Freud America LM72R010: 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

The only reason I don’t give it a five is because it is your baseline industrial blade. There are better blades, but much more expensive. However, this is by far my favorite blade for my saw. The goals are large enough to make it easy to sharpen using a 5 inch diamond disc. I can make a a fruit industrial ripping blade last longer than any other blade that I ever had. It really comes down to the gullet. Sharpening a blade with anything smaller would be extremely dangerous, but for my purposes, I given it an A+. You can check out your forest woodworker and spend all that extra money on a premium blade have I stick with the Freud 24 inch ripping blade.

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.

Outstanding blade. Clean cuts , no tearing on plywood.

This thing is a beast. This is from Freud's commercial line of blades. The blade is made in Italy ...a refreshing change of pace from all the Chinesium tools on the market. The carbide cutting tips are robust and big, measuring 1/16" in thickness/kerf width. The blade is rock steady under power and in use. Providing your table saw is in good tune, this blade cuts an accurate, edge-glue ready finish; smooth as if you ran it through a jointer. The blade is no more noisier than any other blade ...but then I wear hearing protection so this isn't a factor for me. Best of all, the price on these blades is surprisingly reasonable for the quality and performance you get. I'm sold on Freud. Highly recommended.

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.