Replies

1. 
   warrenspahr | Apr 22, 2003 02:49pm | #1

   Brian

   This blade is an excellent value. I hae one which I purchased 7 years ago, has been resharpened once and still cuts glass smooth. Since I dont have a jointer,  I edge joint with mine.  Their resharpening service is excellent. When I returned mine for resharpening, they replaced one of the caarbide teeth that had been damaged. Blade was like new when returned.

1. 
   BrianMcG | Apr 23, 2003 07:46am | #8

   Thanks everybody, Looks like I'm adding forrest to the ever growing list of "must haves". Brian

2. 
   lostarrow | Apr 22, 2003 02:51pm | #2

   I bought my Forrest WWII (3/32") at a Woodworkers show in '97. It's the only blade I use and I've only sent it back to be sharpened 2 times  in the nearly 6 years I've owned it. In my opinion it's everything as advertised. Incredibile smooth rip and crosscuts. If I don't get a "glue line rip", it's because the wood misbehaved, not the blade. No bottom splintering on crosscuts. Before the Forrest blade I used Freud's or the Everlast's best blades and they just can't compare with the quality cut  you get with the Forrest. I've never been sorry that I took the "plunge" and bought the Forrest.  That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

1. 
   mitch | Apr 22, 2003 08:44pm | #3

   if your time is worth anything go with the forrest.  it will more than pay you back in time saved not fixing chipout, not cutting oversize so you can then joint to finish dimension, not spending a lot of time finish sanding a cut edge, etc.  i think they're worth every penny.

   m

3. 
   Napie | Apr 22, 2003 11:34pm | #4

   I agree with everyone else, it is without doubt the best value in tooling, EVER.  Glass smooth rips, NO chip-out crosscuts in sheetgoods of all types.  I just can't say enough good about it.  I can't believe they are ONLY $100.00, it's worth twice that.

1. 
   nicobie | Apr 23, 2003 03:17am | #6

   I like to try new stuff every once in a while...

   Leitz is OK too at 1/2 the price.

   Pro woodshops around here nod when Forrest is mentioned.

   I've yet to see one of their blades on one of their saws.

   I've been asked if I want to buy a used one more than once.The proof is in the puddin'

2. 
   greenebelly | Apr 25, 2003 05:41am | #15

         SHSHSHSHSHSHSHS!!!!!! NO NONONO, it is only worth 100.00. I live by where they are made. Don't let them hear you or they just might up the price.

4. 
   artw | Apr 23, 2003 01:29am | #5

   I have one, best darn blade I will ever use. I plan on buying more.

   Ken

5. 
   andypants | Apr 23, 2003 05:36am | #7

   Hey Brian

   Check out this site http://www.Dynamicsaw.com.  I am a cabinet maker in Buffalo NY.  We have tried all different kinds of makers, Freud, Forrest, and so on and none of them compared to the blades we bought from Dynamic. They are a local company in Buffalo but I know they ship all over. The other nice thing about them is that you can talk to Dan (the owner) and he will help you choose the right blade for you (home or work) For the price you can't go wrong. 

   Andy  

1. 
   BrianMcG | Apr 23, 2003 07:47am | #9

   Thanks for the info Andy...have to admit though, I'm leaning towards Forrest. Brian

6. 
   mrles | Apr 23, 2003 07:55am | #10

   I wish everything I bought was as good as my Forrest blade. I'm a hobbyist but I've been at this hobby for a long time and I am well pleased with the ripping and crosscutting of mine. I don't own a jointer either like several others have posted when this same subject has came up. I join with my Forrest II blade.

   Gods Peace

   les 

1. 
   BrianMcG | Apr 23, 2003 08:57am | #11

   Thanks Les, It's a landslide. Brian

1. 
   Adrian | Apr 24, 2003 03:49am | #12

   One vote of dissent; my Forrest is okay, no better, and my sharpeners agree. I won't buy any more, don't feel like paying for the advertising campaign. I believe the reason so many hobbyist woodworkers love their Forrrest is that they haven't been exposed to industrial blades. They're often sold through sharpening shops,they don't advertise in the hobby mags, they aren't usually sold outside of industrial suppliers, and that's what you'll find in the pro shops. I'm partial to FS Tool, I probably have a couple of dozen between my school shop and my own shop, and they are superb blades. They cost less than Freud in my area, and I believe they are a better blade. Cost WAY less than Forrest. Don't take my word for it: locate a sharpening shop that services pro shops, ask their opinion, and if they sell blades. Compare the results.

