Olson Saw Blades: What You're Really Getting

Olson makes specialty saw blades for specific cutting jobs. Not power tool blades — these are coping saw blades and bandsaw blades designed for detail work and material-specific cutting. The lineup includes 6.5” coping blades at 18 TPI and 93” bandsaw blades at 6 TPI, with each configuration targeting different materials and cut quality.

The Blade Selection Reality

Olson’s coping saw blade (model CP30200) runs 18 teeth per inch on a 6.5-inch blade between the pins. That’s your fine-cut option for detail work. The blade measures 0.094 to 0.125 inches wide and 0.018 to 0.020 inches thick — thin enough for intricate curves without binding.

Specification	CP30200 Coping Blade	Source
Blade Length	6.5” (between pins)	manufacturer
TPI	18	manufacturer
Blade Width	0.094” - 0.125”	manufacturer
Blade Thickness	0.018” - 0.020”	manufacturer
Material	High carbon steel alloy	manufacturer
Pin Type	Standard pin-end	manufacturer

The coping blades use hardened and tempered high-carbon steel. Each tooth gets individual heat treatment — that’s what separates decent blades from the cheap stuff that dulls after three cuts.

The 18 TPI configuration sits between their 15 TPI (faster, coarser cuts) and 24 TPI (for very thin materials and hard metals) options. It’s the general-purpose sweet spot — smooth enough for visible edges, fast enough you’re not sawing all day.

Who Actually Needs These Blades

The 18 TPI coping blade handles plastics, non-ferrous metals like copper and aluminum, mild steel, and of course wood. That’s the blade you want for cutting electrical conduit notches, trimming copper pipe in tight spaces, or doing detail work on custom millwork.

The 93-1/2” bandsaw blades come in 1/4” width with 6 TPI hook-style configuration, designed for professional woodworking and compatible with most 14-inch band saws from Delta, Rockwell, Jet, Grizzly, Rikon, and Sears Craftsman. Six teeth per inch on a bandsaw blade means general wood cutting — ripping, resawing, curve cutting in thicker stock.

Olson offers multiple bandsaw blade models:

• FB14593DB with 1/4-inch width, 6 TPI, 93 inches length
• FB14580DB measuring 80 inches with 14 TPI

That 80-inch blade at 14 TPI targets metal cutting. More teeth equals slower cutting but cleaner edges in harder materials. Fourteen TPI handles mild steel, aluminum extrusions, and copper pipe without the tooth-stripping you’d get from a wood blade.

The Professional vs DIY Question

The coping blades come in retail 4-packs (CP30200BL) or bulk 12-packs (CP302DZ). The bulk packs tell you who’s really buying these — contractors who burn through blades on trim jobs. Professional contractors regard these as reliable for precise woodworking tasks, which is contractor-speak for “they don’t break when you need them.”

The weakness shows up in ultra-fine detail work — the 10 TPI versions are too coarse for delicate curves. But that’s comparing apples to different apples. Each TPI count serves its purpose.

The blades use high carbon steel with 62-63 RC hardness rating. That’s properly hard — soft enough to flex without snapping, hard enough to hold an edge through repeated cuts.

Installation follows standard coping saw procedure: loosen frame tension, hook pins into notches, align teeth direction, retighten. Works with standard frames from Olson, Stanley, Eclipse, and Robert Larson — no proprietary nonsense forcing you into their frames.

The Bottom Line

Olson blades fill specific needs. The 18 TPI coping blade handles mixed-material cutting where you need clean edges. The 6 TPI bandsaw blades cut wood efficiently. The 14 TPI metal-cutting blades handle shop fabrication work. Each blade configuration matches its intended job.

Standard manufacturer guarantee typically includes 30-day returns through retailers and covers manufacturing defects. Nothing fancy, but blade warranties rarely matter — they either cut properly out of the package or they don’t.

The market position is clear: Olson makes application-specific blades with defined TPI counts for defined materials. Not trying to be everything to everyone. Just reliable cutting tools that match the job.

FAQ

What TPI works best for cutting 2x4 lumber quickly?

For fast cuts in dimensional lumber, you want the 6 TPI bandsaw blade. The 6 TPI hook-style configuration on the 93-1/2” blades is designed for professional woodworking. Fewer teeth means faster cutting, though you sacrifice cut smoothness.

Can the 18 TPI coping blade cut steel?

Yes, the 18 TPI blade handles mild steel along with plastics and non-ferrous metals. It’s not ideal for thick steel plate, but works fine for thin sheet metal and steel wire.

Why do coping blades come in 4-packs?

Because the retail 4-pack (CP30200BL) serves contractors who go through multiple blades per job. Coping saw blades are semi-consumable — they dull or break with heavy use. Having spares prevents work stoppage.

What’s the difference between 14 TPI and 6 TPI bandsaw blades?

The 14 TPI blade (like the 80” FB14580DB) is for metal cutting, while 6 TPI blades handle general wood cutting. More teeth = slower cut but smoother finish. Fewer teeth = faster cut but rougher edge.