Patent Publication Number: US-7913432-B2

Title: Cutting tooth assembly with reversible tooth

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/560,582 filed Nov. 16, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,713,006 which claims priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/736,832 filed Nov. 16, 2005, the entire specification of each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to a cutting tooth assembly for a rotary cutting machine, and particularly to a cutting tooth assembly having a cutting tooth with a plurality of cutting edges and which is detachable from a corresponding tooth holder. In addition, the tooth is configured and disposed so as to be reversible. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Circular saws, particularly relatively large ones, are used in various applications which include, but are not limited to, felling trees and other natural plant growth in the forestry industry, cutting rock and/or earth in the mining and construction industries, cutting up items such as used tires and other man-made products in various industrial applications, and in agriculture. Relatively smaller circular saws are further used in countless other smaller-scale applications, from home renovation to commercial construction. Depending on the type of circular saw, the central disk of the saw either rotates (for the smaller circular saws) or remains rotationally fixed but has teeth on linked holders which rotate about the periphery of the saw disk, much as per chain saws. 
     Regardless of the type of circular saw, a plurality of such cutting teeth rotate, whether independently about the periphery of the rotationally-stationary disk or together with the rotating disk when fixed thereto, in order to cut into the workpiece material to be cut. 
     Particularly with known saw teeth used on large circular saws, such as those used for felling trees or cutting through large volumes of man-made materials, each saw tooth may be removable from its associated holder and typically includes at least several separate cutting edges thereon. Thus, when one cutting edge wears or becomes damaged and thus unsuitable for cutting, i.e. optimum cutting, the tooth in question can be removed from the holder and replaced back in place thereon with a different cutting edge in position for contacting the workpiece. Once all the cutting edges on any saw tooth have been used, the tooth can be removed from the holder and either replaced with a new tooth or repaired and/or sharpened and replaced back in position. 
     Some such removable saw teeth and their associated holders are described in the following U.S. Patents, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,199 issued on Apr. 27, 1993, U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,752 issued on Apr. 19, 1994, U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,719 issued on May 3, 1994 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,965 issued on Jul. 8, 1997, all to Charles D. MacLennan. Typically, such saw teeth include up to four cutting edges on a front face of the tooth, and have a flat rear face, opposite said front face, which abuts with a corresponding surface on the holder against which the tooth is fastened in engagement. 
     However, while such removable saw teeth for circular saws permit improved tooth life span in comparison with fixed (i.e. non-removable or non-rotatable) teeth, improvement is nonetheless desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved saw tooth for a rotary cutting machine. 
     Therefore, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cutting tooth assembly for a rotary cutting machine, the cutting tooth assembly comprising: a tooth holder adapted for mounting about the periphery of a rotating element of the rotary cutting machine; and a reversible cutting tooth, removably mounted to said tooth holder, said cutting tooth having opposed first and second cutting faces respectively disposed on oppositely facing front and rear sides of the tooth, the first and second cutting faces being spaced apart along a central tooth axis extending between the first and second cutting faces on the front and rear sides, each of said first and second cutting faces at least partially defining more than two cutting edges, said cutting tooth being reversible by 180 degrees about a transverse tooth axis, transverse to the central tooth axis, to thereby dispose a selected one of said first and second cutting faces in an operable cutting position when mounted to said tooth holder. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cutting tooth assembly for a rotary cutting machine, comprising: a cutting tooth removably fastenable to a tooth holder of a rotary cutting machine and an adapter for mounting intermediately between said cutting tooth and said tooth holder, said cutting tooth having opposed first and second cutting faces respectively disposed on oppositely facing front and rear sides of the cutting tooth, the first and second cutting faces being spaced apart along a central tooth axis extending between the first and second cutting faces on the front and rear sides, each of said first and second cutting faces at least partially defining more than two cutting edges, said cutting tooth being reversible by 180 degrees about a transverse tooth axis to thereby dispose a selected one of said first and second cutting faces in an operable cutting position when mounted to said tooth holder. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cutting tooth assembly for a rotary cutting machine comprising: a tooth holder for mounting on the periphery of a circular rotating element of the rotary cutting machine, the tooth holder having a longitudinal axis extending substantially tangential to the periphery of the circular rotating element when the tooth holder is mounted thereon; a reversible cutting tooth, removably mounted to said tooth holder, the cutting tooth having opposed first and second cutting faces respectively disposed on oppositely facing front and rear sides of the cutting tooth, the first and second cutting faces being spaced apart along a central tooth axis extending between the first and second cutting faces on the front and rear sides, each of said first and second cutting faces at least partially defining more than two cutting edges, said cutting tooth being reversible by 180 degrees about a transverse tooth axis to thereby dispose a selected one of said first and second cutting faces in an operable cutting position when mounted to said tooth holder; and the tooth holder including a seat for receiving the reversible cutting tooth, wherein the central axis of the cutting tooth is disposed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the holder. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a saw tooth assembly in accordance with one aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the saw tooth assembly of  FIG. 1 , shown mounted on a disk of a rotary cutting machine; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a saw tooth of the saw tooth assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4   a  is a cross-sectional view of the saw tooth of  FIG. 3 , taken through line  4 - 4  thereof; 
         FIG. 4   b  is a front elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the saw tooth of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an adapter of the saw tooth assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a saw tooth assembly in accordance with another aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a saw tooth of the saw tooth assembly of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the saw tooth of  FIG. 7 , taken through line  8 - 8  thereof; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an adapter of the saw tooth assembly of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a saw tooth in accordance with another aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an adapted for use with the saw tooth of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a saw tooth in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12A  is a side elevation view of a variant of the saw tooth of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of a saw tooth in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a saw tooth in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a front elevation view of a saw tooth in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a front elevation view of a saw tooth in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a saw tooth holder in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a saw tooth holder in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 19  is a partially sectioned, side elevation view of a saw tooth assembly in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a saw tooth in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 20A  is a cross-sectional view of the saw tooth of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a side elevation view of a saw tooth assembly in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 22  is a partially exploded side elevation view of a saw tooth assembly in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 23  is a side elevation view of a saw tooth assembly in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of a saw tooth holder in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view of a saw tooth assembly in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 26  is a perspective view of a saw tooth assembly in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 27  is a plan view of a saw disk for a rotary cutting machine, having saw tooth assemblies thereon in accordance with one aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 28  is a perspective view of a saw tooth holder in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 29  is a partially sectioned, side elevation view of a saw tooth assembly in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 30  is a partially sectioned, side elevation view of a saw tooth assembly in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 31  is a partially sectioned, side elevation view of a saw tooth assembly in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 32  is a perspective view of a saw tooth of the saw tooth assembly of  FIG. 31 ; 
         FIG. 33  is a perspective view of a saw tooth holder in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 34  is a side elevation view of a saw tooth assembly in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The term “saw tooth” or “cutting tooth” is used herein to refer to a cutting implement or tooth for use, in at least one embodiment, in a rotary cutting machine for which replaceable teeth may be provided, such as a circular saw having a saw disk with such replaceable saw teeth mounted about the periphery thereof, either fixed directly thereto or through a tooth holder. However, a cutting tooth in accordance with the present invention may be used in any cutting machine for which replaceable cutting teeth may be desired, and which can be used to cut any number of materials and/or products. 
