CMT Contractor ITK Plus Finish Saw Blade - 6-1/2" x 5/8" - 36 Tooth ATB+Shear is a precision-ground circular saw blade engineered for clean finish cuts in hardwood, softwood, and plywood. The 36-tooth alternate top bevel plus shear geometry produces smooth, splinter-free edges whether you are crosscutting, ripping, or working with sheet goods on a cordless circular saw, portable table saw, or track saw. Built to the exacting standards CMT is known for, this thin-kerf blade removes less material per pass, placing less strain on cordless tools while still delivering the quality results finish woodworking demands.

Key Features

• ATB+Shear Tooth Geometry (10 deg. ATB + 8 deg. Shear) - the combination of alternate top bevel and shear angles slices wood fibers cleanly on both the top and bottom face of the workpiece, dramatically reducing tearout and leaving surfaces ready for finishing with little or no sanding.
• 36-Tooth Count - provides the ideal balance between cut speed and surface quality for finish work in hardwood, softwood, and plywood, giving you production-friendly feed rates without sacrificing edge smoothness.
• Thin Kerf Design (0.067" cutting width / 0.043" plate) - the narrow kerf removes less material and generates less resistance, making this blade well-suited for cordless circular saws and track saws where battery power must be used efficiently.
• 20 deg. Hook Angle - a positive hook angle promotes controlled, aggressive feeding through dense hardwood and engineered sheet goods without chattering or stalling.
• HW (Tungsten Carbide) Tips - hard carbide teeth maintain a sharp cutting edge through extended use in demanding materials, delivering more cuts per sharpening cycle and extending overall blade service life.
• 20mm Bore with 5/8" Adapter Included - the universal bore accepts both metric and standard arbors, making the blade compatible with a wide range of cordless circular saws and portable table saws without additional hardware.
• Orange Chrome Coating - the chromium layer deposited electrolytically across the plate increases wear resistance and guards against corrosion, protecting the blade body during prolonged use and storage.
• Laser-Cut Steel Plate - precision laser cutting holds tight dimensional tolerances across the plate, contributing to stable tracking and repeatable, accurate cuts pass after pass.
• Filled Sound-Dampening Slots - polymer-filled laser-cut slots absorb vibration during cutting, reducing noise and giving you better blade control and a more comfortable working experience.
• Tri-Metal Silver Brazing - a three-layer brazing process bonds carbide tips to the plate with exceptional strength, resisting tip separation even under the heat and stress of continuous use.
• Precision Sharpening - each tooth is individually sharpened to exacting tolerances, ensuring consistent cut quality from the first pass through the blade's full working life.

Why This Product

• Optimized for cordless and track saw systems - the 6-1/2" diameter and thin-kerf 0.067" plate are sized specifically for the compact circular saws and track saw platforms that dominate modern job sites and shop setups, drawing less power per cut and preserving battery runtime.
• Finish-quality results without a secondary sanding step - the ATB+Shear geometry with 10 deg. and 8 deg. grinding angles cuts wood fibers rather than tearing them, making this blade a strong choice for trim work, cabinet components, and furniture parts where surface quality matters.
• Universal arbor compatibility reduces tool inventory - the 20mm bore with included 5/8" adapter means this blade fits a broad range of both metric and imperial arbor saws, so you carry one blade that works across multiple machines.
• Built for sustained performance in demanding materials - tungsten carbide tips, tri-metal silver brazing, and chromium coating work together to maintain edge integrity and protect the blade through repeated use in hardwood, softwood, and plywood, reducing how often you need to resharpen or replace.

Specifications

• Manufacturer Part Number: 272.165.36H
• Brand: CMT Orange Tools
• Diameter: 6-1/2"
• Number of Teeth: 36
• Tooth Grind: ATB+Shear
• Cutting Angle: 20 deg.
• Sharpening: 10 ATB+8 SHEAR
• Kerf Thickness: 0.067"
• Plate Thickness: 0.043"
• Bore Diameter: 20mm (+15.88mm)
• Pin Hole: 2/6/32
• Material: HW (Tungsten Carbide)

Approved Applications

• Ripping hardwood, softwood, and plywood
• Crosscutting hardwood, softwood, and plywood
• Finish cuts requiring minimal tearout on face and back surfaces
• Cordless circular saw work where thin-kerf efficiency is a priority
• Track saw operations requiring clean, splinter-free edges
• Portable table saw use for dimensional lumber and sheet goods

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the ATB+Shear tooth geometry mean in practical terms?

ATB stands for Alternate Top Bevel, meaning every other tooth is ground at an opposing bevel angle - in this case 10 deg. The additional 8 deg. shear angle tilts each tooth so it slices into wood fibers rather than striking them bluntly. The combined effect is a clean cut on both the top and bottom face of the workpiece with very little tearout, which is especially important when working with hardwood, softwood, and plywood where surface finish quality matters.

Will this blade fit my cordless circular saw with a 5/8" arbor?

Yes. The blade features a 20mm primary bore and includes a 5/8" adapter (15.88mm), so it is compatible with saws that use either a standard 5/8" imperial arbor or a 20mm metric arbor. The pin hole specification of 2/6/32 provides additional anti-rotation security on compatible saw models.

Why does thin kerf matter for cordless circular saws and track saws?

The 0.067" kerf removes less wood material per pass compared to a full-kerf blade, which means the motor encounters less cutting resistance. On battery-powered cordless circular saws and track saws, this reduced load translates directly into more cuts per charge and less motor strain, making thin-kerf blades like this one a practical match for cordless platforms.

How does the orange chrome coating benefit the blade over time?

The coating is a chromium layer applied electrolytically to the steel plate. It increases the surface hardness of the plate, making it more resistant to wear from repeated cutting contact, and it protects against corrosion from moisture and resins encountered when cutting wood products. The result is a blade body that stays cleaner, resists pitch buildup more effectively, and holds its shape longer between resharpening intervals.