The authors evaluated the cutting force influence of rake angle, cutting thickness and cutting speed to provide the basis for rational design and use of circular saw blades on Chinese fir, Mongolian pine and Manchurian ash specimens. The results indicated that the principal and perpendicular cutting forces decreased with increasing rake angle and cutting thickness. It was also observed that cutting speed had little impact on principal and perpendicular cutting forces. The optimal cutting parameter settings for different wood species were proposed.