Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - Saw blade brands matter much?

So what's the difference between say an Oldham to a Diablo blade? Specifically speaking for table/miter saws. Is paying almost double worth it?

Saw blade quality can make a tremendous difference and well worth the extra money for the Pro
Is it worth it for occasional use?
Eh....probably not

It's impossible to compare one blade to another just by the brand name. I would be willing to bet that the average DIY'er would not be able to tell the difference between the two blades you mentioned if they are of the exact same type. Although the old adage usually holds true, "you get what you pay for."

There are hundreds of different blade configurations. Number of teeth, type of grind, type of carbide, kerf thickness, plate thickness, degree of hook, anti-vibration and stabilization qualities, plate coatings, etc.

What makes one blade better than another is thus very difficult to pinpoint by just a brand name. It has more to do with any number of factors, plus the quality with which it is made... whether it can be resharpened or whether it's a throw-away blade. My guess is that both blades you are looking at are throw-away blades, meaning it would cost you more to have them professionally sharpened than what the blade is worth.

Hello: snapshotmd

Both brands are excellent. Personally have more expierences with OLDHAM, as a professional sharpener. Oldham rates equally in high quality with other brands like Vermont American, Milwaukee and many others costing as much.

And I do agree with slickshift. "Saw blade quality can make a tremendous difference and well worth the extra money for the Pro."

There is a huge difference in quality of steel used, precision during manufacturing and in the grade of carbide, if the blades are carbide. Lesser qualities, in steel or carbide, from any high quality brand manufacturer like those noted above, get the brand names of lower cost blades.

Much depends upon what the blade is used for. Cabinet building? Professional usage or just hobby usage? Cutting high grade & expensive hardwoods where a true final finished cut is required or just cutting plywood and/or any other lower quality wood or metal? You did not state the intended blade usage(s).

And I also agree with XSleeper. "you get what you pay for." Again, much depends upon the intended usage, which is not stated. Kindly do so.

As it pertains to resharpening costs, usually about 1/3 or so of the original cost for a carbide blade. Which can be resharpened about 5 times, if not overly used or damaged between sharpenings. Same generally applies to steel blades. Another aspect not stated. Which type? Carbide or steel????

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Regards and Good Luck, Sharp Advice.
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I use a 40 tooth Diablo in my skillsaw. Longest lasting blades i've bought in years. The first Diablo I bought I cut 150 year old wood with it for 2 months straight every day 8 and 10 hrs a day before I had to change it out with a new one. Diablo earned me as a customer right then.

The longest lasting and quietest blades I've used (table and circular saw) are "Freud" brand. :coffee:

The Diablo blade is one of Freud's blades. thinner kerf, made for the contractor, remodeller... I suppose with the intent of being used heavily and not being sharpened? SharpAdvice could tell us what the average cost would be to sharpen a 10" 40 tooth carbide. I see they sell new in catalogs for $33.