Cold Saw Blade
Tooth Guide
Every HSS cold saw blade comes down to two choices, made in this order: the tooth profile, then the top grind. Here is exactly how we pick both when we spec and sharpen blades in Anna, Texas.
This guide covers HSS cold saw blades for steel on a wet cold saw. Cermet and carbide-tipped blades for high-speed and CNC saws use different geometry. For those, see the Cermet Blade Calculator.
Three steps, in order
Jump to any step.
Same thing, different names
The industry uses several names for the same thing. We always list them together so nothing gets mixed up on an order.
| Term we use | Also called |
|---|---|
| Tooth profile | Tooth form, side profile, back shape |
| Top grind | Geometry, grind |
| Curved back tooth with chamfer | Standard cold saw tooth |
| Straight back tooth | A form, A grind |
| BW | Alternate bevel |
| C | HZ, TCG (triple chip grind), rougher and finisher |
| BR | Notch grind, chip breaker |
| Pitch | Tooth spacing, tip-to-tip distance |
01Tooth profile
The tooth profile is the shape of each tooth seen from the side. It is cut into the blade first, before the top grind.
Curved back tooth with chamfer (standard cold saw tooth)
Used on every HSS blade for a low-speed wet cold saw running flood coolant. We choose it automatically for those saws.
Steel, stainless, most ferrous work
Straight back tooth (A form, A grind)
A straight line from the gullet to the tip. Used for non-ferrous, plastic and PVC work only.
Non-ferrous, plastic, PVC only02Tooth count and pitch
Tell us what you are cutting: material, shape, size, wall thickness, and your saw. Pick the tooth count from the wall thickness and shape in our cold saw blade tooth calculator. Then work out the pitch (tooth spacing): the blade circumference divided by the tooth count.
Don't know your tooth count? Find it in the tooth calculator first.
03Top grind
The top grind is ground onto the top of each tooth after the tooth profile is cut. For steel, the pitch decides it.
B (flat top)
BW (alternate bevel)
C (HZ / TCG)
Each drawing looks straight down the blade at two teeth in a row.
B (flat top)
Every tooth flat across the top and the same height.
Very tight pitchBW (alternate bevel)
Every tooth the same height, one corner beveled, alternating left and right. Each tooth cuts about half the kerf.
Pitch under 4.0 mmC (HZ / TCG)
A roughing tooth with both corners chamfered, ground 2% of the pitch taller than a flat finishing tooth.
Pitch 4.0 mm and upBR (notch grind / chip breaker)
Flat teeth, all the same height, with a notch that alternates left and right to give coolant a path through the cut. Typical wall 1.5 to 2.5 mm (0.060" to 0.100"). Ground in house.
Automatic saws with higher RPM onlyA (straight back tooth)
Flat top, no bevels, on the straight back tooth profile.
Non-ferrous onlyAW (A form with alternate bevel)
The A tooth with the whole top beveled, alternating side to side.
Non-ferrous onlyBW vs C (HZ / TCG)
These two top grinds cover most steel cutting.
BW (alternate bevel)
- What it is
- Every tooth the same height. Each tooth has one corner beveled, alternating left, right, left, right around the blade. The chip splits two ways.
- Why it works
- Small, light chips and low load per tooth. Teeth enter a thin wall cleanly with less vibration and less burr.
- Use it for
- Thin-wall tube, structural profiles, angle and channel, pitch under 4.0 mm.
- Where it falls short
- Solids and heavy wall. The square corner of every tooth takes the full load and wears early.
C (HZ / TCG)
- What it is
- The roughing tooth stands 2% of the pitch higher with both corners chamfered and cuts the center. The finishing tooth sits lower, flat across, and cleans out the corners. The chip splits three ways.
- Why it works
- Each chip is narrower than the kerf, so it clears the gullet instead of packing. Two teeth share the load and the corners are protected, so the blade takes a heavier feed per tooth.
- Use it for
- Solid bar, thick-wall tube, larger cross sections, tougher alloys, pitch 4.0 mm and up.
- Where it falls short
- Very thin wall on fine pitch, where the teeth are too small for the split to pay off.
Side by side
BW and C compared point for point.
| BW (alternate bevel) | C (HZ / TCG) | |
|---|---|---|
| Tooth heights | All the same | Rougher 2% of pitch taller than finisher |
| Chip | Split two ways | Split three ways |
| Best material | Thin-wall tube, profiles | Solids, thick wall |
| Pitch (tooth spacing) | Under 4.0 mm | 4.0 mm and up |
| Strength | Clean entry, finish, low burr | Load sharing, chip control, heavier feed |
| Watch out for | Corner wear on solids | Little gain on thin wall |
FAQ
Common questions about tooth profile, pitch, and top grind.
What is the difference between tooth profile and top grind on a cold saw blade?
When should a cold saw blade use C grind (HZ / TCG) instead of BW (alternate bevel)?
How do you calculate cold saw blade pitch?
How much taller is the roughing tooth on a C grind (HZ / TCG) blade?
What is BR notch grind (chip breaker) used for?
Not sure what you need?
Tell us the material, shape, size, wall thickness and saw. We will spec the tooth profile, tooth count and top grind for you. Call (855) 729-7732 or email info@coldsawshop.com.