Why Remove Riving Knife?

When you watch woodworking shows on TV, you'll often see that the riving knife, anti-kickback pawls, and blade guards have been removed. ... Because this type of blade does not create a through cut, a riving knife would serve no purpose. In fact, it would actually get in the way, blocking the completion of the cut.

Does a riving knife prevent kickback?

Riving knives and splitters

When it comes to preventing kickback, the best tool for the job is either a riving knife or a splitter. Each of these plates sits aft of the blade and, when properly aligned, as shown in Photo B, keeps the workpiece against the fence to deny it access to the rising rear saw teeth.

What's the purpose of a riving knife?

A riving knife rides within the kerf, pivoting on the saw's arbor in relation to blade height, to maintain an even gap between the two cut sides of the board, preventing jamming which could cause the stock to be forcefully ejected rearward toward the saw's operator.