Dang! I should have finished the thread before I threw in my 2 cents. You're right, John. I'll hafta watch my drift a little more closely from now on.johnmccrossen wrote: but seems like we may be drifting a bit afar from the original subject.
About stiffeners-- Many years ago I bought the WoodWorker II by Forest (a 'special' from Bridge City Tool Works) for $105, including the stiffener. At the time, it was recommended that the stiffener be used because the blade body was thinner than the usual.
I use it for everything except deep cuts that are restricted by the stiffener. I just pop another pre-arbored blade in to make that cut, then clean that off with a "shave" pass by the WW (stiffener only on one side).
I don't know if the stiffener makes the blade quieter, but I strongly suspect it helps in blade flexure (did I just make up a word?) when 'shaving' less than a kerf's worth off the end or edge of a piece. For that I leave it on.