     Referring first to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 to 5 , a cutting tooth assembly  11  which is adapted, in at least one application of the present invention, to be mounted about the periphery of a rotatable element of a rotary cutting machine, such as a circular saw disk  15  (see  FIG. 2 ) of circular saw for example, the cutting tooth assembly  11  generally comprises at least a tooth holder  12  and a replaceable cutting tooth  10  removably mounted thereto. Although the terms “saw tooth” and “saw tooth holder” may be used herein, it is to be understood that these terms include cutting teeth of other types as well as mating tooth holders of other types, i.e. which are not necessary part of a “saw” per se. Additionally, in at least one embodiment the saw tooth assembly  14  also includes an adapter  14  for mounting the tooth  10  to the holder portion  12 . The saw tooth holder  12  includes a main body portion  16  and a pair of parallel plate-like legs  18  depending from opposite sides of the body portion  16  to define a slot  20  therebetween. It is to be understood, however that only a single such plate-like leg  18  may also be used. The slot  20  is adapted for receiving a peripheral edge of the saw disk  15  therein. At least one of the depending legs  18  includes at least one transverse hole  22  therethrough which corresponds to at least one aligned hole formed in the saw disk, such that a fastening element (such as a bolt or rivet, for example) can be disposed through the transverse hole  22  and the corresponding aligned hole in the saw disk in order to fasten the saw tooth holder thereto. In the embodiment depicted, two transverse holes  22  are provided through each of the depending legs  18  of the saw tooth holder  12 . While this means of attaching the saw tooth holder  12  to a saw disk or other rotating element of the cutting machine is described, it is to be understood that other attachment means, either permanent or removable, may be employed in order to fasten such a saw tooth holder  12  to the necessary components of the cutting machine for operation thereof. In particular, a holder having only one pair of plate-like legs  18  may be used, or conversely, having more than two pairs of plate-like legs  18 . The holder may also be permanently fixed to, or alternately integrated into, the saw disk. Further, in accordance with another embodiment, the saw disk may be fashioned so as to have a holder-like structure made or cut therein so as to directly, removably attach a saw tooth there on, as shown in  FIG. 27  for example. 
     The replaceable saw teeth and the saw tooth assemblies of the present invention as described herein are generally intended, in one embodiment, for use in a rotary cutting machine, such as a circular saw, particularly one used for cutting trees in a feller/buncher employed in the forestry industry. However, it is to be understood that the saw teeth and the saw tooth assemblies of the present invention may be employed in any other rotary cutting machines, whether used for cutting wood products or other items. Such rotary cutting machines may include, but are not limited to, feller/bunchers, large-scale and small-scale circular saws, chainsaws, and the like. 
     The saw tooth  10  is removably fastened to the saw tooth holder  12 , and is thus replaceable when dulled, (e.g. completely dulled) and/or damaged, with a replacement saw tooth, either the same as the one being removed or having an alternate configuration, such as for example one of the other embodiments described herein. The saw tooth  10  includes at least more than four cutting edges, particularly having more than two cutting edges defined at least partially by two opposed faces of the saw tooth such that the tooth is reversible in order to expose anyone of the at least two cutting edges defined on each of the opposed faces of the saw tooth. In one embodiment, the saw tooth  10  includes four cutting edges defined on and/or by a first face thereof and four additional cutting edges defined on and/or by an opposed second face, and thus having a total of eight cutting edges. This permits each saw tooth  10  to be rotated, such as in 90 degree increments, about a central axis (longitudinally extending between opposed cutting faces) thereof in order to position any one of the four cutting edges on the first face in an operable cutting position relative to the tooth holder. Subsequently for example, once all four first such cutting edges have been dulled and/or damaged, or as required or desired, the saw tooth is reversible by 180° about a transverse axis, i.e. from front to back, in order to expose the opposed second cutting face which itself defines four more cutting edges. The 90 degree incremental rotation, i.e. about a central longitudinal axis  42  (see  FIGS. 3-4   b ), may then begin such that any one of the four cutting edges on the second face may be placed in an operable cutting position. As may be understood, the expression ‘operable cutting position’ may describe the position of a reversible tooth wherein one or alternatively two of the cutting edges are to be employed in the cutting action of the tooth. The saw tooth  10  will be described in further detail below. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , the saw tooth  10  may be mounted either directly to the saw tooth holder  12 , or may be mounted thereto using an adapter  14  intermediately mounted, i.e. disposed, therebetween. The adapter  14  will be described in greater detail below, however in a particular embodiment, the adapter  14  generally includes a rear substantially planar face  46 , which is adapted to abut a corresponding surface  24  of the saw tooth holder  12 , and an opposed front face  48 , which is configured to correspond to the first and second cutting faces  26 , 28  of the saw tooth  10  such that mating contact therebetween is possible. Accordingly, the adapter  14  permits the saw tooth  10  having cutting faces on two sides thereof to be mounted against at least one planar surface  24  of the saw tooth holder  12 . In accordance with a particular embodiment, adapter  14  permits a saw tooth  10  having cutting faces on two sides thereof to be flush mounted against at least one planar surface  24  of the saw tooth holder  12 . 
     However, in a further embodiment, such an adapter  14  may be eliminated, providing that the saw tooth holder  12  is so configured such as to be able to permit the saw tooth  10  having opposed cutting faces  26 , 28  to be mounted, i.e. securely mounted, thereagainst. For example, the saw tooth holder  12  may be configured with a surface which corresponds to, and mates with, the cutting faces of the saw tooth  10 , as depicted in  FIGS. 17 and 18  showing the holders  112  and  212 . In other words, the shape and configuration of the adapter  14  (particularly that of the outer face  48  thereof) maybe be integrally formed into the surface  24  of the saw tooth holder  12 . Alternatively, an adapter  14  may be affixed to, i.e. permanently affixed, the saw tooth holder  12  in order to achieve substantially the same effect as having a holder integrally formed into surface  24  of the saw tooth holder  12 . Although providing both the corresponding surface on the saw tooth holder and the rear face of the adapter  14  with substantially flat planar surfaces for secure abutment therebetween is depicted, other mating surface configurations remain possible, providing abutment, i.e. secure abutment, between the two surfaces is maintained. For example, mating concave and convex surfaces between the saw tooth holder  12  and the adapter  14  are possible, thus helping to locate and secure the adapter in place on the saw tooth holder. The use of a key and corresponding groove in surfaces  24  and  46  may also be use. 
