fret slotting blade - StewMac or LMI?

[Rodent]

for those with experience with the fret slotting blades, what's your thoughts on which one is better - the StewMac or the LMI?

- both have a 5/8" arbor (the LMI is also available with a 1" arbor)
- both have a .023" kerf (the LMI is also available with a .025" kerf)

the StewMac blade is machined down along the outer cutting edge and requires no dampeners ... the LMI blade is a constant thickness and requires dampeners. StewMac is significantly cheaper given that you need to also order dampeners for the LMI ... but is the LMI a better quality blade that warrants the added expense?

which way to go???

all the best,

R

[wilser]

stewmac's doesn't need the stiffeners and in my book is a better value. of course, I may just be trying to justify my purchase, but it has worked wonderfully for me.

[erikbojerik]

+1 for the StewMac blade.

I've probably cut 50 fretboard with it, including acrylicized fretboards (harder than ebony or bloodwood by far) with no problems, still going strong.

[Dirk Diggler]

Yep I concur with the Stew Mac blade. So far only done 2 with it, and it worked great, but the stiffener thing turned me off to the LMI.
But anything has to be better than hand cutting.
Dirk