Replies

1. 
   Knotscott | Mar 03, 2007 03:56am | #1

   I've used both and think both are impressive general purpose blades. It's nearly impossible to distinguish the cuts apart.

   Construction, configuration, design, sharpness, quality, price, etc., are all very similar. The WWII is a fine American made product that's ranked at the top or near the top of every comparison I've ever seen, and it maintains very high resale. It's also available in two kerfs...full and thin. AFAIK, the Gold Medal is made in Japan...possibly even China as their manufacturing shifts like that in the US, and is only available in one kerf (0.111"). Given that information, I see little reason to chose the Tenryu over the WWII.

   An excellent alternative to either would be the Ridge Carbide TS2000. It has a very similar description to the Forrest, but adds ~ 35% more carbide and is sharpened to 1200 grit. Holbren.com has good prices on that blade. It's one of the more impressive blades I've used.

   I'd also consider the Freud P410 Fusion. It has a Hi-ATB grind that the others don't offer. Made in Italy AFAIK, and is only available on full kerf.

   Then of course there's always the DW7657 for the value hunters out there....similar performance for half the price.

   
   

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   Edited 3/3/2007 7:23 am ET by Knotscott

1. 
   chipsndust | Mar 04, 2007 07:23pm | #2

   Thanks for the feedback. Your response is appreciated. I think I think I'm going to purchase the WW II .

   Bob

1. 
   Jimma | Mar 04, 2007 08:05pm | #3

   I have both of the blades you asked about and give the nod to the Forrest WW II. It resharpens better than the Tenryu in my experience.

2. 
   gwsaltspring | Mar 04, 2007 10:09pm | #4

   I'm just curious, as I'm in much the same boat, since you already own a ripping blade, what about going to a dedicated crosscutting blade?

   Greg

1. 
   chipsndust | Mar 05, 2007 07:15pm | #8

   I've got a Freud cross cut blade w/ a neg 5 degree hook in my radial arm saw which serves me well. I've been hearing alot about Forest blades, and recently read an article about Tenyru which prompted my question

3. 
   forestgirl | Mar 04, 2007 10:35pm | #5

   The GlueLine rip blade and the Woodworker II are totally different blades.  I don't see this as "ugrading"....simply expanding your stable of blades.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   

1. 
   Knotscott | Mar 04, 2007 11:22pm | #6

   Hi FG - I sure can't speak for "chipsndust", but I see this move as expanding the capability range of his saw blade. It may not be a huge quality upgrade b/c the Freud LM74 is a well made blade, but there are definitely some benefits to be had. The GLR is a fairly specialized blade intended to leave a smooth edge on rip cuts on materials up to 1" thick, which it does reasonably well. The WWII (or any comparable GP or combo blade) will do that too, plus will crosscut respectably well, rip thicker material to ~ 2" thick, is very good in sheet goods, and is basically more versatile.

1. 
   chipsndust | Mar 05, 2007 07:23pm | #9

   My thoughts exactly. Maybe my term upgrade was incorrect, "EXPAND" seems more appropriate. I'm not dissatisfied w/ the GLR, in fact just the opposite. However the occasional crosscuts were unacceptable. Ergo.... the consideration of the new purchase

4. 
   lwilliams | Mar 04, 2007 11:51pm | #7

   We also have Forrest the and Tenru blades.

   I prefer the Tenru Gold Medal. It runs quieter. Both are good blades and the slight advantage of the WWII is that the carbide is slightly bigger and you may get an additional sharpening or two from the WWII. The Gold Medal seems to take less power which is important on the heavy cuts we tend to make.

   I also ran across an incredibly rude woman when dealing with Forrest's customer service. The only reason Forrest will ever get my business again is that they make getting custom bored blades easier than anyone else. I'm fortunate that my local sharpening service is as good as Forrest and I'll send my sharpening to my local sharpener.