     A bolt  13  or other suitable fastening element may be used to removably fasten both the saw tooth  10  and the adapter  14  to the saw tooth holder  12 . As may be understood, if an adapter  14  is integrally formed with or subsequently affixed to tooth holder  12 , bolt  13  may only removably secure saw tooth  10  to saw tooth holder  12 . The holder  12  and the adapter  14  are each provided with an aperture therein, within which the bolt  13  is receivable for removably fastening the saw tooth (as well as the adapter if present) to the holder. Although the aperture  38  as depicted is a through-bore, it is to be understood that two opposed apertures, one defined in each of the cutting faces of the tooth, may be used without requiring that these apertures extend fully through the body of the tooth. As described in further detail below, saw tooth  10  may also include an aperture therethrough, in alignment with the corresponding apertures through the holder  12  and the adapter  14 . The aperture within at least the saw tooth may include an internal thread for engagement with the threaded bolt  13 , such that tightening of the head of the bolt  13  acts to draw and/or force the saw tooth  10  securely against the tooth holder for fastening the tooth in place thereon. As may be understood, one or both of the holder  12  and the adapter  14  may also be provided with an internal thread. Alternately, neither the holder, adapter or saw tooth may have such an internal thread therewithin. In this case, the bolt or other fastening element, may fasten these elements together using an additional nut threadably engaged to with the bolt  13 . For example, either the bolt head or the nut may be so configured to correspond to the shape of the cutting faces, such that it is abutted thereagainst without unduly protruding therefrom so as not to obstruct or otherwise reduce the effectiveness of the cutting edges. In  FIG. 1 , the bolt  13  extends through the tooth, adapter and holder, with the head of the bolt being proximate to the saw tooth, i.e. the bolt is inserted from the front of the cutting face of the tooth rearwardly towards the holder. When this embodiment is used, however, it is to be understood that the head of the bolt must not interfere with the cutting faces and/or edges on the exposed cutting face of the saw tooth and also must permit the cut chips/shavings to be able to exit the cutting face. Thus, in one embodiment (not shown) the head of the bolt is of the type which is chamfered such that once fully tightened it lies flush with the surrounding surface. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , however, the bolt is mounted and introduced in the opposite manner, such that once installed the bolt head is proximate the rear surface of the holder. It is understood that either mounting configuration of the fastener (bolt or otherwise) may be used. 
     Further, all of the saw tooth assemblies described herein may includes a fastener, such as the bolt  13 , either alone or in combination with a sleeve with which the bold can mate. The sleeve may be internally threaded, such as to act like a nut which threadably mates with the bolt  13 , and in instructed into the aligned bores of each of the components of the assembly from an opposite end to the head of the bolt. Thus, when such an internally threaded sleeve is used, the bores through the center of the saw tooth, the adapter and/or the saw tooth holder may be smooth and thus not threaded. A second back sleeve may also be used at the end of the holder through which the bolt is inserted, and through which the bolt extends. 
     Referring now to the saw tooth  10  in greater detail as depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the tooth  10  includes at least a first cutting face  26 , a second cutting face  28  opposite the first cutting face, and a number of side faces, for example, four main side faces  30  which extend between, and space apart, the first and second cutting faces  26 ,  28 . Additional intermediate side faces  32  may extend between the first and second cutting faces  26 , 28  and may be disposed between adjacent major side faces  30 . Alternatively, fewer than four side faces  32  may be used, for example, three side faces. Each of the first and second cutting faces  26 ,  28  may define four individual cutting edges  34  (i.e. four cutting edges  34  on the first cutting face  26  and four cutting edges  34  on the second cutting face  28 ), which are disposed about the perimeter of each of the cutting faces  26 ,  28 , and which may be equally spaced thereabout in the embodiment shown. The four cutting edges  34  of each of the first and second cutting faces  26 ,  28  are more precisely defined at the intersection of inner surfaces  36  of the cutting faces and the side faces  30 ,  32  of the saw tooth. In the embodiment shown, the actual cutting edges  34  are defined specifically at the intersection of the intermediate side faces  32  and the inner surfaces  36  of each of the first and second cutting faces  26 ,  28 . Alternatively, if no intermediate side  32  is provided, the cutting edges  34  may be defined at the intersection of the inner surfaces  36  of the cutting faces  26 ,  28  and of two adjacent side faces  30 . In such an embodiment, the cutting edges, i.e. cutting surfaces,  34  may be disposed so as to finish at a point, i.e. a peak, or alternatively the cutting edge  34  may be truncated, similar to that shown in  FIG. 3 . In any of the possible embodiments, the cutting edge may also extend downwardly along the intersection edge  37  between the inner surfaces  36  and each of the side faces  30 . 
     The remaining angled intersection edge  37  defined at the intersection of each of the side faces  30  and the inner surfaces  36  of the cutting faces  26  and  28  may act as a raking edge. Thus, as may be understood, most of the cutting action of the saw tooth  10  into the material to be cut, such as wood for example, may occur mainly or principally at the cutting edges  34 , such as those in the embodiment depicted, disposed at the outermost tips of each of the four triangular prisms or projections which in part define each of the first and second cutting faces, in the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 3 and 4 . While the outermost tips provide a majority of the cutting action, the inner cutting tips also help maintain a satisfactory width of the kerf produced in the material being cut. This is described in further detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,952 issued Jan. 9, 1996, the entire specification of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     As may be understood, alternative embodiments, configurations and shapes of the cutting faces  26 ,  28  are contemplated. For example, the four prisms, triangular or otherwise, may have a flat surface or may have a curved surface, for example a concave surface, or an inverted toroidal surface. Further, one or more of said prisms may have a different configuration from the others. Each of the first and second cutting faces  26 ,  28  are identical in the embodiment depicted. However providing that the adapter  14  (or the holder  12  in the case when no adapter is employed) is capable of adequately mating with both of the first and second cutting faces  26 , 28  these may differ in shape, configuration and/or cutting edge location. Additionally, the adapter  14  may have its two opposed faces, i.e. front and back, which are not identical, such that one face of adapter  14  may mate with one face  26 , while the other face of adapter  14  may mate with the other face  28 . Further, each of the major side faces  30  defines a plane which may be perpendicular to the plane of the next adjacent side face  30 , and has a perimeter thereabout in each such plane which may form a planar shape. This planar shape, for the cutting tooth  10  depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , defines an angular hourglass-like shape. Regardless of the particular planar shape so formed, it may be identical for each of the side faces  30 . Thus, each of the side faces  30  may be of similar dimensions, such that the saw tooth  10  may define a substantially square cross-sectional area taken through a plane  41  transversally extending through the tooth  10  between the spaced apart first and second cutting faces  26 ,  28 . The plane  41  may be perpendicular to the central axis  42  extending through the saw tooth  10 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 ,  4   a  and  4   b , first cutting face  26  may further comprise bottom surfaces  31  which are disposed intermediate the aperture  38  and the triangular prisms  44  disposed at each corner of the cutting tooth. As shown, the bottom surfaces are concave, however it is understood that they may be flat, i.e. substantially devoid of curvature. Further, said bottom surfaces  31  may be inclined, i.e. their outermost edge may be higher than their innermost edge or alternatively, both outer and inner edges may be at the same level, with an intermediate point being lower than either of the outer or inner edge. In addition to bottom surfaces  31 , first cutting face  26  may also comprise further interior surfaces  33 , which interior surfaces  33  are illustrated as being bound by two adjacent bottom surfaces  31  and aperture  38 . Said bottom surfaces  33  may be flat, i.e. substantially devoid of curvature, concave or otherwise. However it is understood that they may be curved, i.e. concave. Further, said bottom surfaces  31  may be inclined, i.e. their outermost edge may be higher than their innermost edge or alternatively, both outer and inner edges may be at the same level. 
