Thread: TCT Knives?

Ah...OK. Thanks for that. AFAICS Carbatec have what I need, because I have some clone of their gear. (Sherwood)

I know the extra hard gear (bimetal, tct etc) leads to a more gradual and therefore more deceptive blunting, but they do keep cutting That's my rough and ready chaninsaw days. I may learn more finesse in the shop. Excuse...I did buy a sharpener for my TCT chainsaws.

I was interested to hear that you dressed the knives for a time before sharpening. It's not just the money. It's having to take them in and pick them up....or be stuck around waiting for the delivery.

Old thread I know, but I thought I'd stick in my own two penn'orth.
I've used OEM HSS & TCT blades in a DeWalt "under and over" 10 by 6" for many years, and have found that the TCT blades generally don't provide as fine a finish as the HSS. I believe the reason for the difference is in the geometry: HSS is sharpened at a slightly more acute angle, whereas TCT knives are generally sharpened at 17 or 18 degrees, to protect their much harder but more brittle edges.

Lately (i.e. in the last 20 years) I've been using a larger 10 by 9" Kity machine with original and aftermarket HSS and Carb I Tool TCT knives. The TCT knives last and last, although it gets to be pretty tough going on the motor when they eventually start to dull.

The difference is that HSS has a beautiful, sharp smooth cut for a short while when sharp, quickly deteriorating to a fairly rough finish as dulling and gapping take their toll. TCT, by contrast, doesn't really have the initial sharpness and finesse of cut, but lasts much, much longer between sharpenings. They will still dull, and you can hear the motor really working hard even though the finish on the timber is still acceptable, and in this state they also seem less likely to spelch cranky grain.

If you can be bothered, I'd recommend doing your roughing cuts with TCT, and your final finishing with HSS.

Thanks for the input, late or not.

I have not needed the TCT knives yet, but what you say really gels with my chain sawing experience. not as good from dead sharp, but last a LOT longer and keep cutting.

HAH! Different knives......that would take a lot of planning and patience to do, or two planers