NEVER USE A TABLE SAW WITHOUT THIS!! (Riving Knife / Riving Knives--Prevent Kickback/Blade Binding!)

[@onsiteelectricianscott4025]

Man I used my brothers dewalt table saw the other day , I didnt have that little thing installed, lucky the board kicked back to my right side flying through the open doorway crashing into some old tools in the back room, I can laugh now but wow I learned fast about kickback . Gonna make sure its installed next time for sure

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

When we first talked about table saws in my middle school shop class, Scott, my teacher walked us all the way across the room and showed us a 1” dent in a solid oak door. He pointed back to the old table saw 15 feet away, and said “That tool threw a walnut board this far, and it still had enough force to notch this hardwood. Don’t ever get in the way of a strong kickback…” That was 25 years ago, and I still think about it when I’m feeding a hardwood board into a table saw blade 😅

[@onsiteelectricianscott4025]

Man after it happened i thought wow that thing would have tore me up . So glad it didnt hit me . One thing is for sure, Some of the lessons you dont forget is Lessons learned . I learned my lesson and hopefully others will follow your lessons.

[@01spaz]

My saw don't have one, I'm certainly not buying a new one to have it. I stand to one side and use a lot of caution. 28 years of doing carpentry and I have yet to have a kickback.

[@onsiteelectricianscott4025]

I helped my dad for many years in my life and I never seen or heard of kickback until it happened a couple weeks ago to me, beware that I am skilled and fearless , but that table saw scares the hell out of me now . 😱

[@866martin]

@@01spaz that’s certainly your choice but I would always use a saw with a knife on it those kick backs are no joke!!! for me I can get complacent very easily I hope you never have a kickback but if you were to get one I think you would change your mind but again that’s always up to the individual

[@melody_bow]

Unbelievable timing. Just took mine off a couple of hours ago because it was lose and I didn’t think it was very important. So glad your video popped up tonight before I had a kickback. Timing is everything. I will definitely reinstall it tomorrow before using my saw again. Thanks for saving me from having a stupid accident!

[@rinzler9775]

I was the same for quite a while - I thought all the "pros" didnt seem to use them and I left mine off. Then I decided to research what they were for and boy were my eyes openned.

[@anibaljrbalt]

This is absolutely one of the most important videos you have made. Thanks for educating me and your followers.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you! Waited a long time to make this one-the new shop is the perfect setting for these fundamental vids 🙂

[@davepowder4020]

Sir, for every comment thanking you for reminding them of this awesome safety feature, there are probably 20 people that also were reminded, but just didn't comment. Lots of injuries prevented via this one video!

[@senseibas8199]

Im a beginner into wood working and this maybhave saved my life. Thank you

[@tomhargreaves8820]

This was the best explanation of the what and why of the riving knife I've seen. Thank you for taking the time to put together a cogent presentation without a hint of preaching.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you, Tom! 😄

[@jbc175]

@@TheHonestCarpenter second his comment. Thank you.

[@jameslowmanjr6141]

For a old timer. That had 2 years in carpenters school. Then two more years in construction. Then moved on to other livelihoods. Now I got more time to work around the house. WOW I got a portable tablesaw that came with that knife what a difference. In the four years. I used a Lotta table-saws back in the 90’s. That was the one thing the instructor always said to look for a board that looked bowed twisted wobbly curved be on guard when you’re ripping it. Always stay off to the left of the work. Even though it feels comfortable to step in behind it to finish the rip cut don’t. I’ve had some close calls. But that tablesaw was not shy of letting you know if you didn’t take a few minutes just to look over the wood before cut. That table saw would let you know within seconds that it’s being rejected and throwing it out. Whether you want it to or not.

[@easttexascraftsman4032]

Great video! I lost a finger tip and two months of work by leaving this off when I installed a new zero clearance insert on my table saw. Going to get a SawStop soon, but will never ignore this simple safety device again. Don't learn this the hard way!

[@ocotillodavid2296]

You are absolutely right about the importance of the seemingly inconvenient part. My father-in-law didn't have one on his saw, and when a board kicked back, he tried to slap it down with his hand. His right thumb was completely severed. He and his thumb were rushed to a hospital, and the thumb was reattached. After months of painful physical therapy, he now has use of the wayward thumb. Riving knife or splitter are absolutely necessary when ripping. They are inconvenient only when bent or misaligned.