     Central aperture  38  extends, in the embodiment shown, completely through the saw tooth  10  between the first and second cutting faces  26 , 28 . The aperture  38  is provided with an internal thread therein, such that the bolt  13  (see  FIG. 2 ) is threadably engageable therewith to removably fasten the saw tooth  10  in place on the holder  12 . The aperture  38  has a central longitudinal axis  40  extending therethrough which is coaxial with the central axis  42  of the saw tooth  10 . Alternatively, aperture  38  may be replaced by two apertures disposed respectively through each of face  26  and  28 , wherein each of said apertures is not in communication with the other. In an alternative embodiment, the saw tooth  10  may be provided with an aperture which is not threaded, i.e. for example, it may have a smooth inner wall. In such an embodiment, the bolt  13  may be sized and configured so as to releasably engage a nut which will cause the tooth  10  (and adapter  14 , if needed) to be held to the holder  12 . When the saw tooth  10  is in use, this nut may be disposed in threaded engagement with the bolt on the cutting face (either  26  or  28 ) disposed in an operable cutting position, as shown in  FIG. 1  for example. 
     According to a particular embodiment, each of the side faces  30  and  32  of the saw tooth may be substantially parallel to the central tooth axis  42 . In this manner the tooth is not tapered relative to the central axis  42 , i.e. there is no taper of the side faces  30  and  32  from one cutting face  26  to the other cutting face  28  or vice versa. The saw tooth  10  may further be symmetric about two perpendicular planes of symmetry which intersect along this central axis  42 , said two planes being both normal to the transverse plane  41 . Further, when rotated about the central axis  42  in increments of about 90 degrees, the saw tooth  10  may remain symmetric about the transverse plane  41  as well as both the aforementioned two perpendicular planes. Alternatively, the tooth may be tapered relative to the central axis  42 , i.e. there may be a taper of all or some of the side faces  30  and  32  from one cutting face  26  to the other cutting face  28  or vice versa. Further, the side faces  30  and  32  may taper inwardly in both directions towards the central plane  41 , such that the side surfaces of the tooth form a V-shaped configuration. 
     The saw tooth  10  is rotatable about the central axis  42  in order to selectively position one of the cutting edges  34  in an operable cutting position when the tooth  10  is mounted on the saw tooth holder  12 . Thus, once one cutting edge is (substantially) worn and/or damaged, or as required or desired, the tooth  10  can be rotated in increments of 90° (i.e. 90°, 180°, or 270° relative to a starting point) about the central axis  42  in order to position any one of the other three cutting edges  34  of the respective cutting face in the operable cutting position. In the embodiment depicted, this would entail loosening the bolt  13  sufficiently to permit the tooth  10  to be substantially removed from engagement therewith, such that it can be rotated as described. However, it remains possible that the tooth can be rotated in place on the holder  12 , once the bolt, fastening element or other retaining means is sufficiently loosened to permit rotation of the tooth in place on the holder (i.e. without having to completely disengage the tooth from contact with the holder). This however requires that the tooth can be adequately re-fastened in place on the holder in a secure and well supported configuration for cutting operation. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , those cutting edges  34  disposed furthest away from the saw tooth holder  12 , and therefore from the center of the saw disk to which the holder may be mounted, are those which are located in an operable cutting position. Generally, one of these two outside cutting edges performs the majority of the cutting action, and thus it is this one cutting edge which is said to be in the operative cutting position. 
     The four major side faces  30  may include a first pair of faces which are parallel to each other, spacing apart a second pair of faces which are parallel to each other, all of which are parallel to the central longitudinal axis  42  of the tooth. In at least one embodiment, such as the saw tooth  10  in  FIG. 3 , the first and second pairs are parallel to each other, and thus each side face of the first pair of faces meets the side faces of the second pair of faces at substantially a right angle. However, in an alternate embodiment, the saw tooth  110 , as depicted in  FIG. 4   b , may be provided with a slightly skewed offset, such that a first pair  17  of side faces  30  and a second pair  19  of side faces  30  are not parallel to each other, and thus each side face does not meet the next adjacent side face at right angles. (Regardless, these side faces remain parallel to the central axis  42  of the tooth.) In other words, the saw tooth  110  of  FIG. 4   b  defines a transverse cross-sectional shape which is a rhombus-like (with or without chamfered corners), rather than substantial square as per the saw tooth  10 . The saw tooth  110 , said to be “offset”, thus has one of the two pairs of side faces (for example the pair of faces  19  in  FIG. 4   b ) which is angled relatively to a plane  21  (i.e. faces  19  are not parallel with plane  21 ) which plane  21  is normal to the other of the two pairs of faces (i.e. the pair of faces  17 ), while remaining parallel to the central axis  42  (extending into the page in  FIG. 4   b ). Thus, the relative angle between each adjacent side face  30  is one of 90°±α, where α is an angle greater than about 0 and less than or equal to about 5 degrees, for example 89.1°/90.9° (where α is 0.1), 88°/92° (where α is 2°) or 85°/95° (where α is 5°). In accordance with a further embodiment, α is between about greater than 0 and less than or equal to 15 degrees. In accordance with yet a further embodiment, α is between about greater than 0 and less than or equal to 25 degrees. The saw tooth on each next adjacent holder about the periphery of the saw disk  15  of the cutting machine may thus be alternately or randomly angled about opposite sides of a plane within which the disk lies, such that the cutting edges are staggered. A tooth in a first holder may be positioned such that the offset angle extends the cutting edge toward one side of the disk, and a tooth in the next adjacent holder about the periphery of the disk may be positioned such that the offset angle extends its cutting edge towards the other side of the disk, and so on This may hereby create a staggered cross-cut effect on the work piece being cut. Alternatively, however, the cutting edges may not be staggered or alternated, and in a further embodiment, there may be no pattern to the staggering of the tooth  10 . 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 3 and 4   a , the raking edges  37  of the saw tooth  10  are substantially rectilinear between, at one end, the point at which adjacent raking edges  37  intersect (for example, at the midpoint of each cutting face perimeter edge), and at an opposite end, the intersection point between the raking edges  37  and each adjacent cutting edge  34 . The first and second cutting faces  26 , 28  are recessed, creating recessed center portions thereof generally defining inner surfaces  36  thereon, and outwardly extending triangular prisms  44  at each corner of the tooth&#39;s cutting faces. 
