Evolution Rage Circular Saw

Scott Teagle finds out if the Evolution Rage circular saw deserves its name

Not your standard circular saw, this one. Combining hi-torque motor and gearbox, the Evolution Rage stands out for its ability to cut a combination of materials. It's well-made cast-alloy blade housing doubles as a highly convenient dust collector which not only has a handy window to check the level but also a supplied dust nozzle for extraction, should you prefer.

Undo two bright orange thumbscrews to release the blade housing and you get easy access to the spindle lock. Additionally, thanks to its ultra high-grade negative-rake TCT blade, it produces a thinner cut, reducing the amount of material wasted.

The saw design and blade work together as a team to cut straight and capture hot shavings that could otherwise burn your hand and the surrounding area. It features a replaceable window safety shield that allows you to see exactly where the blade cuts.

It's heavy-duty build has all the confidence of American construction - overly large and heavy but highly reliable and capable. The baseplate is a good standard steel with the usual 45 degree tilting facility which is enabled on the front bracket. The guides are fairly accurate but to assist even more the Evolution Rage has a window just behind the front bracket allowing you to see precisely where your cut is being made.

The test

I tested this saw with some reclaimed scaffolding boards capped with nail plates filled with nails and industrial staples. The saw had no problems rip-cutting nor cross-grain cutting through the board. To be honest I hardly noticed when the blade encountered a change of material!

The verdict

With a specification somewhat lower than other manufacturers' models, this saw was surprisingly sturdy and effective. Considering that it is marketed with the key feature of cutting multiple materials, I think they have it spot on. If you require a sturdy multi-purpose cutting tool then I would not hesitate in recommending this one.