prioritize portability and longer battery life, as it’s lighter and often found on cordless models. Your typical job dictates the choice.

This decision is about the tool, but it directly impacts the blades you can use and the jobs you can do. As a blade manufacturer, we produce blades for both sizes, and we see clear trends in how they are used.

Cutting Capacity and Power

The main difference is cutting depth⁵. A 7 1/4-inch saw can easily cut through a 2×4 (which is 1.5 inches thick) at a 45-degree angle in a single pass. A 6 1/2-inch saw often cannot. The larger saw typically has a more powerful motor, making it better for demanding jobs with thick or hard materials.

Portability and Control

6 1/2-inch saws are almost always cordless. They are lighter and more compact, making them easier to handle, especially when working overhead or in tight spaces. This makes them a favorite for quick jobs, trim work, and cutting sheet goods. The lighter weight reduces fatigue over a long day.

Blade Availability

The 7 1/4-inch size is the industry standard in the USA. This means you will find the widest variety of blade types, tooth counts, and specialty blades in this size. While the selection for 6 1/2-inch blades is very good and growing, the 7 1/4-inch size still offers more options for specialized tasks.

How many teeth are best for a circular saw blade?

The tooth count on a blade is often confusing. Choose the wrong number, and you get a slow, burning cut or a fast, splintered mess. There is a simple rule to follow.

Fewer teeth (24-40) are best for fast, rough cuts along the grain (ripping). More teeth (60-80) are best for clean, smooth cuts across the grain (crosscutting). The "best" number depends entirely on the speed and finish quality your specific task requires.

The number of teeth on a blade represents the fundamental trade-off in cutting: speed versus finish. As manufacturers, we engineer this balance carefully into every blade we design. Here’s how to think about it.

Low Tooth Count: Speed and Ripping

Blades with 24 to 40 teeth are built for speed. Each tooth takes a bigger bite of the material, and the large gullets between the teeth clear out wood chips and dust efficiently. This aggressive action is perfect for ripping lumber—cutting parallel to the wood grain. The finish will be rough, but the cut will be very fast. This is the standard for construction and framing.

High Tooth Count: Smoothness and Crosscutting

Blades with 60 to 100 teeth are designed for a fine finish. Each tooth takes a much smaller bite. With so many teeth cutting in sequence, the blade leaves a clean, smooth edge with minimal tear-out. These blades are ideal for crosscutting hardwoods, cutting plywood without splintering, and working with delicate veneers or melamine. The trade-off is that they cut much more slowly and can burn the wood if you push them too fast.

Combination Blades: The All-Purpose Solution

If you need to switch between ripping and crosscutting often, a combination blade (usually around 40-50 teeth) is a good choice. It doesn’t rip as fast as a 24-tooth blade or crosscut as smoothly as an 80-tooth blade, but it performs reasonably well at both tasks.

Conclusion

Choosing the right circular saw blade is simple. Match the blade’s size, tooth count, and type to your saw and material for perfect cuts on every single project.