How to Sharpen a Circular Saw Blade by Hand – Step-by-Step guide

Sharpen a Circular Saw Blade by Hand

We understand that sharpening a circular saw blade by hand sounds really intimidating. 

However, if you follow the right precautionary steps, the process is quite simple. To make the process easy for you, we have compiled this complete guide with FAQs, tips, and much more. 

Without wasting any time, let’s dive straight into it. 

Quick Summary


This complete guide has everything you need to know including: 

  • How to sharpen your circular saw blade by hand 
  • Checklist of items you will need 
  • Precautionary measures you need to take 
  • FAQs

Let’s get started.

How to Sharpen A Circular Saw Blade – Complete Step-by-Step Guide 

It is crucial that you read the instructions carefully to avoid any accidents. Sharpening a circular blade is not that difficult, however, there are some important factors that you should keep in mind. 

Let’s discuss the steps one by one in detail. 

Step 1: Unplug the saw 

This step is really important because we don’t want any accidents. You should begin with removing the saw from the board or removing the batteries out. 

Step:2 Remove the Blade of the Circular Saw 

Loosen the nut with the help of a ring spanner in a clockwise position. Then, carefully remove the blade from the circular saw. 

Step:3 Fix the Blade 

Now, fix your saw blade to the workstation so that you can sharpen it easily. You can use screws to clamp the blade into one place. 

Step:4 Tilt your Blade 

We suggest that you tilt your blade at a 20 degrees angle so that you can sharpen the blades more easily. 

Step 5: File your blade 

We recommend that you file your blade at least 4 times up and down. This will smoothen out the blade and make it perfectly sharp for you. 

Step 6: Trim the teeth of the Blade

This step is crucial because the teeth of the blade can become uneven after continuous use. You can use a flat file and even them out by making horizontal strokes on the blades. 

Step 7:  Sharpen the circular saw blade 

Now you can begin with the actual sharpening. We recommend that you use a triangular file to sharpen your blade. 

Step 8: Install your blade 

Once you have filed and sharpened your blade you need to install it back into the saw. 

Notice: You should wear gloves at all times. It’s really difficult to handle sharp blades directly. 

Pros and Cons of sharpening your circular saw blade yourself – Quick Guide 

You will have to pay the specialist to sharpen our blade. However, if you are on a budget, it’s always better to sharpen the blade yourself. 

A specialist could take a couple of days to sharpen your blade. This could be time-consuming. On the other hand, you can sharpen your blade and use it immediately. 

However, it can be difficult to sharpen your circular saw blade yourself if you are a beginner. 

Moreover, it can be dangerous to sharpen the blade at home if you do not have the right equipment. 

Things You Need to Sharpen A Circular Saw Blade by Hand – Quick Check List

If you want to sharpen your circular saw blade by hand, here’s a list of things you need: 

  • A flat file
  • Triangular file 
  • Pliers
  • Screw clamps 
  • Ring spanner 
  • Safety gloves 
  • Protective goggles 

Important notice: You can only sharpen a circular saw blade whose teeth have not been hardened. 

Precautions You Need to Take – Complete Overview 

It is crucial that you take precautions before you sharpen your circular saw blade. 

Here is a list of things you need to keep in mind before you get started: 

  1. Always remember to remove the batteries and the plug of the saw 
  2. Wear protective gloves so that you do not end up cutting your hand or fingers 
  3. We recommend safety goggles so that the shavings do not damage your eyes 
  4. You can also wear noise cancellation earbuds
  5. Read the manual for your saw before you get started
sharpen circular blade by hand

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Which file should I use to sharpen my circular saw blade? 

We highly recommend that you use a diamond file to sharpen your circular saw blade. This is a simple and widely used method. 

How can I sharpen my carbide-tipped circular saw blade? 

You can only sharpen a carbide-tipped circular saw blade with a fine-grit circular wheel. This is because the teeth of the blade are so hard, it could be impossible to do it by hand. 

Can I sharpen my own circular saw blade?

If you own a steel-toothed circular saw blade, you can hand file the blade yourself to sharpen it. You can also use a crank or an automatic sharpener to quickly sharpen your blades. 

What angle should I sharpen my circular saw blade at?

The ideal angle to sharpen your blade is usually between 15 degrees to 20 degrees. Remember to sharpen all teeth at the same angle. 

Should I sharpen my circular saw blade by hand? 

Sharpening your circular saw blade by hand can be really dangerous. However, you could wear protective gear to avoid any accidents. 

How will I know if I should sharpen my circular saw blade? 

If your blade is burning the wood or not giving clean cuts, it could be time to change your circular saw blade. 

Moreover, if your blade is starting to rust or become dull, this could be an indicator as well. 

Is sharpening my circular saw blade myself worth it? 

Sharpening your circular saw blade could save you money in the long run. You can also save time if you do it at home. 

How to Sharpen A Circular Saw Blade by Hand – Final Verdict 

Now that we have reached the end of this article, we hope that it is easy for you to understand how to sharpen a circular saw blade by hand.

It can be really dangerous if you do not do it right, which is why we suggest that you read this article before you get started. 

In case you want to know anything further, do let us know in the comments below. 

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