Kerf
The width of the slot or channel removed by a saw blade as it cuts through wood, determined by the blade's thickness and tooth set.
In-Depth Explanation
Kerf is an important consideration in woodworking because the material removed by each cut affects the final dimensions of your workpieces. Standard table saw blades have a kerf of about 1/8 inch, while thin-kerf blades measure around 3/32 inch. Thin-kerf blades waste less material and require less motor power, but they may vibrate more and produce slightly rougher cuts. When laying out cuts on expensive hardwood, accounting for kerf in your measurements prevents boards from ending up too short. Kerf also plays a role in techniques like kerf bending, where a series of closely spaced kerfs allows a board to be bent into a curve.
Usage Example
We switched to a thin-kerf blade to get one extra rip out of each expensive walnut board and reduce waste.