[@LiquorandCheeseburgers]

Perfect, thanks! I'm a bit old school, always worked with older saws, all pre-2000's. Today I was assembling my new dewalt table saw and stand, I was pretty sure the knife was all for safety but great explanation. I've taken a beating in my younger days but I'm getting too old for any more of that, things take a lot longer to heal once you pass 50.😂 Definitely dialing in the riving knife and keeping it on the saw where it belongs.

[@jerryjensen9500]

This video explained my table saw problems. I fished the guard from the junk drawer and installed it. Luckily I still had the owners manual which also showed me how to properly align the blade. Thanks.

[@David.M.]

Yes! My Dewalt came with a riving knife. I have not had any kickback on this saw. But I am also very careful with how I cut wood. I have watched Steve Ramsey's videos about avoiding kickback. I am determined to keep my fingers attached!

[@ronster141]

Don't worry all fingers are digital.

[@MR-si1eq]

I got mine in 08 I believe. It came with one. Didn't really know what it was for back then. Unfortunately it broke when assembling it. I was taught back in 1970 to stand on the side a little in case of kick back. I've had kick back a few times. Now you make me want to fix it and put it on. 😆

[@justinpratt3462]

I find I learn something from almost all of these videos. They are appreciated. The kick back pole is the only attatchment I haven't found a need for yet. I believe I now know why. I've been taking the riving knife for granted.

[@robertsilberberg8526]

if you have an old saw, like a solid 70's contractor saw or something like that, and dont want to use the pawls and riving knife and blade guard combo things that came with them all look into splitters! I got an MJ splitter and let me tell you my confidence when using an insert without one vs one with one now is massively different. Other than the saw itself, one fo the best purchases I made.

[@mae2759]

Do you have to make your own insert?

[@kevinsloan5570]

I have been a cabinet maker since 1975 , and I'm still working today . The pro saws ( 3 phase machines ) all had them back then and the first thing that would happen would be to take that riving knife OFF !! When all the big box stores started offering table saws and miter saws to all the idiots who shouldn't have one this is when kick backs started to become a thing . If one knows what they are doing kick backs are a very rare occurance . Most of the time the fence is NOT set up properly , CAUSING the kick back . Couple that with gross ignorance of how wood reacts when cut improperly , this is how it has become an issue . And " yes " I can back everything that I say .

[@semiretired6033]

Thank you for Another very informative video. I do carpentry work with my nephew as a side line to my real job (lol) and I've learnt many very useful tips from you that I bring with me when doing whatever it is we may be working on. I really love your content and just wanted to tell you that I as I'm sure your other viewers really appreciate the effort you put into your videos. Please keep them coming.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you, retired! I appreciate the positive feedback, and really glad to hear you’re working with your nephew. The next generation always learns from the one before it 🙂

[@mikeandlucky]

Thanks for the reminder. I just have a DeWalt job site saw and I had put on a zero-clearance throat plate to reduce dust and better support the work. After watching your video, I modified by throat plate to add the riving knife. Thanks again

[@ahdvnd]

This is one of the most reasonable explanations of the kickback in table saws. Thanks a lot.

[@GrinderCB]

This video explains a lot. In shopping for my first table saw, I looked at some used ones that had no riving knife or blade guard. When asked, the seller would respond, "What's a riving knife?" Usually this involved older table saws dating back 20-40 years and sellers who'd not bought one after the UL mandate. When asked about missing blade guards, the usual answer was, "Oh, those are a pain..." or some such.

[@fubartotale3389]

My 1948 Unisaw has a riving knife.

[@TheKelsk]

Direct, to the point, no fluff. You taught me something important. Thank you!!!

[@arthurbrands6935]

Make sure you have run your stock through a joiner/ planer to make sure you don't have twisted board! Running that through a table saw can cause kickback despite a riving knife! Also, make sure you're standing where the enemy ain't shooting!

[@jobacuda4472]

Very good point, Arthur. Thanks!

[@doak4886]

You just explained how they function the best I’ve seen and I’ve watched several.

[@jeffostroff]

Yes my Ridgid table saw from 2014 came with a riving knife and my DeWalt Flexvolt mini job site table saw has it also.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Haven't seen that flexvolt yet, Jeff! I'm gonna look it up...

[@konamanstudio2447]

👍🏻🍻🍺👍🏻

[@MrEazyE357]

He literally said they became standard in the mid 2k's so what's your point?

