Considering a new saw blade, would like feedback

[spirit bear beads]

I am seriously considering buying a new blade for my 16" Covington.  I want in this order of importance;
1. Fast cutting
2. Minimal waste of material
3. smooth cuts

I  believe the MK 303S or the 301 (Barranca Diamond series BD) will fill the bill.  But am looking for input here from more experienced cutters.

Anyone, have any thoughts? 

[slabbercabber]

I really like the cheapest made in China blades I can get.  The diamond tends to be coarser and the blades tend to be thin.  That means very fast cutting in my pressure fed saws and they last until they get cupped.  Which is to say as long as any other.  Since the cost is very low, I just throw them away when they cup.  With the more expensive blades I used to hammer them back into flat.  A very difficult and time consuming process.

[deb193]

I find my 301 12" blade glazing over a bit too easy. I love my 303 10" blades and would have to give the 303 16" a try.

[hulagrub]

Mia, I got a MK303 for our 12" Lortone, and all's I can say is that the only hear while cutting, is the motor running. Smooth as a baby's bottom!

[Rockoteer]

Mia, I got a MK303 for our 12" Lortone, and all's I can say is that the only hear while cutting, is the motor running. Smooth as a baby's bottom!

I second the motion....I just installed, today, a new MK303 on my 14" lortone.  SmooooooooOOOOth.  JMTCW

TOG

[spirit bear beads]

So.... the MK brand over the BD brand?  Some how I thought they were the same or one had bought out the other....

[Rockoteer]

Well I have had that new MK sitting on the shelf for three years and I know it sat on the former owners shelf for at leat 5 years...... They could have been bought and sold numerous times..???

TOG

[legendarygranite]

Mia, I got a MK303 for our 12" Lortone, and all's I can say is that the only hear while cutting, is the motor running. Smooth as a baby's bottom!

LOL

[Rockoteer]

So.... the MK brand over the BD brand?  Some how I thought they were the same or one had bought out the other....

I went out to Diamon Pacific's web site and their catalog shows the blades as BD's.  So I searched for MK blades and they have a site MK Diamond Direct and they show their MK blades.  Don't know if DP sells MK blades and put their BD name on them....very possible.  So I emailed DP and asked them.  I will post their answer.

TOG

[Rockoteer]

Here is what Diamond Pacific had to say.

Hello Gary,

MK and Barranca are the same.  For awhile they were selling the Lapidary line under the Barranca label, but now they are changing back to the MK label.  It has been hard to keep up with them.   I am pretty sure our 2012 catalog will be back to MK.

TOG

[spirit bear beads]

Thank you Gary!   I thought I had read that somewhere....   Today I had occasion to call Diamond Pacific about another item, and asked the woman if they carried MK blades.  She said they do.  I asked for a 16" Continuous MK blade and she said the blades over 14" were SEGMENTED!

 Back to square one.

[Rockoteer]

Thank you Gary!   I thought I had read that somewhere....   Today I had occasion to call Diamond Pacific about another item, and asked the woman if they carried MK blades.  She said they do.  I asked for a 16" Continuous MK blade and she said the blades over 14" were SEGMENTED!

 Back to square one.

I think the segmented blades are better anyway from everything everyone has written about them right here on this forum and not very long ago. 

catmandewe can shed some quick light on the subject.....you could search on the web for 'segmented' and you will get lots of info.

I sure wouldn't be afraid of a segmented blade.

jmho

TOG