Circular-saw Blades
Freud Next Generation Premier Fusion general-purpose blade
10", 40 teeth, full kerf (P410, $100) and thin kerf (P410T, $80)
800-334-4107, freudtools.com
This blade has been a favorite of ours for years, and the newest version delivers cleaner cuts than ever before. Whether ripping or crosscutting, shearing grinds along the face and sides of each carbide tooth eliminate tear-out—even in veneered plywood—and leave a burnished edge that needs little, if any, sanding.
Forrest Woodworker II general-purpose blade
10", 48 teeth, full kerf (WW10487125, $131) and thin kerf (WW10487100, $131)
800-733-7111, forrestblades.com
The traditional 40-tooth Woodworker II has proven its worth for many years as a do-it-all blade, and now Forrest's 48-tooth version makes even cleaner crosscuts, leaving smooth end grain that needs little sanding. It rips stock with ease, but leaves slight scoring marks that disappear with the swipe of a hand plane.
Amana ElectroBlu crosscut/trim blade
10", 80 teeth, no. 610800C, $110
800-445-0077, amanatool.com
You'll get tear-out-free crosscuts with this blade in solid wood and sheet goods. The blue film coating helps reduce pitch buildup nicely.
Infinity Dadonator stacked dado set
24-tooth outer blades, six chippers, and shims, 6" (SDB-600, $210) and 8" (SDB-800, $220)
877-872-2487, infinitytools.com
Few dado sets cut as cleanly as the Dadonator, even in workpieces prone to chip-out, such as veneered plywood. Get the 6" set if you use a benchtop/job-site saw or a light-duty contractor saw. Go for the 8" set for all other saws.
Diablo finish/plywood blades
61⁄2 ", 40 teeth (no. D0641X, $20) and 71⁄4 ", 40 teeth (no. D0704X, $18)
800-334-4107, diablotools.com
These economy-priced blades give you more bang for the buck when it comes to cutting sheet goods with a circular saw (cordless or corded). The thin-kerf blade removes just less than 1⁄16 ", making cutting wood cleanly a cakewalk for handheld saws, extending motor life.