[@dariushmilani6760]

Good video Ethan, but it is also worth mentioning that another source of kickback is when the fence is not parallel with the blade and narrower at the outfeed end. 👍❤

[@jasonakinaka4382]

Instant subscribe. Probably the clearest, quickest presentation of information on the subject I've seen. Thank you.

[@aaronwilliamson4045]

My sears table saw that I purchased 50 years ago came with a splitter and guard combo, which was awkward, I wanted so much to follow safety rules, but I had to take it off after about a month. I've never had a problem with kickback. The only thing i have had is a small block of wood vibrating on the table and hitting the blade and thrown at me. Never had an injury with the table saw. I have a lot of respect for them. Actually i like it better when there are no guards in the way... I did buy some plastic push sticks about a year ago mostly to speed up the work and get better control while maintaining safety. Yes, i'm old... 77 years.

[@adamcoe]

So you're saying that you just haven't had an accident...yet. You have been lucky apparently. Folks this is exactly the attitude you do not want to have. "It was awkward." You know what else is awkward? Trying to open jars with your non dominant hand because you couldn't use common sense and realize a blade spinning at 4000 rpm will remove parts of your body before you even realize what happened.

[@aaronwilliamson4045]

Are you saying that i'm not as careful as I have been for the last 50 years? I'' be 80 in December.@@adamcoe

[@gepardmar12]

you only say about yourself that nothing happened to you Maybe you are very careful but remember that your comment is read by very careless people and they can treat you as an authority and they will lose fingers thanks to you.

[@pbs1516]

No particular comments, I just wanted to thank you for all the good content you make and the experience you share!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you, PBS! Positive feedback always welcome 😄

[@markielinhart]

Great video. I really worry for those with home built table saws with just an inverted circular saw. Courting disaster! 👏🇦🇺✌️

[@benharrison1069]

Never heard of a driving knife before, but very valuable info. Thanks for the explanation, Ethan. 👍

[@Birdlab]

Great explanation of riving knives. I appreciate your focus on safety. Another thing to consider with kickback is that it can pull your hand into the blade. So that blade guard is an essential safety component along with the riving knife.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Good call, Birdlab! I’m yet to address pulling from the back of the saw on the show, but I will. Pro rock climber Tommy Caldwell lost a finger that way!

[@DSmith-ix1xf]

Great coverage on this little safety gem. Always delivered in the same honest style that makes your channel so easy to learn from. Thanks 👍

[@83Dawg.]

Ethan is fantastic for this industry.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

🙏

[@beatrizteixeira6940]

You do have to spend some time setting the saw up... blade, fence, etc. But once done, the saw is great. Fairly compact which is Nice kzbin.infoUgkxXh-4_3-ZT1fFWP91ZV7iVqzElr0lEb-a I did get an Incra Miter Gauge which takes some setup as well. The stock miter gauge can be adjusted in the miter slot with a little painter's tape... this tightens up the side to side play a lot.

[@jeffhester1443]

Thank you, I really mean it. Just purchased a small ryobi 8 in portable with a perfectly aligned riving knife out of the box, but I honestly did not know what it was until this video clarified the poorly illustrated owners manual.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

You’re welcome, Jeff! Work safe 🙂

[@farnorth7314]

I parted with an older saw that I loved after one nasty kickback...my new saw has one and it works very very well.

[@rexmcfarland4997]

I can relate to this. My ryobi job site saw from the late 1990's didnt come with one. My new delta contractors saw has one and I love it.

[@nickpaulie]

Much useful. Never thought that so little piece of metal does so much work. I still don't have table saw but today I was watching many in one big tools shop and I was wondering why that piece of metal is there. Many thanks for the information

[@JohnPatrick58]

Thank you for that Isaac, I have just spent hours trying to adjust my knife because I couldn't work out which way to turn the screws but I know now 😊

[@HAL-dm1eh]

Never would have conceived of this being a problem. But now I know. Thanks for the great content.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thanks Hal!

[@tymr.t3645]

Thank you so much I just brought my table saw Good insight and information Very helpful 👍

[@gilbert8754]

thanks for letting us know if we could add on to an older machine

[@fubartotale3389]

My 1948 Unisaw has this, but I never installed it for some reason. Gonna have to see if I can get it hooked up.

