Ever had kickback with a splitter or riving knife?

[Victor Robinson]

I'm just curious to what extent a splitter/RK really prevents kickback. Obviously it reduces the chances but can kickback still occur?

Have you had a kickback occur despite having a properly installed/aligned riving knife or splitter? If you did, were you able to figure out what caused the kickback?

[Rod Sheridan]

Hi Victor, in 32 years of using a table saw, I have never experienced a kickback.

I also have never ripped or crosscut without a guard and splitter.

Regards, Rod.

[Van Huskey]

Without yes, with no.

[Alan Schwabacher]

I have not. This was discussed some time ago on the Fine Woodworking site, after a contention in the magazine that a riving knife virtually eliminates kickback.

You can find the thread by searching on the knots area of that site for "Asa C... what were you thinking?".

[Vince Brytus]

I've been using table saws for about 23 years and have almost always had a splitter or riving knife in place and have never had a kickback.

[Brian Kent]

Without a splitter - 3 times.
With a splitter - never.

[Tom Winship]

Without a splitter (let me go count the holes/dents in the sheetrock.
With a splitter-never

[glenn bradley]

Have you had a kickback occur despite having a properly installed/aligned riving knife or splitter?

MJ Splitter. Never had a kickback with them.

[Scott T Smith]

I have not experienced any kickback with the riving knife. I have experienced it w/o. I would unequivocally recommend a saw with a riving knife; have had both and the RK is much better.

[Dave Gaul]

I'm with the crowd here... with splitter/rk no.. without a time or two..


I don't think it's possible if you have a splitter/rk.. unless you do something REALLY wrong, or maybe if your fence was WAY out of parallel...