A closer look at CMT Orange Tools saw blades
There’s no shortage of material when covering the world of power tools. Moreover, our interpretation of what qualifies as a tool is often a limited one. In other words, when we use the term tool, we’re referring to a saw, a drill, or countless other implements. But the fact is that their accessories themselves are also tools, and just as much effort goes into their design. Great examples are the saw blades from CMT Orange Tools.
I know, you’re thinking, “‘Okay, so what. A saw blade is a saw blade.'”
But is it?
Recently, I sat down with Pieregiorgio Pozzo, CMT’s director of research and development, who also holds multiple saw blade patents. We discussed the technology and innovation behind the company’s products and how they influence the user’s experience and the quality of their work.
So, are all saw blades created equal?
CMT Saw Blades – Made in Italy
Going back to its origins, CMT began as a router and boring bit manufacturer, which Pozzo says is still its core strength. However, its product fleet has evolved over the years, expanding into the saw blade landscape.
Originally, the Italian-based manufacturer outsourced its blades, but roughly five years ago, that changed. According to Pozzo, the folks at CMT decided they wanted to have stronger quality control and a hands-on manufacturing process.
“We needed a fresh approach to manufacturing,” he explains. “And, my team and I were able to bring that to the company.”
A Wealth of Experience
Pozzo has an impressive background that substantiates his confidence and abilities.
Naturally, he has extensive experience in engineering. Pozzo was originally part owner of his family’s company, Freud Tools, which they ultimately sold to Bosch. Subsequently, he embarked on a career that took him to all corners of the industry. This includes tenures with the Irwin Industrial Tool Company, Stanley Black & Decker, and Diablo, where he designed a range of saw blades and retooled its manufacturing process.
CMT Saw Blades – What Makes Them Stand Out
Earlier, I raised the matter of whether a saw blade is a saw blade. After chatting with Pozzo, I have to say, that’s hardly the case. The amount of research and technology that goes into developing and producing CMT products is significant.
Perhaps the best way to illustrate this is by highlighting one of the brand’s standout blades.
CMT ORANGE TOOLS 007 LICENSE TO CUT XTREME DEMOLITION BLADE
Here at PTR, we put our hands on tons of tools and accessories, and this includes CMT’s line of saw blades. The CMT License to Cut Xtreme Demolition Blade is a great example; in fact, it won the 2023 Pro Tool Innovation Award for circular saw blades.
One of its unique facets is the low-mass plate design—a patented feature that reduces the blade’s overall mass. Actually, according to Pozzo, the plate is perhaps the most important part of the overall design. That said, the low-mass plate minimizes heat and boosts cutting efficiency. (That’s the point of the cutouts.) The result is more cuts per charge.
Applications
- Demolition
- Clean lumber
- Lumber with nails
- Pressure-treated lumber
- Plywood
- OSB
- Plasterboard
Another notable feature is its secured tooth geometry, which CMT designed to handle impacts with nails better than its competitors. Specifically, it contains brazed blade tips that give them a stronger resistance to shearing on nail strikes.
Additionally, the distance from the rear of each segment to the tooth creates a gullet that’s smaller than framing nails can fit between. This design ensures that the blade can cut more nails and last longer under tough cutting conditions.
And, finally, their proprietary coating, Orange Shield, prevents sticking and keeps the blade cooler.
Good Ingredients, Solid Saw Blades
I also had a few “burning” questions for Pozzo regarding ingredients – namely carbide. First used to make armor-piercing ammunition during World War II, this compound is a critical component in CMT’s saw blades.
Pozzo and his design team have long put an enormous amount of effort into enhancing their blades’ impact resistance. That’s not much of a surprise. However, the results that they achieved are noteworthy.
According to Pozzo, by adding carbide to the recipe, he and his design team saw a 30% boost in impact resistance. That’s a respectable number. However, when they combined carbide’s properties with other innovative design elements (like the secured tooth geometry and gullets on the 007), the saw blades’ resistance increased tenfold.
Cutting With Purpose – The Moral of the Story
Why do I bring all of this up? Because a blade isn’t simply a blade, and they’re not created equal. Indeed, Pozzo and his design team consider both the cutting challenges at hand and the performance demands jobs place on a saw. The ability to cut alone … well, it just won’t cut it. In covering CMT’s product releases and putting them to the test, we’ve seen first-hand what separates the good from the bad and the ugly.
And based on our research and our conversations with Pozzo, we know what goes into making them.
Rest assured, this is by no means marketing jargon, but rather the culmination of observation and experience. We’ve tested multiple CMT saw blades, and we’ve explored the company’s systematic approach to design. In our staff’s opinion, it’s generally quite impressive.
In an age of battery-powered solutions, runtime is a serious concern. When it comes to a contractor’s budget, blade life matters, as does cutting speed and efficiency. All of these factors, along with cut quality, define what a good saw blade is.
So, the next time you fire up your saw, remember that there’s a ton of innovation spinning around in there.
You should also check out our tour of the CMT Orange Tools Zero Gravity Framing Blade.