[@donaldhamel9311]

The riving knife is a great thing to have, I will admit, but I'm almost 64 years old and in my 40+ years of woodworking experience I have never used one, I could quickly feel and hear my saw binding at the kerf and would immediately shut off the saw and pushed a small wedge into the end of the kerf and finish cutting. I personally have never dealt with a kick back ever, but I've seen it happen plenty to other people in the past and 90% of those people after watching them, really shouldn't have been using the saw in the first place and I have tried to educate some of those people but the no.1 thing I saw with each and every one was the look of fear using a table saw, respecting the machine is important but fearing the machine will get you hurt

[@Curtis86]

I'm only 35 but I feel like I wrote this comment. I agree 100%.

[@f.d.6667]

The table saw I bought right after college in 1996 came with a splitter and I never had a kick-back in the 25 years of using it. These things are mandatory here in the EU and for a good reason!

[@erickaelin5420]

Thanks. I didn't know that piece was so important. I will use it from now on.

[@terrysullivan1992]

A second safety protocol is to never stand in line with the material between the fence and the blade. That's where the most common kickback will go. Straight back. With a 10 inch blade on most table saws that will be at 120 mph. Question: I have a professional grade Jet left tilt shop table saw. Is there a retrofit for a riving knife that has height adjustment ?

[@NICKRITZER]

That's what I'm curious about as well. I have an older ish Ryobi left tilt and I'm curious if I can get one mounted on mine as well. I always stand to the side but now I kind of want one

[@whitewhale4893]

Great Video. Yeah, I just bought an old delta on Craiglist, I would like to add an riving knife too it, that possible? Honest Carpenter please advise.

[@Dragonuv2002]

I bought a SharkGuard for my old Delta Unisaw, was worth every penny…and then some.

[@TheKrazykris]

There was a hole on the wall behind the table saw in my schools shop. The teacher told the maintenance guy to leave it in place as a reminder of how hard the board flies back.

[@johnarriola9526]

This is the first time I've herd or seen this (Riving Knife) wow...very, very safe feature..👍👍...

[@anthonymotola4263]

another great video for info ,easy to understand and well made by a true pro ! 👍

[@dawnemcgregor3896]

Thank you for this video. I have to do some projects and scared of this table saw. I feel a little more confident now:)

[@jorgegonzalez-fc2zn]

Love u a lot mate Without your videos i already be one left handed lad

[@blahdiblah2169]

There can never be enough warnings on this. I wonder how many fingers this video will save. Oh wow, we have the same table saw, except I have the EU version. Ok, so I do not use the blade guard, but I would never make a cut without a riving knife. Also that table saw is really excellent, the fence system is the best I've ever experienced.

[@georgeferlazzo7936]

Hello again The Honest Carpenter Thank you for another Great Video. And thank you educating me in Shop Saw Safety. Again thank you

[@JoelBursztyn]

I really like all your videos!! simple and instructor. Thank you!

[@SinnisjInsulator]

That's a great tip and thanks for that lesson. I have anew tablesaw and will look for that feature.

[@MrCubflyer]

i also would like to say if you have a small portable saw the riving knife is probably much more important also if you use one way feather boards they help also.

[@NW-Commuter]

As always, a well explained and super informative video - Thanks again, Honest!

[@spankymagee]

I got my table saw in 2009 actually for fathers day. Barely missed this upgrade. Mine has 2 spring loaded one-way teeth. I take them off when I'm ripping plywood. But thats it.

[@bobfitzgerald5056]

I have a 93 Delta 10 inch contractors saw. It came with the claws but no RKnife and I have never been injured but I remember being shocked the first time I was a little to the side because the board was binding and it shot back like a rocket and hit the door from my garage to the house. It's a steel door so it took it better than I thought, but it was not the last time it would be hit. I really need to dump that thing and get a modern saw.

[@rinzler9775]

I have a thinner diablo 90 tooth blade that cut too thin for the factory riving knife so I made a custom one which worked perfect just for that blade.

[@simonlunt353]

Here in the uk 🇬🇧 if you work in joiners workshop you have to have the riving knife by law and now we have been told the crown Guard has to be just a little higher than the wood you are cutting so you can’t have your fingers pulled in But in my own workshop and it’s only me that works in my workshop I have used tenanting jig a Factory made one too do my tenants but I take great care when using this jig you can still have the riving knife in just set low but as with all workshop machinery you need to know what you are doing and read or get taught how to use your machine’s stay safe 👏👏👍

[@rkwatchauralnautsjediparty7303]

I built my own fence 15 years ago and cut all my own pickets from deck planks. This included dog-earing them and this was long before I owned a miter saw. The fence line was 640 feet with about 1280 dog ears cut. I got popped in the mouth by the triangular corners about three times while cutting those stupid things. A few others missed but flew past my face. That hurt and they were only a couple ounces each. I can only imagine the horrors of real kickback events.

