Saw Blade Guide: Circular, Miter, Table & Reciprocating
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A $300 saw with a $5 blade cuts like a $50 saw. The blade does the actual work, and most saws ship with a mediocre combination blade that the manufacturer expects you to replace. This page covers the four most common blade types for home workshops and what to look for when buying replacements.
When to Replace
Dull blades burn wood (look for scorch marks on cut edges), produce more sawdust than chips, bind in the kerf, and require you to push harder. Carbide-tipped blades can be resharpened 3-5 times by a sharpening service ($15-25 per blade), which is worth it for premium blades. Replace blades with missing or chipped teeth immediately.
Types Overview
Circular saw blades (7-1/4")
Framing, sheet goods, general crosscuts. Most common size.
$8-40 per bladeMiter saw blades (10" or 12")
Clean crosscuts in trim, molding, and hardwood. Higher tooth counts.
$20-70 per bladeTable saw blades (10")
Ripping, crosscutting, and dado cuts in sheet goods and lumber.
$25-80 per bladeReciprocating saw blades
Demolition, pruning, and cutting mixed materials. Disposable.
$10-25 for a packJigsaw blades (T-shank)
Curves, scrollwork, and plunge cuts in wood, metal, and plastic.
$8-20 for a packBuying Tips
- More teeth = smoother cut but slower feed. Fewer teeth = faster cut but rougher edges. 24T for framing, 60T for finish work, 40T splits the difference.
- Thin-kerf blades waste less material and require less power from the motor. Good for underpowered saws and expensive hardwood.
- Match the blade arbor to your saw. Most consumer saws use a 5/8" arbor. Never force a blade onto the wrong arbor.
- For reciprocating saws, buy blade variety packs. You will use different blades for wood, metal, and demo, and they are cheap enough to treat as disposable.
- Carbide teeth cut faster and last longer than steel teeth. The price difference pays for itself in about three projects.
Top Picks
DWA171460 40T Circular Blade
General-purpose 7-1/4" cuts in framing and plywood
D0760X Diablo 60T Fine Finish
Clean crosscuts on miter saws and table saws
48-00-5035 Sawzall Demo Pack
Demolition and remodeling with a recip saw
T503 10-Piece Jigsaw Set
Mixed jigsaw work in wood and metal
Borrow or Buy?
Saw blades are consumables that wear to a specific saw and specific materials. A blade that has been cutting dirty reclaimed lumber is not going to make clean cuts in your finish trim. Start fresh.
Common Questions
Can I use a 7-1/4" blade in a 10" saw?
No. Undersized blades will not reach through the material at full depth, the arbor hole may not match, and the blade guard will not close properly. Always match the blade diameter to the saw.
What tooth count should I use for plywood?
60 teeth or more for clean edges on plywood. Fewer teeth tear the veneer face. If you are cutting plywood with a circular saw, put the good face down so the upward-cutting teeth exit through the back.
How many times can I sharpen a blade?
Most carbide-tipped blades handle 3-5 sharpenings before the teeth get too small. A professional sharpening service charges $15-25 per blade. On a $40-60 premium blade, that is a good deal compared to replacing it.