New Saw Blade

I would just clean it off. It really doesn’t hurt the blade’s performance. It is kind of like the first scratch on a new car. Sooner or later it is going to get one but the first one is the most aggravating.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

If you use it enough there won’t be a problem with rust. Some steel wool & WD40 should clean it up and give it some protection.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

I’d go ahead and use it.

I own five forrest blades, thick, thin, cross cut, rip. Each one was $100+. And I love them all, they really leave an excellent edge.

BUT, when I bought my first forrest blade, at what seemed like a HUGE premium over other blades, it came pretty funky looking. I dont know if you’ve noticed but forrest blades LOOK like they just got stamped out of an old soup can with some words half painted on the sides. I thought geez, for that much money “it’s not even painted, not pretty red like freud, or bright yellow like dewalt”, geez, what’s up with that. So I kinda sent forrest a semi nasty-gram, asking what the heck for that much money I’d expect it to come hand painted by Michael Angelo.

Well, they politely offered to exchange to blade if I was unhappy with it, or work with me to get a refund since I’d bought it through a vendor. But I decided I’d give it a shot. I’m glad I did. I’m very happy with forrest blades, funky half done paint job and all.

or you could give it to a lumberjock of your choice… I have a feeling some of us won’t mind ;)

I’m kinda anal like that as well, but lets face it – you need to maintain and clean those metal surfaces anyways, so it’s just part of the routine… a little rust today, or a little rust tomorrow doesnt make a difference as long as you clear it out, and as long as there are no pits in the metal itself.

cheers!

-- My Drinking Club has a Woodworking Problem...

most important thing is how it cuts. that’s what you pay for. doesn’t matter too much what it looks like.

regards, jm

-- Jarrod, Eagle Nest, NM http://anthologyfinefurniture.wordpress.com

If you dont want it, I am perfectly willing to take one for the group and accept the blade.

-- There are three kinds of people... those who can count, and those who can't

Thanks for all of your responses. Upon further inspection, it looked like there might be some pitting in the metal. So rather than feeling like I was getting less than I expected. I exchanged it. Since the woodcraft store is only about 10 min from home, it was no big deal.

Thanks!

DUH

-- Make things with wood.