     In use, once all four cutting edges  34  on a first one of the first and second cutting faces  26 , 28  have been dulled and/or damaged, or as required or desired, the tooth can subsequently be unfastened completely from interconnection with the tooth holder  12  and reversed (such as by being rotated 180 degrees about reversing axis  29  in  FIG. 2 , or from front to back) in order to dispose the other one of the cutting faces  26 , 28  in an outward or exposed position relative to the tooth holder  12 , thereby providing four new cutting edges  34  for use. Therefore, regardless of which of the two opposed first and second cutting faces  26 , 28  is used, the tooth is releasably fastenable to the tooth holder  12  in substantially the same location thereon. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the saw tooth  10  is mounted on the holder  12  within an opening defined therein between substantially perpendicular surfaces  24  and  25  which create a seat within the body of the tooth holder within which the tooth  10  is received for secure fastening to the holder. While these seats  24 , 25  on the holder  12  are disposed in two perpendicular planes, these may each be respectively inclined relative to a radial and tangential axis of the circular saw disk  15 , which may in a particular embodiment correspond to the radial and tangential axis of the holder  12  when in use. This may thus create a slight forward kerf clearance for the cutting edges  34  of the tooth. This forward clearance attack angle is represented by angle θ in  FIG. 2 . This attack angle may be, in at least one embodiment, only several degrees (for example from about 0° to less than or equal to about 5° in one embodiment and about 2° in the embodiment depicted). Alternatively, this angle may be less than or equal to about 10°. In a further alternative, this angle may be less than or equal to about 25°. When the angle θ is made to be 0°, no attack angle (at least relative to the tangential axis of the saw disk  15 ) is provided. However, in either case (i.e. angle θ is equal to zero or is greater than zero) a kerf clearance may also be provided by forming the tooth and/or the holder with a suitable angle on at least one face thereof (such as the radially outermost faces in  FIG. 2  for example), thus effectively creating a clearance attack angle without having to actually angle the tooth (i.e. the central axis  42  thereof) relative to the holder and/or the tangential axis of the saw disk. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the adapter  14  which, in one embodiment of the present invention, may be used in order to mount the saw tooth  10  to the saw tooth holder  12 , is intermediately disposed therebetween when the saw tooth is fastened in place on the holder  12  as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The adapter  14  may include a substantially planar rear face  46  which may abut the rear planar surface  24  of the tooth holder  12  when the adapter is mounted thereon, and has a front face  48  which may be configured to substantially correspond to one or both of the cutting faces  26  and  28  of the saw tooth  10  such that the protruding front face  48  of the adapter  14  can mate within the generally recessed inner surfaces  36  of the cutting faces  26 , 28  of the saw tooth for mating abutment therewith. Thus, when the adapter  14  and saw tooth  10  are mated together, at least two perpendicularly oriented flat faces may be provided on the subassembly of the tooth-and-adapter (namely, one of the side faces  30  and the planar rear face  46  of the adapter  14 ) for respective abutment against the perpendicular surfaces  25  and  24  defining the saw tooth receiving opening in the holder  12 . When so positioned, the bolt  13  or alternate fastening means can then be used to releasably secure the adapter  14  and the saw tooth  10  to the holder  12 . In order to permit this, a central aperture  50  extends through the adapter  14 , in alignment with the aperture  38  defined in the saw tooth  10  and the aperture extending through the holder  12 . Alternatively, as depicted in  FIG. 22  for example, the tooth-and-adapter subassembly may be releasably affixed together, independently of the bolt  13 , and subsequent to said attachment, the tooth-and-adapter subassembly may then be releasably affixed (i.e. attached) to the holder  12 . In yet a further alternative, the adapter  14  may first be releasably affixed to the holder  12 , following which the saw tooth  10  may be releasably affixed to the holder-adapter subassembly. Referring now to the saw tooth assembly  211  depicted in  FIGS. 6 to 9 , the saw tooth assembly  211  comprises a saw tooth holder  12 , as described above with reference to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 to 2 , to which is releasably mountable a saw tooth  210 , either with or without an associated adapter  214 . As best seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the saw tooth  210  differs from the saw tooth  10  previously described at least in the shape and configuration of the cutting faces and their associated raking edges, however it remains similar to the saw tooth  10  in many other aspects. For example, the saw tooth  210  includes opposed first and second cutting faces  226  and  228 , each of which includes at least more than two cutting edges  234  thereon. In the embodiment depicted, four cutting edges  234  are located on each of the first and second cutting faces  226  and  228 . The cutting faces  226 , 228  are spaced apart by side faces which all extend therebetween and may be substantially parallel to a central axis  242  of the tooth, the side faces include four major side faces  230  and may further include four intermediate side faces  232  which are disposed between adjacent major side faces  230 . In accordance with an alternative embodiment, saw tooth  210 , as well as saw tooth  10  may not have major side faces  230  which are parallel to central axis. In particular, major side faces  230  may not be flat but may include a variety of configurations. In particular, one or more of said major side faces may comprise a curve, i.e. for example it may be concave or convex. Naturally, the corresponding portion of holder  12  may be shaped to allow for a fit therewith. Alternatively, major side faces  230  may include a gradually inclined section, for example to the halfway point of the major side face  230 , followed by another inclined portion so as to create a v-shaped side, either projecting outwardly or internally. Further, as described above with respect to saw tooth  10 , intermediate side faces  232  may be omitted. The intermediate side faces  232  are angled relative to each of the two immediately adjacent side faces  230 , and may be disposed on one or more, i.e. on each of the four corners defined by the generally square saw tooth  210 . Alternatively, one or more of the intermediate side faces  232  may be curved. A transversely extending plane  241  defined through the center of the saw tooth  210  body between the spaced apart cutting faces  226 , 228  thus defines a transverse cross-sectional area which is generally square in shape (at least the outer perimeter thereof). The transversely extending plane  241  is substantially normal to the central axis  242  of the saw tooth. The central axis  242  of the tooth may be substantially coaxial with a central longitudinal axis of the aperture  238  which extends through the saw tooth  210  between the first cutting face  226  and the second cutting face  228 . 
     As per the saw tooth  10  described above, when rotated about the central axis  242  in increments of about 90 or 180 degrees, the saw tooth  210  may remain symmetric about the transverse plane  241 , as well as to two other planes of symmetry which are both perpendicular to the transverse plane  241  and which intersect along the central axis  242 . The saw tooth  210  is thus similarly rotatable about the central axis  242  in order to selectively position one or two of the four cutting edges  234  per each cutting face  226 , 228  in an operable cutting position when the tooth  210  is mounted on the saw tooth holder  12 . Once the four cutting edges on one of the cutting faces have been worn or damaged, or as required or desired, the tooth  210  can then similarly be reversed such that the opposite cutting face is exposed (i.e. away from the tooth holder  12 ) in order to permit use of the other four cutting edges  234 . 
     The first cutting face  226  (it is to be understood that the opposed second cutting face  228  may be identical to the first cutting face  226 , and thus only one will be described in detail herein) includes a substantially square perimeter  235  therearound which includes the cutting edges  234  at each (equally) spaced apart corner thereof and raking edges  237  extending between each of the rectilinear cutting edges  234 . The raking edges  237  of the saw tooth  210  are curved and more particularly define a continuous curve having a substantially constant radius. Alternatively, the curve may not be constant in radius, or may comprise two or more substantially constant radii. In a further alternative, the raking edges may comprise two straight portions spaced apart by a curved section, for example disposed substantially in the middle of the raking edge. The four cutting edges  234  are defined at the intersection of a substantially frustoconical inner surface  236  of the cutting face  226  and the four intermediate side faces  232 . The cutting face  226  may further include, in addition to the frustoconical inner surface  236  which may extend about the full periphery of the cutting face  226  (bounded by the peripheral edge  235 ), an inner surface portion  243 , which may be a substantially flat annulus and may be parallel to plane  241 , radially disposed between the central aperture  238  and the surrounding frustoconical inner surface  236 . The inner surface portion  243  may alternately be inclined or may also be shaped to have a curve, i.e. for example a concave curve. In a further embodiment, inner surface portion  243  may be eliminated. 
