I've a Record universal with a Tersa block.

Looking for new knives I've come across an American web site that offered tungsten carbide blades at around £60 each, much the same as anything over here but the difference is they stated that the quality of finish would not be as good as HSS blades.

Has anyone any experience with this type of blade or know why the finish should be inferior.

Don't ask me what site was.

Thanks. John.

This is true, although I'm not certain of the specific details.

TCT blades will also hold their edge for much longer than HSS.

I own a set of 12" tct knives for the conventional block in my planer. I was forced to invest in them to machine some teak with a high mineral content, I only use them occasionaly for similar highly abrasive timbers. There is perhaps a small difference in the quality of the finish when the knives are new, and it's not possible to hone them easily yourself when the edge starts to go. I can easily get a better edge on the normal hss knives.

When I purchased the tct knives, the prices quoted by the mail order firms were silly and they would only sell me a "set" of three knives, not much use when I only needed two.

My local saw doctor and cutter grinder came to the rescue with a pair for well under 100 pounds.

If the material hadn't been so incredibly unworkable I wouldn't have made the purchase!   

Hope this helps. Mike

Thanks for your replies.

The teak bit has certainly answered one of my problems as this is what set me off on the search for better blades.  I've quite a stash of it from Africa, not the greatest quality but a beautiful wood and good enough to cut down and use for constructing planters, bird tables or whatever.  The original blades lost their edge fast and even the bandsaw was making heavy weather of it.

Looks like I'm going to have to invest if I want to go any further.

Thanks again.

John