Circular saws are great for making precise, straight cuts in wood, plastic, metal and other materials, especially if you have a lot of cuts to make.
Most circular saws are sold with a universal blade that will cut most materials adequately. But for better results you will want to buy extra circular saw blades; saw blades that are made specifically for each material you are cutting.
Here we are going to focus on plywood. We are going to help you choose the best circular saw blade for plywood to give you the best results in your plywood cuts.
Plywood is comprised of several thin layers of wood bonded together with the grain of the wood alternating by 90-degrees in each layer. This allows plywood to be flexible while having a very good strength to size ratio.
But it also presents problems when cutting as it is very easy to end up with rough edges. The thin layers can tear, and while you are cutting across the grain of some layers, you are simultaneously cutting with the grain of the other layers.
But don’t worry, with the correct circular saw blade you will get great results.
We’ve done the hard work for you and found a mix of the best circular saw blades for plywood available for handheld circular saws.
If you are unsure of some of the terminology used in the specifications we’ve added a handy FAQ section after our reviews.
COMPARISON CHART
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
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1. Freud Diablo DO641X 6-½” Finishing Saw Blade
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2. Lshuziyu 7-¼“ 60T Saw Blade
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3. Porter-Cable 4-½“ Circular saw Blade
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4. DeWalt DW3326 7-¼“ Saw Blade
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5. Avanti 5-½“ 100T Plywood Saw Blade
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1. Freud Diablo DO641X 6-½” Finishing Saw Blade
Specification
| Brand | Freud |
| Number of Teeth | 40 |
| Blade | 6-½ inch |
Features
- Ultra-Thin kerf40 Teeth ATB blade
- Hi-Density Titanium Cobalt carbide lasts up to 4 times longer than standard carbide
- Perma-Shield coating for less friction
- Laser Cut Stabilizer vents and Expansion slots
The Freud brand is one of the top-rated manufacturers of saw blades and its Diablo range is very popular with professionals and DIYers alike.
This durable 6-½” circular saw blade features an Ultra-thin 40 tooth coated blade that delivers fast and effortless cutting through plywood.
Made of Hi-Density carbide with Tri-Metal Shock Resistant Brazing for better impact resistance this blade is much longer lasting than most saw blades, even compared to standard carbide blades.
What We Like
The Diablo D04641X has all the features you would want in a circular saw blade to give you precise, straight, no tear cuts. The vents reduce grab and vibration, and it will last much longer than standard blades.
The Diablo definitely gives your circular saw an upgrade. Knives and butter are often mentioned in describing this circular saw blade.
What We Don’t Like
The saw blade is built for multiple uses so the tooth count of 40 could seem a little low for a plywood saw blade. If you are mainly cutting thin plywood you may be better with another saw blade with a higher tooth count.
However, it still produces excellent results on plywood so for most uses it is a great choice for a quality saw blade that is versatile and durable.
PROS
- Smooth cuts
- Accurate
- Long lasting
- Lower noise
CONS
- 40 teeth
2. Lshuziyu 7-¼“ 60T Saw Blade
Specification
| Brand | LSHUZIYU |
| Number of Teeth | 60 Teeth ATB |
| Blade | 7-¼ inch |
| Arbor | ⅝ inch |
| Kerf | 1/16 inch |
Features
- ⅝ “ Arbor with Diamond Washer
- Tungsten Carbide
- Teflon Coated Blade
This Lshuziyu 7-¼“ saw blade also has a host of features on a par with the Diablo D0641X. It has vents, tungsten carbide blade tips and a super thin kerf.
As well as great results on plywood it is also suitable for hardwood, laminate and MDF amongst other materials.
What We Like
The list of features on this circular saw blade makes it another great choice for a long-lasting blade that produces quality results. Also featuring vents to reduce expansion, grabbing and vibration, coupled with a thin blade to make long straight cuts more precise, quiet and efficient.
What We Don’t Like
There’s not much to not like about this saw blade except perhaps you may not need such a top-quality blade, so a lower cost option may be better for you.
PROS
- Super Thin Blade
- Fine cuts
- Reduced chipping and tear out
- Multi-Purpose
CONS
- Maybe more features than you needls not included.
- You may prefer a more well-known brand
3. Porter-Cable 4-½“ Circular saw Blade
Specification
| Brand | PORTER-CABLE |
| Number of Teeth | 120 |
| Blade | 4-½ inch |
| Arbor | ⅜ inch |
Features
- Cuts veneer
Porter-Cable is a US brand that has been around for over 100 years and is now part of the renowned Stanley Black & Decker empire so you can be assured of a quality product.
This smaller blade with a ⅜“ arbor is useful for more intricate, detailed cuts.
