A wrong choice of blade can lead to a poor cut and cutting flaws, including tear-outs, burnout, and even material waste. Each kind of saw has a specific blade type and, as a result, has a different use on the job site. Jigsaws, reciprocating saws, circular saws, and other tools employ various kinds of blades and are used for different tasks. 

In addition, each tool has a unique blade type depending on the material used to cut. For example, you can use a bandsaw to cut through meat, metal, and even wood; however, many bandsaw blades are available for each use. Here is a look at the best cutting blades for your next project.

Circular saw blades

Circular saw blades come in three main varieties for cutting wood: rip, crosscut, and combination. The differentiation is based on gullet size and tooth shape; teeth are flat-topped, and gullets are deep for ripping. Teeth for crosscutting have small gullets to slow the feed rate and alternate left- and right-handed bevels. 

The combination blade combines flat-top and alternating bevel teeth with deep and shallow gullets to offer an adequate cutting speed and finish for with- and cross-grain cutting for many users. Its use eliminates the need to switch saws or blades between operations. 

Bandsaw blades

Bandsaw blades are handy in portable, horizontal, and vertical machines. They come as continuous loops of metal welded to make stock and custom sizes. They can cut most materials, including steel, aluminum, non-ferrous alloys, wood, plastic, foam, and meat. However, the blade type and tooth configuration significantly impact whether they are suitable for a given task. Depending on the application, they can be used dry or greased. 

Cutting thinner stock requires a greater tooth pitch, which will cut slower but result in a better finish, as saw action depends on having many teeth in contact with the cut. Bandsaw blades are sized for length per the requirements of the saw manufacturers.

Handsaw blades

While many classic saws have handles, some saws have replaceable blades. Standard special-purpose saws for which you must purchase blades separately include bow saws, coping saws, hacksaws, and others. These replacement blades’ uses are clear; thus, there aren’t many options. A limited range of hacksaw blade selections is based on length and TPI, with faster cutting varieties for weaker metals.

Reciprocating saw blades

Reciprocating saws are recognized as portable tools intended primarily for demolition but also utilized for tasks like pipe cutting. Other saws, including jigsaws and scroll saws, depend on the reciprocating action of the saw and can generally be categorized as reciprocating saws as opposed to rotary saws. 

Although they typically only cut in one direction of the stroke, reciprocating saws mirror the motion of most hand saws. Reciprocating saw blades are categorized according to their intended usage, such as for wood, metal, or metal and wood.

Final words

Saw blades enable most building projects, from cutting wood and metal to materials like plastic, stone, and concrete.