     Each of the major side faces  230  defines a plane and has a perimeter thereabout in each such plane which forms a planar shape. This planar shape, for the cutting tooth  210 , defines a bi-concave shape, wherein top and bottom edges are rectilinear and parallel to each other while the other two edges (i.e. the raking edges  237 ) are curved inward towards each other. The bi-concave shape may be identical for each of the side faces  30 , which may all be of substantially similar dimensions, such that the saw tooth  210  defines a substantially square cross-sectional area taken through plane  241 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9 and 9A , the adapter  214  used, in one embodiment, to fasten the saw tooth  210  to the holder  12  includes a substantially planar rear face  246  which abuts the rear planar surface  24  of the tooth holder  12  when the adapter  214  is mounted thereon. The adapter  214  has a front face  248  which is configured to correspond to the cutting faces  226  and  228  of the saw tooth  210 , such that the protruding front face  248  of the adapter  214  can mate with the inner surfaces  236  and  243  of the cutting faces  226 , 228  of the saw tooth for mating abutment therewith. In accordance with a particular embodiment, the mating of the inner surfaces  236  and  243  of the cutting faces  226 , 228  with the front face  248  may result in a perfect match of said surfaces. Thus, when the adapter  214  and saw tooth  210  are mated together to form a subassembly which is fastenable to the holder  12 , at least two perpendicularly oriented flat faces are provided (namely, one of the side faces  230  of the saw tooth  210  and the planar rear face  246  of the adapter  214 ) for respective abutment against the perpendicular surfaces  25  and  24  defining the saw tooth receiving opening in the holder  12 . Accordingly, the adapter  214  permits the saw tooth  210  to be mounted flush against at least one planar surface  24  of the saw tooth holder  12 . However, as noted above with respect to the adapter  14  for the saw tooth  10 , such an adapter may be eliminated providing that the saw tooth holder  12  is so configured such as to be able to permit the saw tooth  210  having opposed cutting faces  226 , 228  to be securely mounted thereagainst. For example, the saw tooth holder may be configured, i.e. fabricated, with a surface which corresponds to, and mates with, the cutting faces of the saw tooth. Alternatively, a piece substantially similar to adapter  14  may be permanently fitted, i.e. for example through welding or other means, onto surface  24  and/or  25 . 
     Referring now to the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIGS. 10-11 , an alternately shaped saw tooth  310  is shown. The saw tooth  310  includes opposed first and second cutting faces  326  and  328  which are spaced apart by four lateral side faces  330  that extend axially between the two cutting faces. Adjacent side faces  330  meet along rounded (axially-extending) edges  332  located at each corner of the substantially square saw tooth  310  between each of the planar side faces  330 . The cutting edges  334  of the saw tooth  310  are defined along the edges formed at the intersection of the side faces  330  (including the rounded corner edges  332 ) and the outermost inner surface  336  which extends around the periphery of the cutting faces  326 , 328 . The cutting edges  334  may be defined either only at the corners of the cutting face (i.e. at the intersection of the corner edges  332  and the inner surface  336 ) and/or alternately along the length of long edge  337  of the cutting face (i.e. at the intersection of the side faces  330  and the inner surface  336 ). The long edges  337 , which are substantially rectilinear extending in a straight line between adjacent corners of the saw tooth, can thus act either as principle cutting edges or as raking edges. 
     Each of the side faces  330  defines a plane which is substantially perpendicular to that of the next adjacent side face  330 , and which has a perimeter thereabout in each such plane that forms a planar shape. However, as described below, the planes of each adjacent side face  330  may alternately not perpendicular to each other, wherein the tooth is provided with a skewed offset such as tooth  110  of  FIG. 4   b . The planar shape defined in each plane of the side faces  330 , for the cutting tooth  310 , defines a square which may be identical for each of the side faces  30 . All of the side faces  330  have substantially similar dimensions, such that the saw tooth  310  defines four substantially square side faces  330  about the lateral surface thereof. Thus, when the tooth  310  is rotated about its central axis  342  in increments of about 90 or 180 degrees, one or more of the cutting edges  334  is disposed in an operative cutting position. The saw tooth  310  may also have a substantially square cross-sectional area taken through a central plane (as per planes  41  and  2410  disposed between the opposed cutting surfaces  326  and  328  and being perpendicular to the central tooth axis  342 . The saw tooth  310  may thus form a cube, however with recesses formed therein in the first and second cutting faces  326  and  328 . Each of the two cutting faces may define a substantially square perimeter edge  335  therearound, which comprises at least the four cutting edges  334  and the four raking edges  337  disposed therebetween. The perimeter edge  335  bounds the inner surfaces of the cutting faces  326 , 328 . These inner surfaces include four inwardly angled, radially-outermost inner surfaces  336  which extend about the periphery of each cutting face, as well as a flat inner surface portion  343  disposed between the central aperture  338  (extending through the saw tooth  310  between the opposed first and second cutting faces  326  and  328 ) and the four surrounding surfaces  336 . The flat inner surface portion  343  may be substantially square-shaped. 
     As seen in  FIG. 11 , an adapter  314  may also be provided for use with the saw tooth  310 . The adapter  314  corresponds to the shape and configuration of the saw tooth  310 , having a front face  348  which is configured to correspond to the cutting faces  326  and  328  of the saw tooth  310 , such that the protruding front face  348  of the adapter  314  can mate within the inner surfaces  336  and  343  of the cutting faces  326 , 328  of the saw tooth for mating abutment thereagainst. As per the previously described adapters, the adapter  314  includes a substantially planar rear face  346  which abuts against the rear planar surface  24  of the tooth holder  12  when the adapter  314  is mounted thereon. Accordingly, when the adapter  314  and saw tooth  310  are mated together to form a subassembly which is fastenable to the holder  12 , at least two perpendicularly oriented flat faces are provided (namely, one of the side faces  330  of the saw tooth  310  and the planar rear face  346  of the adapter  314 ) for respective abutment against the perpendicular surfaces  25  and  24  defining the saw tooth receiving opening in the holder  12 . The adapter  314  therefore permits the saw tooth  310  to be mounted flush against at least one planar surface  24  of the saw tooth holder  12 . However, as noted above, such an adapter may be eliminated providing that the saw tooth holder  12  is so configured such as to be able to permit the saw tooth  310  having opposed cutting faces  326 , 328  to be securely mounted thereagainst. As may be understood, however, the use of an adapter may allow a common saw tooth holder (such as the holder  12  of  FIGS. 1-2  and  6  for example) to be used for selectively mounting thereto any one or combination of several different tooth types, embodiments or variants, such as any one of the saw teeth  10 ,  110 ,  210  or  310  for example. 