What We Like
The high tooth count of this Porter-Cable saw blade produces fine, clean cuts in plywood and veneers. Its smaller size is good for more intricate jobs.
A budget price makes it good value for basic use.
What We Don’t Like
This blade is better suited for smaller jobs so isn’t really suitable for pros or large jobs as it will wear out and blunt more quickly than other blades.
However, for occasional jobs on plywood it is a good low-cost option that still produces sharp edges on top and bottom surfaces.
PROS
- Fine cuts
- Sharp edges
- Small
- Budget choice
CONS
- No vents
- Not coated
4. DeWalt DW3326 7-¼“ Saw Blade
Specification
| Brand | DEWALT |
| Number of Teeth | 140 |
| Blade | 7-¼ inch |
| Arbor | ⅝ inch |
Features
- Hardened Steel
- Hollow Ground Teeth
- Coated Blade
This DeWalt DW3326 Hollow Ground Circular Saw Blade has an extremely high 140 tooth count for fine cutting with Hollow Ground teeth for smoother cuts on plywood and melamine.
What We Like
The 140 teeth count of this blade is amongst the highest of circular saw blades so you are sure of fine cuts with this saw blade.
As well as plywood it is also well suited for melamine and other thin coated materials because chipping is reduced with the fine hollow ground blades.
What We Don’t Like
The De Walt DW3326 saw blade is one of the more basic circular saw blades, with no vents, and no carbide tips. It may not last as long as other blades and is better suited for thinner materials.
PROS
- 140 tooth count
- Fine cuts
- Reduced chipping and tear out
- Good for melamine too
CONS
- Shorter life
- May cause burn
5. Avanti 5-½“ 100T Plywood Saw Blade
Specification
| Brand | Avanti |
| Number of Teeth | 100 |
| Blade | 5-½ inch |
| Arbor | 10mm |
The Avanti is another lower-cost option but is still a popular and highly rated circular saw blade for plywood.
It is a smaller 5-½” saw blade with an impressive 100 teeth.
What We Like
The 5-½ “ size is good for smaller jobs but still capable of longer cuts and with 100 teeth it creates smooth edges.
What We Don’t Like
The 10mm arbor with no diamond knock out may limit the saws you can use it on.
PROS
- Good 100 tooth count
- Fine cuts
- Budget price
- Plywood specific blade
CONS
- Arbor Size
- Basic features
FAQ/Buyers Guide
Why is the number of teeth important?
The greater the number of teeth, the smaller the chips that will be taken out of the wood. This is better for plywood to leave a smoother edge.
What is Kerf?
Kerf is the width of the cutting part of the blade, so equates to the width of cut in the wood. A thin kerf generally means an easier passage through the wood. However, a thin blade is less rigid so can move and flex more. The ideal blade is a thin and hardened blade.
What are Cross Cut and Rip Cut?
A cross cut is a cut across the grain of the wood, like cutting off the end of a floorboard. A rip cut is cutting in line with the grain of the wood, like making a board narrower. Due to the composition of plywood, cutting it involves both cross and rip cuts.
What is the Arbor?
The arbor hole is the hole in the center of a circular saw blade where the blade attaches to the saw. The arbor size of the blade needs to match your circular saw arbor size, although in some cases you can use an adaptor.
A diamond arbor is a diamond-shaped arbor that helps prevent slipping in the rotation of the blade.
Some blades have a knockout diamond arbor. This is a circular hole with an extra partly cut-out diamond shape around it that you can knock out to use as a diamond arbor instead of the circular one.
What are Expansion Slots/Vents?
They are cutouts in the blade that allow for expansion as the blade gets hot. This allows the blade to expand without warping and jamming in the cut.
What are Stabilizer Vents?
They are similar to expansion slots but they are snake-shaped vents that help reduce vibration and noise.
What does ATB mean?
ATB stands for Alternate Top Bevel. It means the teeth of the blade are beveled alternately to either side of the blade.
This makes cutting cleaner as it reduces chipping and splintering which is especially useful for cutting plywood.
Conclusion
It’s a very close call between 1 and 2 on our list, the Diablo D0641X and the Lshuziyu 7-¼“ saw blade as they both have all the premium features you could want in a circular saw blade, without paying much more than you would for a basic budget saw blade. For you, it may come down to which blade size is best for you.
In the end, we’d say the best circular saw blade for plywood is the Diablo as it is an extremely popular and highly rated brand of saw blade.
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I am a woodworker with over 19 years of experience crafting everything from furniture to ornamental pieces. I take pride in my ability to bring out the beauty of the wood I work with, creating unique and lasting objects. My passion for woodworking has been a life-long pursuit and I strive to push myself further and further with each new project. I am dedicated to the craft and take great satisfaction in the final product that I create.Read More.
