Replies

1. 
   Shep | Jan 02, 2010 09:13am | #1

   Personally, I think Forrest blades are the best. Plus their sharpening service has a very quick turn-around time.

2. 
   Knotscott | Jan 02, 2010 11:59am | #2

   Forrest is often the only premium blade people have tried. Freud make some great blades, but I sure wouldn't overlook Infinity or Ridge Carbide for a top shelf premium blade. You'll want a low to negative hook for the slider. The Infinity 010-060 is excellent for ~ $60...the 010-080 is $80. The Freud LU80 and Forrest Duraline are also excellent.

   http://www.infinitytools.com/Radial-Arm-Saw-Blades/products/1197/

3. 
   JeffHeath | Jan 02, 2010 01:52pm | #3

   Forrest makes a top quality blade, and their sharpening service cannot be beat.

   Jeff

4. 
   daveinnh | Jan 02, 2010 05:34pm | #4

   I have a Makita SCMS also. I bought a Everlast MT1080M saw blade that seems smoother and a little quieter as well.

   The puchase was made thru a dealer who sharpens my blades ~ $60. I bought several other Everlast blades for a Unisaw and find them to be very good quality, better than CMT- but I've never used Forest brand blades.

   BTW, they're actually made in the US (Florida).

5. 
   BruceS | Jan 02, 2010 07:21pm | #5

   I am completely sold on Freud. The Freud www. site is informative but there is more info in their catalog. They explain why they use many different carbide formulations. The Extreme care and technology used in their products.

   If any of you ever get a chance to visit the Mobile Freud Tech truck by all means do so. You will see how a Forrest blade stacks up against a Freud blade in person as I did.

1. 
   WillGeorge | Jan 02, 2010 08:25pm | #6

   I am also a fan of Freud blades.. But then again, I have no Forrest blades to compare.

6. 
   IdahoDon | Jan 03, 2010 02:26am | #7

   I've used a premium $100
   I've used a premium $100 dewalt woodworker blade, which is worlds above a $50 blade, but it pales next to a Forest. Once you get used to the performance and ease of use of a blade that runs as true as a Forest it's hard to go back to a lesser blade. Definitely worth the cost.

7. 
   jointerman | Jan 03, 2010 01:48pm | #8

   A few years ago, I hired a trim carpenter to work with me on finishing the interior of my over-the-top home remodel. We both put new blades into our saws. I put the Forrest Chop Master into my Makita LS-1013 and he put in a brand new Freud 80-tooth blade.

   I had a mix of MDF, Fir, Cherry, and Finger Joint. For the Fir, the Forrest blade just edged out the Freud blade.

8. 
   msp100 | Jan 03, 2010 08:39pm | #9

   Thanks to everyone for the feedback. This was great information. I have a Forrest Woodworker II blade on my table saw and love it. Forrest makes great blades but they're not cheap and I wasn't sure how the chopsaw blades ranked. I think I now have what I need. Thanks.

   Shawn

9. 
   USANigel | Jan 03, 2010 10:31pm | #10

   Pick a blade without paint of the teeth when new, they work much better.