Thin Kerf vs Full Kerf Table Saw Blades: Which to Buy (October 2026)
Choose thin kerf for a saw with limited power or to reduce waste; choose full kerf when your saw supports the wider cut. Check blade fit and riving knife compatibility before buying.
On this page (6 sections)
- What changes in a thin kerf vs full kerf table saw blade?
- Which saw should use a thin kerf vs full kerf table saw blade?
- How do you match the blade to the riving knife?
- How should you set up and care for either blade?
- What mistakes should you avoid when choosing a blade?
- Which thin kerf or full kerf blade should you buy?
Choose thin kerf for a saw with limited power or to reduce waste; choose full kerf when your saw supports the wider cut. This thin kerf vs full kerf table saw blade comparison focuses on cut width, saw capacity, blade fit and the kind of ripping you do.
The Freud LU87R010 removes a 0.094-inch kerf, while the Freud LM72M010 removes a 0.126-inch kerf. Both are 10-inch, 24-tooth rip blades with 5/8-inch arbors.
A thinner kerf leaves less waste and asks the saw to remove less material on each pass. A wider kerf may suit a saw designed for it, but compatibility with the riving knife or splitter matters as much as power.
What changes in a thin kerf vs full kerf table saw blade?
Kerf is the width of the slot the blade cuts. A thin kerf removes less wood per pass than a full kerf blade, which can reduce waste and make ripping easier for a saw with limited power.
The two Freud blades differ by 0.032 inch in kerf width. That is a modest difference on one cut, but repeated rips can make the material savings add up.
The plate is the blade body, while the kerf is the wider cut made by the teeth. The LU87R010 has a 0.071-inch plate and 0.094-inch kerf; the LM72M010 has a 0.087-inch plate and 0.126-inch kerf.
How does a thin kerf vs full kerf table saw blade affect cutting?
A thin kerf usually asks the saw to remove less wood on each pass. This can help a lower-power saw keep moving through a rip, though it does not make every blade suitable for every saw or material.
Freud says the LU87R010’s thin kerf allows a faster feed rate and reduces waste. Feed at a steady pace that keeps the saw cutting smoothly, and do not force stock through a blade that is slowing down.
A full kerf blade removes more material. If your saw struggles with the cut, pause and check the setup, blade condition, stock and feed instead of pushing harder.
Does a full kerf blade make a cleaner cut?
Kerf width alone does not determine the finish. Tooth shape, blade sharpness, alignment, material and feed all affect the cut.
Both Freud blades have 24 flat-top teeth for ripping. Freud says the LM72M010’s extra-large flat teeth leave a smooth finish, and its anti-vibration slots reduce vibration and sideways movement.
Choose by the cut you need and the saw’s requirements, not by assuming a wider blade always leaves a better edge. For sheet goods, a blade designed for plywood may be a better fit; see our guide to the best plywood blades for table saws.
Which saw should use a thin kerf vs full kerf table saw blade?
Use only a blade your saw can power and whose dimensions and kerf match the manufacturer’s instructions. Check the manual for blade diameter, arbor size, allowed kerf and the riving knife or splitter requirements.
Both blades here are 10 inches in diameter and use a 5/8-inch arbor. Those shared measurements do not guarantee either blade fits every saw.
Thin kerf is a practical choice when the saw has limited power or you want to conserve material during repeated ripping. Full kerf is for a saw that supports the wider cut and has enough power for the work.
When is a thin kerf blade the right choice?
Choose thin kerf for lower-power saws, repeated rips or projects where reducing waste matters. Its narrower cut removes less wood, and Freud describes the LU87R010 as a thin kerf ripping blade for hard- and softwood.
The LU87R010 also has a 20-degree positive hook angle, which Freud says supports fast cutting and easy feeding in ripping applications. Its Perma-Shield coating is designed to reduce drag and help resist corrosion and pitch buildup.
This blade may not suit you if the manual calls for a different kerf, the riving knife cannot be matched to it, or your main work is crosscutting and sheet goods. A specialized rip blade is not a one-blade solution for every cut.
If you are unsure whether your saw has enough power for the stock you cut, read our guide to how much horsepower a home shop table saw needs. Motor capacity, blade choice and feed all affect a rip.
When is a full kerf blade the right choice?