     As described above relative to the tooth  110  as depicted in  FIG. 4   b , the saw teeth  210  and  310  may similarly be provided with a slightly skewed offset, such that a first pair of the side faces  230 / 330  and a second pair of the side faces  230 / 330  are not parallel to each other, and thus such that each side face does not meet the next adjacent side face at right angles. In other words, the saw tooth  210  and the saw tooth  310  may, in alternate embodiments not depicted, define a transverse cross-sectional shape which is more rhombus-like (with or without chamfered corners), rather than substantial square as per teeth depicted. The saw teeth  210  and  310  can thus be skewed as per the tooth  110 , i.e. said to be “offset”, such that one of the two pairs of side faces is angled relatively to a plane which is normal to the other of the two pairs while remaining parallel to the central axis of the tooth. Thus, a non-90 degree relative angle between each adjacent side face  230 / 330  is provided. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown, in which the saw tooth  410  is similar to those previously described, however differs in the shape and configuration of the cutting faces/edges and their associated raking edges. Particularly, the reversible saw tooth  410  includes opposed first and second cutting faces  426  and  428 , each of which includes at least more than two cutting edges  434  thereon. In fact, in the embodiment depicted, each cutting face includes four cutting tips  434 , which are in fact cutting tips in the present embodiment. The four cutting tips  434  are located at four opposed corners of each cutting face  426 , 428 , which are coincident with the side edges  433  that extend between the first and second cutting faces  426 , 428  at each remote corner of the square-sections body of the saw tooth  410 . 
     The cutting faces  426 , 428  are spaced apart by side faces  430  which all extend therebetween and may be substantially parallel to a central axis  442  of the tooth. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, saw tooth  410  may not have side faces  430  which are parallel to central axis  442 . The side faces  430  extend in a fore-aft direction of the tooth between the first and second cutting faces  426 ,  428  and in a direction substantially normal thereto between the side edges  433 . The side faces  430  each thus define a plane which may be perpendicular to the plane of the next adjacent side face  430 , and which has a perimeter thereabout in each such plane which forms a planar shape. This planar shape, for the cutting tooth  410  depicted in  FIGS. 12 and 12A , defines an hourglass-like shape having a flat truncated top and bottom (i.e. the side edges  433 ), and opposed smoothly curved sides (i.e. the raking edges  437 ). This shape is clearly seen in  FIG. 12A . In the depicted embodiment, the raking edges  437  (of which there are four on each of the first and second cutting faces  426 ,  428 ) have a substantially constant radius about their full length between the cutting tips  434 . 
     Regardless of the particular planar shape so formed by the sides  430 , it may be identical for each of the side faces  430 . Thus, each of the side faces  430  may be of similar dimensions, such that the saw tooth  410  may define a substantially square cross-sectional area taken through the plane  441  transversally extending through the tooth  410  between the spaced apart first and second cutting faces  426 ,  428 . Alternately, of course, and as described above, each of the major side faces  430  may not be flat but may include a variety of configurations. In particular, one or more of said major side faces may comprise a curve, i.e. for example it may be concave or convex. Naturally, the corresponding portion of holder corresponding to the tooth  410  for use therewith may be shaped to allow for a fit therewith. Alternatively still, major side faces  430  may include a gradually inclined section, for example to the halfway point of the major side face  430 , followed by another inclined portion so as to create a v-shaped side, either projecting outwardly or internally. The transversely extending plane  441  defined through the center of the saw tooth  410  body between the spaced apart cutting faces  426 , 428  thus defines a transverse cross-sectional area which is generally square in shape (at least the outer perimeter thereof). The transversely extending plane  441  is substantially normal to the central axis  442  of the saw tooth. The central axis  442  of the tooth may be substantially coaxial with a central longitudinal axis of the aperture  438  which extends through the saw tooth  410  between the first cutting face  426  and the second cutting face  428 . 
     As per the saw teeth described above, when rotated about the central axis  442  in increments of about 90 or 180 degrees, the saw tooth  410  may remain symmetric about the transverse plane  441 , as well as to two other planes of symmetry which are both perpendicular to the transverse plane  441  and which intersect along the central axis  442 . The saw tooth  410  is thus similarly rotatable about the central axis  442  in order to selectively position one or two of the four cutting edges (tips)  434  of each cutting face  426 , 428  in an operable cutting position when the tooth  410  is mounted on the saw tooth holder. Once the four cutting edges on one of the cutting faces have been worn or damaged, or as required or desired, the tooth  410  can then similarly be reversed such that the opposite cutting face is exposed (i.e. away from the tooth holder  12 ) in order to permit use of the other four cutting edges  434 . 
     The first cutting face  426  (it is to be understood that the opposed second cutting face  428  may be identical to the first cutting face  426 , and thus only one will be described in detail herein) includes a substantially square perimeter therearound when viewed from the front of the cutting face, which includes the cutting edges  434  at each equally spaced apart corner thereof and raking edges  437  extending therebetween. As noted above, the raking edges  437  of the saw tooth  410  are curved and more particularly define a continuous curve having a substantially constant radius extending between each of the cutting tips  434 . Alternatively, the curve may not be constant in radius, or may comprise a compound curve having two or more curves, whether of substantially constant radii or not. The four cutting tips  434  are defined at the intersection of a substantially frustoconical, curved inner surface  436  of the cutting face  426  and two of the curved raking edges  437  at the periphery of the cutting face. The cutting face  426  may further include, in addition to the frustoconical inner surface  436  which may extend about the full periphery of the cutting face  426  (bounded by the peripheral edge thereof), an inner surface portion  443 , which may be a substantially flat annulus having a diameter  440 . The annular and flat inner surface  443  of the cutting face may be parallel to transversal plane  441  and is radially disposed between the central bore or aperture  438  and the surrounding frustoconical inner surface  436 . The inner surface portion may alternately be inclined or may also be shaped to have a curve, i.e. for example a concave curve, rather than being flat and thus parallel to the plane  441 . In a further embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 16 , the inner surface portion  243  may be eliminated completely, in which case the frustoconical inner surface  436  extends inwardly from the outer periphery of the cutting face (defined by the four raking edges  437 ) all the way to the central bore/aperture  438 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 12A , the saw tooth  410  may also be formed for two portions, in this case two identical halves, which abut together to form the full saw tooth  410 . It is to be understood that the tooth  410 , as well as all of the saw teeth described above, can be so formed to two interlocking portions. In the embodiment of  FIG. 12A , the saw tooth  410  is split along the transverse plane  441  such as to divide the whole tooth into two equal halves which each have inner surfaces  449  that abut each other at this midpoint transverse plane. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , a cross-section of a saw tooth  510  in accordance with another alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the opposed first and second cutting faces  526  and  528  of the tooth differ from each other (i.e. are not identical as per the opposed cutting faces of the other saw teeth described above). It is to be understood that all of the above-mentioned teeth  10 ,  210 ,  310 ,  410  can similarly include first and second cutting faces thereof which differ, whether slightly or more significantly, from each other. The saw tooth  510  of  FIG. 13  includes a first cutting face  526  which includes an annular inner surface portion  543 , which may be substantially parallel to a central transversal plane extending through the body of the tooth, and a substantially flat (but inclined relative to the inner surface portion  543 ) frustoconical outer surface  536  disposed radially outward therefrom. The opposed second cutting face  528 , in contrast, includes a similar annular inner surface portion  543  which is substantially parallel to the same surface  543  on the first cutting face  526 . The radially outer surface of the second cutting face  528 , however, comprises a curved frustoconical surface  537 . Both the curved frustoconical surface  537  of the second cutting face  528  and the flat (but inclined) frustoconical surface  536  of the first cutting face  526  extend about the full periphery of the respective cutting face. 
