Table Saw Riving Knife
What hazard does the riving knife primarily control?
Kickback caused by kerf closure, stock tension, or binding at the rear of the blade.
Why is a riving knife preferred over a fixed splitter in many modern saws?
Because it tracks blade height and stays close to the blade, making it more usable across a broader range of cuts while still controlling the opening of the kerf.
Is a riving knife the same as a blade guard?
No. The riving knife is a kerf-control device; the blade guard is a physical barrier intended to reduce contact with the blade and is often paired with anti-kickback pawls for through-cuts.
A table saw riving knife is a kickback-prevention device mounted behind the blade, aligned with it, and designed to keep the kerf open so the cut workpiece cannot pinch the blade and eject backward toward the operator. It moves with the blade as height changes, unlike a fixed splitter, and is used in ripping and other kickback-risk operations.
On a manufacturing or shop floor, the riving knife is installed on table saws used for ripping, where board stress, internal tension, warped stock, or improper fence alignment can cause the kerf to close and kick the stock back. Operators keep it fitted for most cutting tasks to prevent the workpiece from pinching the rear of the blade. It is often used with a blade guard and anti-kickback pawls for through-cuts; for non-through cuts, it may remain in place when the guard cannot be used, per manufacturer instructions. Supervisors verify the knife is the correct size, aligned with the blade, not removed unnecessarily, and maintained in good condition as a core machine-guarding control.
Operating without the riving knife installed during ripping or other kickback-prone cuts, which defeats a recognized protective device required by WorkSafeBC guidance.
Removing the knife for convenience and continuing to rip or perform cuts with kickback risk, even though guidance and manufacturer instructions restrict removal to specific operations only.
Using the wrong accessory setup—such as poor alignment, incompatible blade/knife combination, or failing to use the blade guard/pawls where required—so the knife no longer maintains the kerf effectively and kickback risk rises.