saw blade quality

[Vince Shriver]

I have a couple blades I want to send in for sharpening. My question: I have a Porter Cable 7-1/4" circular saw blade (carbide, thin kerf) that needs sharpening - Is this blade worth sharpening, or should I just replace it? When sharp it made nice cuts.

[Ray Schafer]

I had the same question recently. I am no expert (and I am sure that someone with more experience will pipe in), but here is how I decide. If it is a carbide blade and the teeth are in good shape, then I want the cost of the blade to be significantly more than the cost of sharpening. I recently had 5 blades sharpened locally for about $57. Any one of the blades would have cost at least $50. ... and so I am guessing that, if you are going to get it sharpened locally and don't have to pay for postage and get to the post office, etc. it will be worth it.

[Pat Germain]

I agree with Ray. Try to find a good, local sharpener. Stay away from the mass production sharpeners who contract with retail stores and use inexperienced personnel.

A good, local sharpener should give you great results at a reasonable cost. My local sharpener made my WWII better than it was from the factory.

[scott spencer]

My PC 7-1/4" "Razors" were on sale for somewhere in the range of 3 for $10....even at $9-$10 each, I don't think it'll be worth the time, gas (two trips), plus sharpening costs for blades of that cost and caliber....the carbide tips on those are pretty scrawny.

Decent blades that cost ~ $30 and up are typically worth sharpening but I wouldn't bother for most 7-1/4" blades.

[Ray Schafer]

I have to defer to Scott ... he has more info than I.

[scott spencer]

I have to defer to Scott ... he has more info than I.

It's really a judgement call Ray, but I wouldn't bother with any of the PC 7-1/4's...a 7-1/4" WWII you betcha though!

[glenn bradley]

Total cost of sharpening, plus travel cost, plus my time = Less than new by a decent amount and I sharpen. A $10 blade, I would replace; I'll probably be at the store for something else anyway so i didn't even make a special trip ;-)

[Peter Quadarella]

7 1/4" blades are too cheap to bother sharpening IMO.

[Von Bickley]

7 1/4" blades are too cheap to bother sharpening IMO.

I agree......:)

[Bruce Wrenn]

A good, local sharpener should give you great results at a reasonable cost. My local sharpener made my WWII better than it was from the factory. What! Didn't you know that only Forrest can sharpen a WWII properly? That is what they would have you believe and many also believe.