A combination saw blade, as the name implies, is suitable for both rip and cross cuts.
Why I bought a combination saw blade
Ideally, you would use a blade designed for rip cuts to cut boards lengthwise. It has fewer teeth (typically 24-40) and wider gaps to cut through material faster when going with the grain. And you would use a blade designed for cross cuts to cut across the grain. It has more teeth (typically 60-80) and narrower gaps to cut through material while minimizing tear-out.
Though I can sometimes be a perfectionist, insisting on the right tool for the job, the blade on my table saw is not one of those “right” tools. It’s a hassle to change blades, so when it came time for a replacement, I decided to spend a little more on a blade that would serve multiple purposes and last a long time.
I’ll credit James at Stumpy Nubs for recommending the CMT combination saw blade, but many woodworkers endorse it. It rips without any burning and cross-cuts without much tear-out. The flat grind allows me to cut dados and rabbets. It performs well on my most-used materials: dimensional lumber, plywood, MDF, laminated particle board, and walnut. I have the Dewalt 7485 table saw and this blade is always on it!
The Good Stuff
- Quality. I’ve been using the CMT combination saw blade for almost two years now and it has not once disappointed. I don’t really think about it anymore, which is a testament to its quality. I just know it’s going to do the job well.
- Features. Honestly, a lot of the features on a combination saw blade go over my head. If you read the back of the package, you’ll see marketing lingo about heat expansion slots, a tensioning ring, a surface hardness of 400 Vickers, and more. The single most important feature of a combination blade is the number of teeth. Generally, 10-inch combination blades have 40-50 teeth.
- Durability. The blade that came with the saw lasted about 18 months and I probably should have replaced it at 12 months. Since the CMT blade is nearing 24 months and still going strong, I’d say it’s very durable!
The Bad Stuff
- None.
Conclusion
The CMT Combination Saw Blade lives up to its reputation as a premium blade. This is one of those cases where I didn’t do a lot of research. It was recommended by a woodworker on YouTube and he seemed like a smart guy. I trusted him and don’t have any regrets.
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Finally, I only recommend products that I use on a regular basis and have proved their worthiness over time. Check out the Product Reviews page to see more.