Choose full kerf when your saw is designed for its wider cut and your work calls for a heavy-duty rip blade. The Freud LM72M010 has a thicker plate than the thin kerf model, plus anti-vibration slots.
Freud says those slots reduce vibration and sideways movement in the cut. Its Silver Ice coating resists corrosion and pitch buildup.
Skip this blade if your saw manual does not support its kerf, if the safety parts cannot be matched, or if your saw lacks the power for the work. A thicker plate by itself is not a reason to choose it.
How do you match the blade to the riving knife?
The riving knife or splitter must fit the blade plate and kerf. The blade plate must be thinner than the knife, and the knife must be thinner than the kerf so it can follow behind the teeth without binding.
Check the saw manual for approved combinations. Do not assume a knife made for a full kerf blade will work with a thin kerf blade, or vice versa.
Our guide explains what a riving knife does and how it differs from a splitter. If you are checking diameter and arbor size too, see what size blade your table saw takes.
How should you set up and care for either blade?
Install the blade with the saw unplugged, then follow the saw and blade manuals for mounting and adjustment. Confirm the blade direction, arbor fit, guard and riving knife or splitter before powering on.
Set the fence parallel to the blade as directed by your saw maker, and support long or wide stock so it stays controlled through the cut. Keep hands clear of the blade path and use the safety equipment required by the saw manual.
Pitch and residue can increase drag, so clean the blade using a method approved by the blade maker. Inspect the teeth and plate for damage, and replace or sharpen the blade when cutting quality or safe operation calls for it.
Do not use a blade that binds, wobbles or produces unusual vibration. Stop the saw, disconnect power, and check the installation and workpiece before continuing.
What mistakes should you avoid when choosing a blade?
The most common mistake is choosing by kerf alone. Diameter, arbor, saw capacity, riving knife fit and the cut you plan to make all matter.
A second mistake is treating thin kerf as a cure for every power problem. Dull teeth, misalignment, poor support or feeding too aggressively can still make a rip difficult.
Do not assume a rip blade is ideal for plywood, crosscuts or grooves. For grooves, consider a dado set only if your saw supports it; our guide to dado sets for table saws covers what to check.
Finally, do not select a full kerf blade just because its plate is thicker. Choose it only when the saw and safety setup support the complete blade.
Which thin kerf or full kerf blade should you buy?
Pick the Freud LU87R010 if your saw has limited power or you want to remove less wood per rip; pick the Freud LM72M010 if your saw supports a full kerf blade and you want its heavy-duty rip design. The right thin kerf vs full kerf table saw blade is the one that fits your manual, safety parts and work.
The LU87R010 is the clearer choice for reducing waste and cutting effort. The LM72M010 makes sense for a compatible saw where its wider kerf, thicker plate and anti-vibration slots suit the job.
Before buying, verify the blade diameter, arbor, kerf and riving knife fit against the saw manual. For more blade and accessory choices, explore our table saw blades and add-ons guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between thin kerf and full kerf?
Kerf is the width of material removed by the blade. The Freud thin kerf rip blade cuts a 0.094-inch kerf, while the full kerf model cuts 0.126 inch.
A thinner cut removes less wood and asks less of the saw, but the blade must match the riving knife or splitter.
Is a thin kerf blade better for a small table saw?
A thin kerf blade can suit a saw with limited power because it removes less material. Still, check the saw manual for supported blade dimensions and confirm the riving knife or splitter matches the blade kerf.
A thinner blade does not make an incompatible setup safe.
Can you use a thin kerf blade with a full kerf riving knife?
Only if the saw maker allows that combination and the knife remains thicker than the blade plate but thinner than the kerf. The plate and kerf differ: this thin kerf blade has a 0.071-inch plate and 0.094-inch kerf.
Check the manual rather than guessing.
Does a full kerf blade make a better cut?
Kerf width alone does not determine cut quality. Tooth shape, sharpness, alignment, feed and material all matter.
The Freud full kerf rip blade has 24 flat-top teeth and anti-vibration slots, while the thin kerf rip blade also has 24 flat-top teeth.
Can you use a thin kerf blade for ripping hardwood?
Yes, if the blade is rated for the material and the saw setup is compatible. The Freud LU87R010 is a 10-inch, 24-tooth rip blade for hard- and softwood, with a 0.094-inch kerf.
Feed steadily and follow the saw and blade makers’ safety instructions.
