Which condition is most likely to cause a blade to bind?

• A. Wood that is too wet
• B. Wood that is dry
• C. A dull blade
• D. Excessive blade tension

Answer: (A)

Binding happens when the wood fibers grab onto the blade and the kerf tightens around it, stopping the blade from moving smoothly. Wood that is too wet causes the fibers to swell as they absorb moisture. This swelling narrows the cut just enough to pinch the blade, especially where the kerf is tight, so the blade sticks and you feel resistance. Dry wood doesn’t swell as much, so it’s less likely to pinch the blade.

A dull blade increases friction and can cause burn or chatter, but it doesn’t inherently pinch the kerf the way swelling wet wood does. Excessive blade tension can cause other problems like binding of the blade in the saw’s arbor or warping, but it isn’t the primary cause of a cut that pinches the blade.