   The stuff about Forrest being the only company that can sharpen the blades is guff, also; any good sharpener can. In fact, there ws a sharpener around here involoved in a blade discussion not long ago, may be in the archives.cabinetmaker/college instructor. Cape Breton, N.SWAY too conservative to be merely right wing

1. 
   jc21 | Apr 24, 2003 04:03pm | #13

   Might you have a link to where FS blades can be purchased online or mail order? I just finished a stint in a factory that made unfinished oak cabinets. Industrial equipment- gang saws, Opticut etc and almost every blade I saw was FS tool; it made a believer out of me.

1. 
   Adrian | Apr 25, 2003 09:43pm | #17

   Here's a link to a Canadian industrial supplier....good prices and service, they publish some sale prices in their flyers, other stuff you have to call for a price (http://www.normand.ca) . I've never got it straight if they are a Canadian or American company (they have offices both countries); my dealers seem to think the blades are made in the U.S, but I don't know.cabinetmaker/college instructor. Cape Breton, N.SWAY too conservative to be merely right wing

2. 
   forestgirl | Apr 26, 2003 07:21pm | #23

   Does Normand actually sell to individual users like moi?  It appears from their web site that they are a larger distributor. forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

3. 
   Adrian | Apr 27, 2003 10:24pm | #28

   Don't know why not....your money is as good as anyone elses. If you have trouble, I'll give you a phone number.cabinetmaker/college instructor. Cape Breton, N.SWAY too conservative to be merely right wing

2. 
   RANGERP75R | Apr 25, 2003 04:17am | #14

   Adrian

      Back when we discussed this about a year ago,(?) I got one of the FS's on your suggestion. I strickly use Freud. It was a little pricier here in the states as opposed to your Canadian price, but it is a good blade. I will add there are other good blades out there also. I am a firm believer in switching blades to match tooth count to the job. I'm sure Forrest is great for a combo, but I don't use combo's (especially at that price). Just my opinion.

   sarge..jt

3. 
   DJK | Apr 25, 2003 03:37pm | #16

   I agree with the master about FS Tool. Been using them for the last 6 years. Finding a dealer that want to sell you them here in MI is a problem. FS says they should give at minimum 25% off retail but nobody local stocks them. They will " special order " and charge list price or try to sell you a different brand from stock. I purchase them direct from FS in CDN funds and have them shipped to the inlaws in Godrich, Ontario. Save a ton of cash with the exchange even with paying the 15% tax. I can't figure why there isn't a tax revolt in Canada.

   Dave Koury

1. 
   Adrian | Apr 25, 2003 09:44pm | #18

   Dave Koury...good to see you again, sir....cabinetmaker/college instructor. Cape Breton, N.SWAY too conservative to be merely right wing

7. 
   vacabby | Apr 26, 2003 04:47pm | #19

   I have used Forest blades and now I only use Oldham blades by US Saw in North Carolina.    This blade when tested side by side with the Forest provides the same quality cut at about 30% less.    They provide you a coupon for your first sharpening and thereafter sharpening is 25% less than that of Forest.   I am not talking about the series purchased at Home Depot.   I am talking about their "Signature" series.   I would also put their profession stack dado set against any other on the market.   Blades in my shops work every day, all day.   Check them out through http://www.thewoodworkerschoice.com     I don't recommend their router bits but this saw blade is as good as any out there.    We probably have 15-20 blades/sets.

   jb

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Apr 26, 2003 06:22pm | #20

   jb

      Interesting post. I wondered if anyone had tried the signature series U.S. Saw blade. (Oldham) I am today doing an experiment. I have had success with the cheap Oldham 60 tooth carbide on a circular saw for cutting down large panels. I am going to buy a cheaper Oldham 60 tooth cross-cut for the TS today. Want to try it on the TS, just to see how it preforms. If I'm not satisfied, I'll just hang it up for cutting junk material.

