Pegas vs. Olson

[neal560sl]

What Pegas blade is equal to the Olson Mach series of blades?

[fredfret]

Modified geometry 

[stoney]

I can't speak to Olsen blades they are marketing now I haven't bought any in probably 20 years.   What I can tell you is the Pegas MG blades seem to be more aggressive then the Flying Dutchman blades I have been using for quite some time.   From what I read here some really like the Olson Mach but there are many others that really like the Pegas MG.   I have used the Pegas MG blades and really like them for thicker wood like 1" thick and up.     

Edited December 20, 2018 by stoney

[neal560sl]

Thank you for the responses, I kind of thought it was the modified geometry, because I have some of about all their other blades and nothing comes close to the Mach #3 blades I use.  I will have to get some to try.  I love the Mach blades so if they are better than those I would be very happy.  Thanks again.

[OCtoolguy]

I was all set to buy a bunch of the Olson Mach 3 blades until Iggy, who probably cuts more than any of us, chose to change over from the Olson blades to the Pegas MG after giving them a test run. So, I tried them and I like them too.

 

[kmmcrafts]

Guess it's a matter of opinion but... I like the modified Geometry better than the Mach blades.. Try a couple packs around the size you like.. my experience is that the Pegas seem like they run a little smaller.. I've never really check the actual dimensions of he blades to see if that's true.. But where I was using a #3 in a Mach blade I found that seemed like to me the #5 was a closer comparison.. Maybe just my goofy brain thinking that.. but anyway.. I'd get a package of a few different sizes to see what size works best for you.. 

[Rockytime]

I have and use both. I tend to use the #5 Pegas MG the most but sometimes I use whatever is closest to my hand. I think the difference is small unlike comparing a Yugo to a Ferrari.

[neal560sl]

I am definitely am going to have to order some.  Thanks again everyone.

[Doc58]

Something I found useful when I first started checking out blades (because my memory isn't all that good) was to buy a wide range of brands and sizes, then cut a wide range (actually, only the timber I usually use) and cut scraps into a variety of shapes.

Note the finish and speed used for each blade.

Label each scrap with the blade used.

This provides a quick ready reference to which blade to use on what timber.

Of course, years later I find I only actually use about four different blades 

[Rockytime]

Yesterday I started cutting a portrait from 1/8" BB and double stacked it. I started cutting with a Pegas MG #1 blade. I had trouble following the lines because I had difficulty separating the black lines from the black blade. The blade is so quick that it caused me to over cut at times even though the speed was cut way down. I scrapped the piece. Today I went to Office Depot and got red patterns. I cut some new 8X10 pieces affixed the pattern. I began cutting with the #1 Pegas and even with the red pattern it was too aggressive. I switched to a #3 Pegas MG blade but soon I discovered the few reverse teeth at the bottom of the blade tended to lift the pattern in very small areas of cutting. I am using 2M 45 spray adhesive and use a roller to make sure adhesion is achieved. It happened cutting small areas around the eyes. I finally switched to a #1 Olson Skip Tooth which seems to be about a similar size to the #3 Pegas. I was able to increase the cutting speed and still have excellent control. That has been my experience. Everyone else's experience may vary.

[kmmcrafts]

Glad to see I'm not the only one that jumps all over the place with blade types, sizes, and brands.. I have a few Olsen blades that are my go to blade for certain saw and materials I use.. Also use a few of the Flying dutchman brand and sizes and yes.. my most used blade is the Pegas modified geometry.. but again... this really depends upon what saw I'm cutting on.... and.... the project at hand... This is why I always hate to answer those " what blade to use " questions that seem to pop up on here about once a month, LOL.. and many will reply with their opinion of the best blade.. but neither mention what type of project they are working on... LOL..

[NC Scroller]

I am not really an Olsen fan. Had a couple bad experiences.  Now I use mostly Pegas (Modified Geometry)  and Flying Dutchman (Ultra Reverse).  I also use FD Polar blades for compound cutting.  Because I find the Pegas more aggressive then Flying Dutchman I drop down a size.  In other words my "go to blade" in Flying Dutchman is a #5 and in Pegas it is a #3.  When cutting delicate areas I use the Flying Dutchman.

For attaching my patterns I only use 3M Super 77 and I have never had a lift off issue.  I have tried other spray glues and glue sticks , 3M products and other brands, but and only the 3M Super 77 has not let me down.    

Rockytime, though I do 100's of different projects a year I never cut less then 3 pieces of 1/8" Baltic birch at a time.  I find that 1 or even 2 pieces do not offer enough resistance thus the blade cuts too easily and makes it harder to control.

[kmmcrafts]

If cutting with the DeWalt or Excalibur.. I stack 3 1/8" pieces... I'm able to do two real easy on the Hawk 226 though.. 

I also do the blade size change from one style blade to another... but also do the same per saw I use... I find I use a larger blade on the Hawks and a smaller blade on the other saws... My main blades are Pegas MG #5 or FD UR #5 I like Olsen spirals.. but also like the FD NS spirals too.. Bought a few samples of the Pegas spirals.. but have very limited use on them yet.. I hink the number sizes on Pegas run smaller than that of the other brands.. ie a number 5 pegas seems more like what a number 4 FD-UR blade would be.. I know they don't have a 4.. just saying it seems a little smaller than a 5 but slightly larger than a 3... If that makes any sense LOL.. 

With spirals on the FD brand.. I typically use smaller sizes than I would for a straight blade.. ie if I normally use a number 3-5 straight blade on a cutting.. If I was to use a spiral... I'd drop to a number 1 or even a 0/1.. I very rarely use anything above a number 1 in a spiral.. as I don't care for the wide kerf it makes.. and the corners are not nearly as tight with the larger blades..   

[poupster2]

I've yet to try the Pegas or FD but I can speak highly about the Olson Mach Blades and the PGTs(Precision Ground Tooth). The Mach series are really good and fairly aggressive but do not stay sharp as long as the PGT . I really like that the Mach series has #3 as PGT starts at #5. The PGT on the other has stays the sharpest of all the blades that I have used in the past 15 years and after the cut is done the cut piece looks like is was polished. I almost never need to sand that edge because of that.  The down side of the PGT is it price at $45 a gross.  But ... you get an incredibly smooth cut with the PGT.  

Edited January 4, 2019 by poupster2

[neal560sl]

7 hours ago, poupster2 said:

I've yet to try the Pegas or FD but I can speak highly about the Olson Mach Blades and the PGTs(Precision Ground Tooth). The Mach series are really good and fairly aggressive but do not stay sharp as long as the PGT . I really like that the Mach series has #3 as PGT starts at #5. The PGT on the other has stays the sharpest of all the blades that I have used in the past 15 years and after the cut is done the cut piece looks like is was polished. I almost never need to sand that edge because of that.  The down side of the PGT is it price at $45 a gross.  But ... you get an incredibly smooth cut with the PGT.  

I love the Olson mach blades.  I use the mach #3 blade almost exclusively and get that same polished look on the edges that you mentioned.