Anti-vibration slots: Slots cut in the body of the blade, in a starburst pattern, to reduce vibration so the blade runs more smoothly, producing a cleaner cut.

Arbor hole: The central hole in the blade plate through which the saw arbor fits. This must be accurately broached or cuts will waver.

ATB: Alternate Top Bevel. Tooth grind where the bevel alternates from left to right, leaving knife-like edges at each side, on alternating teeth.  Useful for general and crosscut work. Angles may range between 10 and 20 degrees.

Brazing: Molten brass-based method of attaching tips to saw body. Extremely strong bond.

Expansion slots: Slots cut into the blade body to control expansion, thus reducing distortion and sloppy cuts.

Flat Top Grind: Chisel like flat grind at tips. No bevel angles. Used in rip blades.

Gullet: The area in front of each tooth cut into the saw plate. The gullet allows, and controls, chip removal. Small chips, as in crosscuts, work with smaller gullets, while rip cuts demand bigger teeth and deeper gullets.

Hook angle: The angle made by the face of the tooth with a line drawn up from the center of the saw. The angle may be as much as 20 degrees, for a very aggressive feed, to as low as -5 degrees to reduce any tendency of either the blade or the work to climb during feed.

Kerf: The width of the slot cut by the blade.

Laser cut: saw plates are cut by laser today for greatest accuracy; the slot cutting done on the blade is done as the blade is cut, with the same set-up. Cuts for expansions and anti-vibration slots are one example of laser cutting.  Laser cutting does not stress the metal as much as hydraulic stamping, the old method.

Plate: The saw body. Thicknesses vary from 0.063" to 0.087".  Thin kerf blades are useful for low powered (1-1/2 HP and down) saws in rip cuts, and for larger blades in crosscuts.

Triple Chip Grind: One flat top tooth is followed by one cut in a trapezoid shape that is a little higher. That higher trapezoid (edges are cut away) tooth precuts material, which helps to reduce chipping in laminates and melamine.