[@maniladanceclassic7101]

Great videos! Very helpful and practical. I'd like to suggest a video on tool maintenance, especially circular saws and routers.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Good idea, Manila! I’m jotting it down 😄

[@PaiviProject]

Hey this was good to know. Apparently we have one somewhere not attached to the table saw. I think it's time to find it ! Thanks 👍👍

[@intsccents]

yes it could save your life...

[@ManWander]

can older table saws be retro fitted with riving knives?

[@czechmix221]

likely, but itd probably take some engineering to do it yourself

[@rhroney1]

You're smart. Thank you for sharing your smarts!

[@timpenner7858]

A can attest to the truth of this assertion. I lost my marbles one day and didn't put the riving knife back after raising the blade into a middle cut. Started to break down a piece of plywood. Dislocated the second knuckle on the index finger of my left hand. Just getting back to playing the banjo after 18 months.

[@trimgod9485]

I learned on a Bosch table saw that never had the knife on it I used it for years lol never had an issue

[@karlforster4907]

Great video, and demo, especially the kickback

[@shadow5oh]

I must say I am totally terrified when it comes to table saws. I worked in a boat yard where they had a very powerful saw and boy, once in a while someone inexperienced would have a problem. I purchased a Ryobi saw not too long ago. It has the riving knife. I am totally impressed how simple of a part can make a world of difference. Ripping long boards does sometimes need a wedge inserted behind the knife (keeps the boards from pinching) I feel much better when cutting. I play guitar and know how precious all of my digits are. Keep them on your body folks!

[@intsccents]

Keep all safety equipment on the table saw, have a healthy respect for the machine you are working with ,and never stand behind the lumber you are cutting...

[@Curtis86]

Don't fear it, respect it. You are in control. Keep pressure against the table and fence when ripping and you will be ok. Also, don't be afraid to raise the blade up a little more. It will help by cutting on a downward motion against the table. Just stay mindful that the blade is more exposed. I've never had any major kickback but I've had wood pinch my blade several times. I also never use riving knife, or any other safety feature, to be honest. I've had the blade stop during an attempted kickback because I had good control of the stock. Never just push material through without keeping it locked in the corner of the fence and table.

[@rustyroller]

Thanks so much for this one. Time and time again, I check in, and it seems like your latest video has just answered a question that was rolling around in my active, but uneducated mind. I'd love to help you out with the amazon commission, but being in Germany, maybe I'll just order a t-shirt. Keep up the good work!!!!

[@juanitachicken9182]

Really enjoy your videos, honest indeed! look forward to next video

[@glg3945]

Very helpful. Thank you. Peace and good fortune and good health to you and your family. ❤

[@richardstrada212]

Great explanation. I just learned something in new and important to my safety.

[@racenuke]

Great introduction to this little feature. Thanks!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thanks racenuke!

[@dodge7854]

My saw came with a splitter. I took it off the day that I got it. I do way too many plunge cuts to use one. After 25 years I haven’t missed it one bit.

[@intsccents]

sorry to say many people have lost fingers as well as had lumber projectiles launched at them causing injuries from not using a splitter and anti kick claws and a simple blade guard.. You my friend have lucky so far...

[@dodge7854]

@@intsccents yeah, people that are careless. I have two friends that are carpenters, like me, that completely severed fingers. Both were not paying attention to what they were doing. Luckily, they had them sewn back on and still have use of them.

[@greenearthblueskies8556]

This dude is so young, yet so wise about carpentry

[@markb.1259]

Ethan... Love your channel!!! Thank You!!!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you, Mark!!

[@markb.1259]

@@TheHonestCarpenter.... Don't tell my brother, but one afternoon I used his table saw to rip a board... dammed if that saw didn't ROCKET the cut-off piece of wood into the side of his car in the garage!!! haha. Shhhhhh!!!

