Back in 2012, Irwin Tools launched a new line of circular saw blades—and they did it in Italy. They manufacture the blades overseas (and continue to do so as far as we’re aware). Our friend Robert Robillard from AConcordCarpenter.com was there to check it out first hand. Between his excellent reporting, the official news release, and our use of the products afterward, these blades hit the market with a lot of momentum. Irwin Marples circular saw blades are designed to be high-performance, precision laser cut, thin-kerf blades that will come out under the well-known and highly-regarded Marples brand. Given the kerf and tooth configuration and design of the Irwin Marples circular saw blades, these are clearly intended for carpenters and custom wood craftsmen as opposed to framers.
Editor’s Note: Check out our best miter saw article for our top recommendations.
Material Cutting Chart for Irwin Marples Circular Saw Blades
Check out this material cutting chart with size and application recommendations:
The blades cover a wide variety of applications—from fine cross-cutting to laminates and dados. They also come in sizes ranging from 10- to 12-inch diameters as well as an 8-inch dado stack.
Irwin Marples Circular Saw Blades Features
Irwin Marples circular saw blades are hardly run-of-the-mill (pun intended). They feature oversized carbide teeth that can be resharpened as well as a coating that is designed to reduce and more quickly dissipate heat and prevent gumming. That means your cuts will be cleaner. When using a table saw, you can also maintain your feed speed when pushing wood through the blade. The blades come in several sizes to meet most applications. You can purchase the 10-inch diameter blades with 24-, 40-, 50-, 60-, 80- or 84-tooth count. 12-inch diameter blades come in 40-, 60-, 80-, 96-, and 100-tooth count varieties. Irwin also has an 8-inch 5-blade stacked dado set.
The Woodworking Series of Irwin Marples circular saw blades were a big move for Irwin. Previously, they had really only targeted the construction market. Irwin hadn’t really tackled the trim carpenter, furniture maker, or cabinet guys. Now they’ve just about locked up the entire woodworking industry—at least in terms of who they can effectively serve.
Final Thoughts
Irwin doesn’t just “slap on their label” way that many companies operate. Back in 2011, Irwin connected with Piergiorgio Pozzo whose family was very integrated with Freud Tools. That’s a great legacy. Though Pozzo hasn’t been with Freud since 2005, he operated FLAI, an Italian company manufacturing high-end saw blades right in Italy. Irwin Tools acquired FLAI in March of 2012, also bringing within the organization, Marples Saw Blades.
Woodworking pros can find Irwin Marples circular saw blades in Lowe’s home improvement warehouse stores or online at Amazon and other retailers. Pricing ranges from just $28 all the way to $100 or more.
