DeWalt 8-1/4 in. 24-Tooth Circular Saw Blade

Why I reached for this 8-1/4-in 24T blade

I picked up this 8-1/4-in 24T DeWalt blade primarily for fast framing cuts and general jobsite work where speed and clean-enough edges matter more than cabinet-grade finishes. The size is a bit niche—common on compact jobsite table saws and certain circular saws with the capacity—so having a tough, thin-kerf option in this diameter is useful. DeWalt positions it as a general wood blade that can handle the occasional nail, with a thin plate, anti-stick coating, and vibration-damping slots.

Over several days, I ran it through SPF 2x lumber, pressure-treated stock, OSB, and a few sheets of plywood, using both a cordless saw and a compact table saw. Here’s how it performed and what I learned.

Setup and compatibility notes

The blade dropped onto a standard 5/8-in arbor with no fuss and ran true out of the box—no visible wobble and no obvious manufacturing burrs. The anti-stick coating is evenly applied; it will scuff in use, but it helps shed pitch initially.

One important detail: kerf. DeWalt markets this as a thin-kerf blade, and my calipers measured the cut width right around 0.071–0.074 in (≈1.8–1.9 mm) in pine. That’s genuinely thin. If your table saw’s riving knife is around 0.090–0.100 in, this blade will not play nicely unless you can swap to a matching thin riving knife. On a saw where I couldn’t change the riving knife, the blade pinched in the cut. On a second saw with the correct thin splitter, it ran perfectly.

I wish the kerf were clearly printed on the blade or packaging. It’s critical for safety and compatibility, and on this size—used frequently on compact saws with fixed riving knives—it matters even more.

Cutting speed and power draw

With only 24 teeth and a thin plate, this blade is built for speed. Ripping 2x SPF with a cordless saw, feed rates were quick and the motor felt less strained than with a full-kerf general-purpose blade. On the compact table saw, I could keep a steady, assertive feed without bogging. The thin kerf does what it’s supposed to: removes less material, which translates into lower load and a bit more runtime on cordless tools. The runtime benefit isn’t dramatic, but it’s noticeable when you’re pushing through a stack of studs.

Edge quality and tear-out

• Rips in 2x construction lumber: Clean, straight, and plenty smooth for framing and general carpentry. End grain looked crisp with minimal fuzz.
• Crosscuts in 2x: Slightly more roughness than a 40T blade, as expected, but still acceptable for jobsite work.
• Plywood (birch and pine): On crosscuts, I saw minor tear-out on the exit face, more pronounced with fast feeds. A zero-clearance insert and slower feed improved things. If you need furniture-grade edges in sheet goods, step up to a 40T–60T blade.
• OSB and subfloor: No drama. The blade tracked straight and stayed cool.

Given the tooth count, the finish is better than I expected on most softwoods, but this blade is not designed for fine cabinetry. It’s a strong all-rounder for framing, decking, and general dimension work.

Hitting nails and staying sharp

I tested the “nail-embedded” claim the way these things usually get tested by accident: I caught a couple of brads and one ring-shank hidden in reclaimed stock. The blade didn’t stall or kick, and I didn’t see any cracked teeth. Under a loupe, I could spot a micro-chip on one carbide tip but nothing that affected the cut quality afterward. The reinforced shoulders and carbide grade seem well chosen for occasional impacts. If you regularly chew through demo lumber with many fasteners, a demolition-specific blade with more aggressive shoulders may still be the better call. For incidental hits, this blade held up well.

After a week of mixed use, the edge remained sharp enough to rip clean, and pitch buildup was modest—more on that below.

Vibration, noise, and tracking

The body slots do their job. On both saws, startup and cut-in were smooth with minimal hum. There’s less singing at speed than budget blades in the same class, and the blade tracked true on long rips without wandering. I could force a slight deflection if I fed too fast in wet pressure-treated 2x, but that’s typical for thin-kerf plates. Keep the feed consistent and let the teeth do the work.

Anti-stick coating and cleanliness

DeWalt’s coating reduces drag and, initially, pitch buildup. In resinous pine, I noticed less pitch on the plate compared to an uncoated blade. After a few dozen cuts, the coating in the high-contact areas scuffed, which is normal. Cleaning with a standard blade cleaner brought it back without any flaking.

The net benefit is a cooler-running blade and a bit less push effort, especially useful on cordless saws and during long ripping sessions.

Durability and tooth integrity

The carbide tips are well-brazed and uniform. I didn’t see any cracked brazes or loose teeth after moderate abuse. Edge retention is solid for a 24T general-purpose blade—better than bargain blades and in line with what I expect from DeWalt in this category. For everyday construction use, it should last a good while before sharpening. If you do hit metal, plan on a slight performance dip but not a throwaway.

Practical trade-offs

• Tooth count vs finish: 24T gives you speed and lower load, at the expense of ultra-fine crosscuts. That’s the right trade for framing and general carpentry.
• Thin kerf vs stiffness: You gain efficiency and runtime, but you need a compatible splitter/riving knife and a steady hand to avoid flex in dense or wet stock.
• All-around capability: It’s versatile enough for ripping, crosscutting construction lumber, and rough sheet goods. For trim or veneered plywood, switch to a higher-tooth blade.

Who it’s for

• Users of compact 8-1/4-in jobsite table saws who want a fast, efficient general-purpose blade.
• Cordless saw users looking for a thin-kerf option to reduce load.
• Remodelers who occasionally encounter nails in reclaimed lumber and need a blade that won’t shatter on contact.
• DIYers tackling framing, decking, and general carpentry.

Who should look elsewhere:
- Cabinetmakers or anyone needing splinter-free crosscuts in hardwoods and veneered panels—move to 40T–60T.
- Table saw owners with fixed, full-thickness riving knives and no thin-knife option.

Tips for best results

• Verify kerf vs riving knife: Ensure your splitter/riving knife is thinner than the blade’s kerf. If it isn’t, don’t run the blade.
• Use a zero-clearance insert for plywood to reduce tear-out.
• Let the blade do the work; thin-kerf plates can deflect if overfed, especially in wet PT lumber.
• Keep it clean. A quick de-pitch keeps heat down and cut quality up.
• If you expect frequent metal contact, consider a demolition-rated blade; otherwise this one handles incidental hits acceptably.

Pros

• Fast, low-load cutting with a genuinely thin kerf
• Smooth tracking and reduced vibration from body slots
• Anti-stick coating keeps pitch down and cuts cooler
• Carbide holds up well, even after incidental nail strikes
• Good value as a versatile jobsite blade

Cons

• Kerf not clearly printed on blade/packaging; compatibility can be confusing
• Thin kerf may conflict with standard riving knives on some saws
• Not the right pick for fine-finish crosscuts in hardwoods or veneered panels

Bottom line and recommendation

I’d recommend this 8-1/4-in 24T DeWalt blade for general jobsite use—framing, deck work, rough sheet goods, and any scenario where speed and efficiency matter. It runs cool, tracks straight, and shrugs off the occasional hidden fastener. The thin kerf is a real advantage on cordless tools and compact saws.

My one caution is compatibility: confirm your riving knife or splitter matches the blade’s thin kerf. DeWalt should make that spec more obvious. If your saw can accommodate a thin knife, this blade is an easy yes. If it can’t, choose a full-kerf alternative or a higher-tooth blade tailored to your finish needs.