Several - Infinity, Ridge Carbide, Tenryu Gold Medal, Freud Premier Fusion. I've heard others rave about Popular Tools and World's Best too, but haven't tried them. If you want even better performance, separate task specific blades will do an even better job within their respective cutting ranges.

Forrest makes really good blades, but are among the most expensive paths to that level of performance. After trying dozens, and comparing them directly, IMHO at current prices Forrest no longer holds a competitive advantage over some of the other top flight blades. They all use top grade micrograin carbide with very large teeth, high quality steel, precision manufacturing, excellent design, and outstanding sharpening….some even offer coatings to reduce rust, which Forrest does not. There is no fairy dust available to Forrest that's not available to their competitors who choose to make a high quality blade, and is literally is more of a business decision than ability in this day and age.

 

ive been very satisfied with freud and their price…considering infinity too though

 

I got a ridge carbide and it's great. Never tried a forrest, though.

 

I don't want to say they are as good as or better than Forrest, but I like Freud industrial and Infinity blades.

Freud LU86R010 thin kerf is a fantastic bargain. I have absolutely no complaints with performance, and I demand a lot out of my blades. It seems to cut plywood and hardwood equally well.

I also have the Infinity Dadonator, which is a really nice set. Sadly, it is not recommended for use on my Sawstop.

 

I picked up a Safety Rip Blade from L.V. a couple of years ago, believe it is a Dimar 10" 24 tooth Flat top, Amazing blade, still as sharp as the day I bought it and use for a lot more than just Ripping.

 

I've only had experience with the WW2 and the freud premier fusion. In my case i give the edge to the freud but both are Excellent and provide awesome results. And with Freud $30 +/- lees, they are evena better deal.
I have heard from customers that are extremely happy with Amana and Tenryu Gold blades too.

I'm also extremely happy with my Freud glue line rip. Really clean surface after a couple hundred feet of ripping 8/4 oak, mahogany and maple. No need to tune the shortage prior to gluing. Ripping 8/4 with a fusion in a pinch, takes too much effort, even witha 3hp saw. Which backs up knottscotts recommendation of specific blades for cutting chores.

 

I use Freud blades and recently got the Premier Fusion blade . It has an outstanding cut and I got it on sale for $61. For the money, it is very good.

I have thought a number of times about getting a Forrest but have not because of the cost. I have no doubt it is an excellent blade but the price is just too much for me.

I typically keep a Freud rip blade on my saw and swap out when doing fine cross cuts or better plywood.

 

My Freud cuts better than my Forrest.

 

My Forrest cuts better than anything else I have….!!

 

Forrest all the way.They are made in he USA and if I have a problem with the blade I call them on the phone and talk.

Here's a 12 inch I bought last year with a special bore and grind.
Not many makers offer specials.

Aj

 

I've never had any luck with a Forrest blade so I stopped buying them. Maybe i just got bad blades and I'm certainly not going to talk down on them. I use Freud all the way now and have never encountered a problem with them.

 

Forrest man here. Like the way they cut cherry.

 

I just pushed the button about 15 minutes ago for a forrest FM-WW10406125 Forrest Woodworker-II 40T. Supposed to be a special grind and hard to get. Don't really no anything about them. I've never paid that much for a saw blade. This one was 156.00, but they had it marked down and with a 10.00 coupon I got it for 114.00. Also it's a full kerf what I've been looking for. Sure hope it works out.
Gerald

 

I have a few Forrest blades, they hold an edge extremely well over the long run. Resharpening was easy thru their service. I feel like I got good value on them, the Frued rip blade I have is nice too. Probably not going to go wrong with any of the top of the line blades. They are all better long term values than the cheapos at the big box stores.

 

I bought an amana blade a while back and i was very impressed with the cut quality and precision of the blade. any company that makes 14 inch industrial blades is alright with me.