      Interesting thing happened. I used and old Shopmate circular to cut through and down-size a tool-table. Sparks were flying when I hit the two sheet metal screws. The Oldham went right through them. I got a magnifying glass and examined the carbide teeth. I could see very little damage and it doesn't affect the cuts I made after the incident. I won't use the blade anymore ( in case of stress crack on a tooth I can't detect), but it made me realize that it may not be all that bad a blade. Even for under $20.

   Just curious. ha..ha..

   sarge..jt

1. 
   ToolDoc | Apr 26, 2003 07:08pm | #21

   SARGE: I have used OldHam blades for years and really like em ,even better is the Fact that OldHam is nowowned by the same company who owns Delta/Porter-Cable..soo Welcome to the Delta Club..haha

                                        ToolDoc

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Apr 26, 2003 07:19pm | #22

   Doc

      In that case, forget the experiment. ha..ha.. Nah, I'm just curious as to how good a cut I get on the TS with the lower cost Oldhams. I have never used them except on the circular, but with excellent results. As they say, "the proof is in the puddin' ".

   Work to do, have a good day...

   sarge..jt

1. 
   ToolDoc | Apr 26, 2003 07:51pm | #24

   SARGE: there good maybe not as good as the Freuds but there a servicable blade,started using them years ago when I was a young lad on a framing crew used them on my B&D sawcat,later bought a few for the tablesaw & radial& miter box..the regular steel blades are good too,but hey who uses steel anymore its all carbide now...

     ToolDoc

2. 
   vacabby | Apr 26, 2003 11:25pm | #25

   The 100W40 and 100W80 are as good a blade as I have used at any cost.   We also use their Ultimate Woodworker's Dado sets.    At $180 it is the best dado set I've used.   Shims for undersized material and resharpening service that can't be beat.   Just wish they could do with a router bit what they do with a saw blade.

   jb

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Apr 27, 2003 01:59am | #26

   jb

      Thanks for the info on the "sig" series. I bought a set of those Hickory (OLdham) half rounds from HD to do some cheap grade lumber with. I put over 500 linear feet of red oak through the 3/8 round-over bit building 40' of parts counter and it is still cutting clean. I don't know for how long, but at about $8 a bit for carbide I can't complain.

      I use CMT's for my own furniture projects, unless it is a softer wood like pine, fir, alder or poplar. I'm going to continue to use the Hickory's on those woods till they drop. What problems did you have with the Oldham and were they the Hickory or Viper? I realize you are commercial and do the everyday thang, but just curious.

   Regards...

   sarge..jt

1. 
   vacabby | Apr 27, 2003 07:06pm | #27

   I was speaking of the Viper bit in the previous post.   I use mostly Whiteside bits on a daily basis but have had good success with the CMT line as well.   Hickory has great bang for the buck too.   Especially in softer materials.   The Whiteside products hold a fantastic edge for a long while and we can tune them up in house and keep on going if the begin to fade in cutting quality.    I have also used the Freud T&G set and like it's performance as well.

   Harder woods will put any blade or bit to the test with repeated use.    Put a bit or blade in a bind with Beech or hard maple and you can just as well run through a nail.   I would never tell someone that any brand is the only brand to buy.   I think you have to buy what best suits your needs and desired results.   Sometimes the desired results cause use to stretch the ole pocketbook.    There is no one blade, bit, saw, router, etc., that is "the best" for everyone.   Folks just seem to want to keep up with the other guy.

   Have a great day Sarge.

   jb

2. 
   RANGERP75R | Apr 28, 2003 02:06am | #29

   jb

      Agree with your comments. I'm going to try the Whiteside. I've seen them at a reasonable price and a few have mentioned their dependability here. Your comment drove the final nail. Maybe time I bought a round. ha..ha..

   Have a good day, jb...

   sarge..jt