My band saw blade snapped right in the middle of a big beef rib order

It happened Tuesday morning, right after I started cutting through a whole rib section from a grass-fed steer. The blade just went with a loud pop and left me with a half-cut rack. I had to finish the job by hand with a breaking knife, which took three times as long. What brand of band saw blades do you guys trust for heavy bone work?

4 comments

4 Comments

blakestone1mo ago

Ever try sharpening your own blades instead?

gray_morgan1mo ago

That snap is just a blade wearing out, not a big deal. I've broken a few on pork shoulders and it's just normal wear and tear. Just keep a spare on hand for next time.

wendy8201mo ago

Yeah, the "normal wear and tear" part is right... my problem is I forget the spare exists until I'm already covered in pork juice. Then it's a whole sad search through drawers while dinner gets cold. I've gotten good at explaining to my family why we're eating at 9 pm.

christopherw341mo ago

What about blade thickness though? I feel like that matters just as much as the brand when you're cutting through bone all day. The thinner blades might snap easier but they leave less waste, meanwhile the thicker ones last longer but can get pinched in tight curves. I've had decent luck with Lenox and Morse for beef ribs, but I always run them a little slower than pork to avoid that sudden pop.