[@duoxu4213]

Awesome explanation, ppl always asking that and I can only tell it’s a safety feature😂

[@cycleSCUBA]

Excellent explanation and visuals 👍

[@eileenmarkel318]

I’m a beginner wood worker who loves DIY projects for our home and does them while our two little girls are napping! I am making 55” dovetail slides for our table but my makita 2703 table saws riving knife doesn’t allow for partial cuts. Can I add any brand of knife and if so do you have recommendations for the knife AND any tips on making dovetail slides?! Thank you so much for this easy to understand and detailed video!! ❤

[@hdmf]

I always take mine off. I install flooring for a living and make a lot plunge cuts from the back of the flooring for floor vents and other obstacles. I can cut a rectangle in the middle of a board using only the table saw, this can't be done if the riving knife is installed. I obviously wouldn't recommend it for someone who has little or no experience with a table saw. I've been installing for over 30 years and have had only a few kickbacks, nothing serious. The main thing is to make sure your rip fence is straight and square the material you are cutting. Never try to force a board through! If I feel a board start to bind up I usually will back off the cut slightly and tilt the board upward upward off the blade.

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

🤗 THANKS ETHAN…FOR KEEPING US INFORMED AND SAFE 👍😍😍😍

[@hasanc786]

Awesome video and information as alway. Btw, looking fwd to the video of your shop vac cart with cyclone bucket under the miter saw in the back.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

I wish I could make that one Hasan! Unfortunately I was moving too fast through the rest of the shop build to document that one. 😕 I’ll see if I can at least describe it a little bit in a later video…

[@hasanc786]

@@TheHonestCarpenter much appreciated.

[@catbangs276]

i was going to remove the riving knife because my acrylic sheets i was cutting kept getting jammed up in that thing and ruining my cuts. i'll now see if i could adjust.

[@WorkSmart4U]

Nice video as always. Thanks for sharing.

[@olliefoxx7165]

My table saw is older and doesn't have a riving knife. I need to get one bc kickback has bothered me almost as much as getting cut by the blade. I hope the person that invented this is well compensated monetarily as well as gratitude for making us safer.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Me too, Ollie! On saws without r knives, the moment the blade gets dull you start getting all sorts of kickback. I remember it terrifying me when I was younger!

[@bud8194]

Is there a retro fit riving knife for older saws? Mine too doesnt have one it is an older Craftsman that I got for free and it still works great.

[@robinrummel1359]

@@bud8194 I was wondering the same thing, older table saw i got at a yard sale for $40 still works well. I've also been looking for an inexpensive push stick.

[@bud8194]

@@robinrummel1359 he has a good set in his links from Amazon...the orange set and it includes a push stick...see the links after his vid😊

[@robinrummel1359]

@@bud8194 ok, thank you I will do that. 👍😏 This is more than a little weird though because my ex's name is also Bud. 😏

[@toddekstrom7963]

My jet table saw came with a roving knife along with other safety devices-which were promptly removed as they did interfere with my cuts-so I guess I’ll have to find it and put it back on.

[@MattMurphree]

I lucked out on an old Delta that had a huge table extension built into it. It doesn't have a knife and I've tried to find one, to no effect.

[@edpowell5754]

From Buffalo, N. Y. Thank You for explaining it, Thanks.-

[@kbenk108]

Would be nice if you could make a video on the various blades that are out there - number of teeth, thickness of blade, for which material, and for which saw (circular, miter, table).

[@probuilder961]

Thanks for the reminder! My saws are older, I assume I can pick up an aftermarket one.

[@micdev42]

brilliant explanation

[@brianfoley4328]

Yes, a riving knife is important...and it forces the issue about "cheap" and/or "inexpensive" and/or "entry level" tools. I have a Ryobi portable/worksite table saw that I bought on line (big mistake) because the riving knife/guard is a combination gadget that is difficult to see through and the "little teeth" can cause boards to bind....and best of all....there's no riving knife replacement that fits the Ryobi model that I have. So the lesson seems to be "Go Big (and expensive) or Stay On the Porch". The moral of the story is....less expensive isn't always the best path.

[@danielmund715]

If you are trimming a wider board down to a thinner one you can't always use the knife because the first couple of saw blade passes are shorter then the height of the knife. Otherwise keep it in place.

[@lindam.9282]

Very helpful! Thanks for putting this up...

[@marknewton3657]

Good vid and explanation!

[@866martin]

Good video in my humble opinion I would say a table saw has the potential or actually being the most dangerous power tool I had a bad kick back in the late 90s no knife obviously the 2x6 I was ripping flew back at me and was very close to hitting me in a bad area it hit just to the right of my man area it’s so very easy to get complacent that is one thing I’ll never do is taking the knife off but that kick back dropped me like a punch there’s a lot more power there I think people realize