A riving knife is a safety device that is mounted behind the saw blade on a table saw. Its purpose is to prevent the kickback of the workpiece when the blade becomes pinched or bound. The riving knife must be positioned so that it is within 1/8″ of the thickness of the workpiece.
If you’re a woodworker, or even if you just do a lot of DIY projects at home, you’ve probably noticed that there are a lot of different types of saws available. One type of saw that you may not be familiar with is a table saw. A table saw is a powerful tool that can make quick work of many woodworking tasks.
But what is a riving knife on a table saw?
A riving knife is a safety feature that is found on some table saws. It’s essentially a small blade that is mounted behind the main blade.
The purpose of the riving knife is to help prevent kickback. Kickback happens when the blade catches on the material and kicks it back towards the user. This can be extremely dangerous and even fatal.
The riving knife helps to prevent this by keeping the material from being caught by the blade in the first place.
If your table saw has a riving knife, be sure to use it properly and keep it well-maintained. It could save your life one day!
Function of Riving Knives for Table Saws
What is a Riving Knife on a Circular Saw
If you’re a carpenter, contractor, or just a do-it-yourselfer, chances are you’ve used a circular saw. These versatile tools can make quick work of lots of different cuts. But have you ever wondered what that extra blade on the side of your saw is for?
That’s called a riving knife, and it’s an important part of using your saw safely.
A riving knife is a small blade that sits behind the main cutting blade on your saw. Its purpose is to help prevent kickback, which can happen when the blade gets bound up in the material you’re cutting.
Kickback can be dangerous, so it’s important to use your riving knife whenever possible.
To use your riving knife, simply position it so that it’s just behind the cutting blade. When the blade comes into contact with the material, the riving knife will help keep it from getting stuck.
This will help reduce the risk of kickback and make for a smoother cut overall.
So next time you’re reaching for your circular saw, be sure to put that extra Blade to good use!

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-What is a Riving Knife on a Table Saw
A riving knife is a safety device that is mounted on the arbor of a table saw. It is positioned between the blade and the fence, and it helps to prevent kickback by keeping the workpiece from being pinched between the blade and the fence. Kickback can occur when the workpiece is fed into the blade too quickly or if it binds against the fence.
A riving knife helps to reduce the risk of kickback by allowing the workpiece to be cut without being pinched.
Most table saws come with a riving knife that is installed at the factory, but some models allow for an aftermarket riving knife to be installed. Riving knives are available in different sizes and shapes, so it is important to choose one that is compatible with your saw.
Some riving knives can be used with both standard and dado blades, while others are designed for use with only one type of blade.
Installing a riving knife requires some disassembly of the table saw, so it is important to consult your owner’s manual before attempting to install one yourself. In most cases, installing a riving knife is a relatively simple task that can be completed in about an hour.
Conclusion
A riving knife is a safety device that is attached to the back of a table saw. It is used to prevent the kickback of the saw blade when it comes into contact with the workpiece. The riving knife is positioned between the saw blade and the fence, and it moves up and down with the blade.
When the blade is in contact with the workpiece, the riving knife prevents the kickback from happening.