 

I just pushed the button about 15 minutes ago for a forrest FM-WW10406125 Forrest Woodworker-II 40T. Supposed to be a special grind and hard to get. Don t really no anything about them. I ve never paid that much for a saw blade. This one was 156.00, but they had it marked down and with a 10.00 coupon I got it for 114.00. Also it s a full kerf what I ve been looking for. Sure hope it works out.
Gerald

- alittleoff

Just an FYI….this blade uses the traditional ATB grind combined with a flat raker every 5th tooth…it's known as an ATB/R combination grind, which is the same grind that the Ridge Carbide TS2000 offers standard (made in the USA just down the road from Forrest, has even thicker carbide teeth, and gets sharpened to a finer grit - regular price is $99.95 w/free s/h). If you've never used a top shelf blade, you will likely be very happy with the Forrest, but in the end, it's still a 40T blade intended to be good at most cuts, but weak in heavy ripping and fine ply/crosscuts. For efficient ripping without burning in thick dense materials an 18T to 24T FTG ripper is best. For really clean fine crosscuts and ply cuts, a 60T to 80T Hi-ATB is best.

 

You can buy some other blades as mentioned
above and get similar performance.

Forrest will repair, sharpen and tune any blade
you send them, so if you want Forrest performance
send any decent blade into them for doctoring
and see what you think.

There's no magic to the way the Woodworker 1
and 2 blades perform, just great quality control
after the teeth are brazed (at heat) to make sure
the blade ships flat.

 

Several - Infinity, Ridge Carbide, Tenryu Gold Medal, Freud Premier Fusion. I ve heard others rave about Popular Tools and World s Best too, but haven t tried them. If you want even better performance, separate task specific blades will do an even better job within their respective cutting ranges.

Forrest makes really good blades, but are among the most expensive paths to that level of performance. After trying dozens, and comparing them directly, IMHO at current prices Forrest no longer holds a competitive advantage over some of the other top flight blades. They all use top grade micrograin carbide with very large teeth, high quality steel, precision manufacturing, excellent design, and outstanding sharpening….some even offer coatings to reduce rust, which Forrest does not. There is no fairy dust available to Forrest that s not available to their competitors who choose to make a high quality blade, and is literally is more of a business decision than ability in this day and age.

- knotscott

Couldn't have said it any better!

 

My saw has a horse-and-a-half motor. I have a Forrest blade that I use occasionally, but for that much power, I prefer Freud thin-kerf blades. I was concerned at first about them deflecting some since they're so thin, but that doesn't seem to be a problem. The Freud blades cut hardwood pretty well with minimum burning on my underpowered saw.

What I miss about using those blades, though, is the sharpening service Forrest provides. I could throw the blade in their box with a check, and it comes back sharp.

 

Knotscott knows his stuff, and my experience agrees with what he and some of the others said. I have Forrest, Ridge Carbide and Freud blades. The last 2 cut just as well as the first.

 

I have tried many other combination blades for my 3 hp table saw, and since I went with Forrest, I have used them exclusively, except when doing a LOT of ripping, and then I use a Freud, glue line rip blade. I bought the original Freud thin kerf when I bought a Systematic combo blade a long time ago and was using a 1.5 hp saw; and finally just recently replaced it with the full kerf model. A great blade! I have a 12" Tenyru blade in my miter saw that was given to me as a present. I am very pleased with the performance and how long that it has stayed sharp. Another very good blade.
But for a 10" everyday combo blade, my vote is still overwhelmingly for Forrest. They are American made, have a great sharpening service and like another member said, if you have a problem, you can call them and talk. I had a shipping problem and talked to one of the Forrest family, and he solved the problem very quickly and to my satisfaction. Just my 2 cents. Good Luck, Work Safely and Have Fun!

 

I used Forrest and Freud. The Forrest blades are my "go-to" choice for end grain cutting that will be exposed (easier sanding cleanup). They are often on sale for around $100 (WW2, 40T and 48T). If I'm not especially concerned about the finish of the cut, I'll just use whatever blade I have installed.

My Freud box-joint blade is excellent, very precise and flat cuts. Their "super dado" is also excellent. Forrest makes these blades as well, but I have not tried them.

 

I was in a bind last night waiting for a new ripping freud and saw a diablo 24 tooth at ace right across from my state farm agency….I am very impressed with the sharpness and quietness of this blade. has anyone else tried it for 28 bucks?!

 

I love my freud Glue Line Rip Blade
http://www.rockler.com/freud-lm74r-industrial-glue-line-rip-saw-blades
not a bad price either …... :<))

 

I was in a bind last night waiting for a new ripping freud and saw a diablo 24 tooth at ace right across from my state farm agency….I am very impressed with the sharpness and quietness of this blade. has anyone else tried it for 28 bucks?!

- buckbuster31

The Freud Diablo and Irwin Marples series are well regarded for good value. Though both have limited selection, and are mainly thin kerf.