Freud LM72M010: 10" Heavy-Duty Rip Blade

I’ve used excellent (Forrest) combination and fine crosscut blades for decades, but never a dedicated ripping blade. This was my first rip blade and my first from Freud. The blade rips more easily than a combination blade and leaves a smooth, glue line ready surface which is noticeably a better edge than a combination blade. I love it, but boy this blade is loud. It produces a high pitched whine like nothing I’ve heard before with combination blades, but since I always wear ear protection anyway, this seems a good trade-off for excellent cut quality. The price is less than half what other premium blades cost, which is good for a specialty blade that’s only suitable for one purpose (rip cuts) and I suppose you’d use it only for that, then switch back to a combination or other blade for general purpose work. Recommended. Update 2/24/2025: I commented in my original review above that the blade was probably only suitable for rip cuts and you’d need to change it for crosscuts. Well . . . I was too lazy to keep doing that, so I’ve used it many times now for crosscuts and I can’t see any significant difference in cut quality between this blade and my usual combination blade. I expected bad crosscut quality, but didn’t get it. The blade is very sharp, so (at this point anyway) it produces no cross-cut splintering.

Most recent purchase Sep 2020: Two years after the first purchase, I bought a second LM72R010 to have on hand when I send the first one out to be sharpened. Not that it needs it. After two years of near-daily use, it still performs as new. I've cleaned it with Sprayway Pitch & Gum Remover, but nothing more. Shortly after the earlier review, I purchased a 3hp cabinet saw. I use the blade for ripping, and general joinery (because of the FTG). I recently cut a bunch of mitered picture frame parts, and forgot to change the blade to an 80T Amana. Woops. Didn't matter though, because the crosscuts were perfect. The listing photo confused me at first, because both my blades have anti-kickback shoulders that are different than the photo. The manufacturer site has the same photo as the listing, so I guess it's a fairly recent change, and sellers still have the older design in stock. I've attached a photo of my new blade - which is the same as my old one. First purchase Sep 2018: The first job for this blade (LM72R010) was to rip 120 bf of 8/4 hard maple, for a workbench build. The table saw was a lightweight Dewalt jobsite model (7490X), with a LOT of vibration caused by thin aluminum construction, and universal motor attached directly to the arbor. Given this, I expected good-not-great performance from any blade, even one as nice, and new, as this one. Well heck... I hardly had to push the 8/4 maple through the blade. It just gobbled it up. No burning. The cut edge was glue-ready, completely clean and smooth, without a blade mark anywhere. One amazing blade...

These are really good, sharp and long lasting blades.

Great blade, works with my 8 1/4” Dewalt table saw. Just note that the blade is 8” so the riving knife won’t work here. Also thicker than the stock blade so account for that

I’ve previously used the more basic Diablo D1024X ripping blade, and was somewhat underwhelmed by its performance. This LM72R010 definitely performs better and is a full kerf blade, which prevents me from having to adjust the ruler on my saw fence when switching between this and other full kerf blades, like the LU84R011 that I use for general use. It also has beefy carbides suitable for resharpening. This blade’s disk runout is about 0.04 mm. After adjusting my 3hp sawstop to be running true in all parameters to 0.01 to 0.02mm, the resulting kerf from this blade is quite adequate for glue ups of dissimilar wood colors that hide the glue line, but if you are gluing two light colored woods like maple together, I’ve found the need to re-joint and/or plane the glue faces to minimize the glue line. If you intend to do precision woodworking like end grain cutting boards, plan to touch up the sawn surface after ripping, but if you are doing projects that use of a tape measures instead of calipers, you’ll probably be quite happy with this blade. Cutting 2-1/2 inch thick maple on my 3 hp saw, I am able to keep it moving plenty fast to prevent any burning and not big down the saw.

Outstanding blade. Clean cuts , no tearing on plywood.

I bought this blade as a quick and simple alternative to a dado set to make flat-bottom rabbet & dado cuts for boxes & drawers using multiple passes on a table saw. The Flat Tooth Grind (FTG) does this job very nicely. Most blades seem to have alternating bevel teeth that leave a "V" or "W" shape at the bottom of the kerf, but this does not. The high hook angle (20 deg) cuts wood cleanly but would not be good for materials like plastic that tend to grab. Excellent for my purpose.

Excellent blade

Very heavy duty saw blade. Very clean cuts Just what I require. I have had it resharpened after much use, lots of carbide still to do a few more .

This is one of the few reasonably priced flat top grind blades I've been able to find that will fit the DeWalt 7485, and it performs perfectly for through-cuts or partial thickness cuts.

High value price–performance ratio because of its outstanding quality (cost-quality ratio).

The Freud LM72M010 Industrial Heavy Duty Rip Saw Blade is a powerhouse for those needing a reliable, precise, and heavy-duty blade for ripping applications. Here’s my experience using it: Pros: Cut Quality: This blade delivers impressively clean and precise cuts through hardwood, softwood, and composite materials alike. The flat top grind is a big plus for straight and even rips, which minimizes splintering and tearing. Durability: Made with Freud’s TiCo Hi-Density Carbide, the blade withstands high-intensity jobs, keeping its sharpness even after extensive use. This is especially beneficial for those who regularly work with dense or abrasive woods. Ice Coating: Freud’s Ice coating really does reduce friction and heat buildup, which prevents gumming and keeps the blade cooler, extending its life. This coating is ideal for long cutting sessions and heavier jobs. Compatibility: With a standard 5/8-inch arbor, the blade fits well on most table saws. The 10-inch diameter and 24-tooth configuration strike a great balance between speed and control, giving smooth cuts without sacrificing power. Cons: Limited Versatility: This is primarily a ripping blade, which means crosscutting and finer work won’t yield the same high-quality results. It’s designed for those who need a dedicated rip blade, so it may not be the best choice for general-purpose use. Noise: The aggressive cut can be a bit noisy compared to higher-tooth alternatives, so ear protection is a good idea. Verdict: For anyone looking to make quick, precise rips in tough materials, the Freud LM72M010 is an outstanding choice. It’s a solid investment for professionals and serious woodworkers who need a reliable, heavy-duty blade that lasts. Just keep in mind its rip-focused design and the extra noise, and you’ll be more than satisfied with its performance.