       FIG. 14  shows a saw tooth  610  in accordance with another possible alternate construction, in which rather than being formed of a single block of metal from which the various faces, edges, surfaces, etc. are formed, the cutting faces are created by adding outwardly extending prisms  644  (whether triangular, or otherwise) onto a core body  616  of the saw tooth. Each prism  644  includes a cutting edge (or tip)  634  thereon, as well as at least one raking edge  637 . Although only a single such prism  644  is depicted in  FIG. 14 , four of these may be fastened to the main core body  616  on each of the two opposed surfaces of the body which will become the opposed first and second cutting faces. 
       FIG. 15  depicts a saw tooth  710  in accordance with another alternate embodiment, which has opposed cutting faces that each include a first annular inner surface  743  which may be either flat (i.e. substantially devoid of curvature) or curved (either concavely or convexly), and which surrounds the central aperture or bore  738  defined in the tooth  710 . A second inner surface  746  is disposed radially outwardly from the first inner surface  743 , and may be substantially frustoconical and extend about the full perimeter of the annulus defined by the first inner surface  743 . The saw tooth  710  further includes outwardly projecting cutting prisms  744 , but which are disposed along the side edges  735  defining the perimeter of the square tooth body within which the first and second inner surfaces  743 ,  746  are defined on each of the opposed cutting faces. Each of these substantially triangular protruding prisms  744  includes a cutting edge or cutting tip  734  and at least one (but generally two) raking edges  737 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , two alternate saw tooth holders  112  and  212  are shown, which are similar to the saw tooth holder  12  described above, however include adaptor portions  114  and  214 , respectively, directly integrated therewith on the seat surfaces  124  and  224 . In other words, the shape and configuration of the adapter (particularly that of the outer face thereof) is integrally formed into the surface  124 , 224  of the saw tooth holders  112 , 212 . Thus, the saw tooth used in conjunction with the tooth holders  112  and  212  is mounted directly onto the adaptor portions  114  and  214  thereof, using a fastener as required, within the need for a separate adaptor  14 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 19 , a saw tooth assembly  811  in accordance with another alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown, and includes generally a saw tooth holder  812  to which a pair of saw teeth  810  are fastened using a bolt  813 . The adapter portion  814  is integrated directly into the body of the saw tooth holder  812  and is configured to correspond to the shape and configuration of the cutting faces of the saw teeth  810  such that these may be fastened securely to the body of the saw tooth holder. In this embodiment, two saw teeth  810  are provided and either integrally formed together or merely being distinct individual saw teeth which are abutted back to back when fastened in place on the saw tooth holder. Each of the saw teeth  810  comprises a substantially C-shaped cross-sectional shape which extends horizontally to define a curved half pipe-shaped tooth. A central bore  838  is defined through each of the saw teeth  810  through which the bolt  813  extends for removably fastening the saw teeth to the holder. An intermediate mounting member  840  may also be provided between each of the abutted rear surfaces  815  of the curved saw teeth  810  such as to more securely interlock the abutted curved surfaces together when fastened in place on the holder. As per the replaceable saw teeth described above, each saw tooth  810  may be rotated (for example, by 180° about the axis of the bolt) such as to expose at least another cutting edge thereof in the operative cutting position. When all cutting edges on the forward cutting face saw tooth  810  are dulled and/or the when desired or required, the forward saw tooth may either be removed and replaced or both saw teeth  810  mounted to the holder may be disengaged therefrom by loosening the attachment bolt  813  and the pair of saw teeth  810  are reversed as described above such as to switch positions of their respective cutting faces in order to place a new cutting face of the other saw tooth in the operative cutting position. 
       FIG. 20  depicts a saw tooth in accordance with another alternate embodiment of the present invention. Particularly, saw tooth  910  is very similar to the saw tooth  210  as described above and depicted in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , however the configuration of the opposed cutting faces  926  and  928  are slightly different. In particular, referring to the visible cutting face  926  in  FIG. 20 , each cutting face includes a curved outer surface portion  936  which extends about the full periphery of the cutting face within the outer cutting and raking edges and extends radially inward all the way to the central bore  938  defined through the center of the cutting tooth  910 . Accordingly, no additional or distinct inner surface portion exists as per some of the other saw teeth described above. As best seen in  FIG. 20A , this curved outer surface portion  936  of the cutting faces  926  and  928  defines a non-constant radius of curvature such that the outermost (i.e. furthest away from the central bore  938 ) edges of the surface  936  are more steep and thus define a smaller radius of curvature and as the surface  936  extends towards the central bore  938 , this radius of curvature increases such that the curve begins to flatten out (however, never fully defines a completely flat surface) before increasing in slope again upwards towards the central bore  938 . Accordingly, the effect is that the entrance to the central bore  938  is slightly raised relative to the lowest-most point of the curved outer surfaces  936  of each cutting face. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 21 , the saw tooth assembly  1011  includes a saw tooth holder  1012  to which a saw tooth  1010  is mounted via an intermediate adapter  1014 . In this embodiment, the adapter portion  1014  is either permanently fastened or integrally formed with the saw tooth holder  1012 , and the saw tooth  1010  is removably fastened to the holder  1014  via a fastening member  1013  which protrudes from each of the opposed cutting faces  1026  and  1028  of the saw tooth  1010 . The fasteners  1013  protruding from each of the opposed cutting faces can either be opposite ends of a common threaded fastener extending through a central bore of the saw tooth, or alternatively can be individual threaded fasteners which protrude outwardly from each of the cutting faces and to which each is permanently engaged, whether by welding, etcetera. Thus, in order to mount the reversible saw tooth  1010  to the holder  1012 , it is rotated such as to thread the fastener  1013  into the mating threaded bore  1038  defined within the adapter portion  1014 . Accordingly, the adapter portion  1014  includes a rounded or curved outer surface such as to be able to permit the rotation of the saw tooth until it is fully abutted thereagainst. Thus, in this embodiment further clearance is provided between the bottom of the saw tooth lower face  1032  and the opposed surface  1025  defined on the holder in the opening or seat portion within which the tooth is received. However, as described with respect to the embodiment of the saw tooth assembly  11  shown in  FIG. 2 , the saw tooth  1010  is preferably provided with an outwardly inclined angle of attack such as to permit clearance on the radially outermost face  1032  of the saw tooth for the kerf. Thus, the distance D 2  defined between the holder surface  1025  and the forward edge of the saw tooth  1010  is greater than the distance D 1  defined between this surface  1025  and an innermost edge of the saw tooth and the holder  1014  to which it is abutted, thereby providing a slight outward inclined angle to the saw tooth such as to create kerf clearance on the outer surface of the saw tooth. 
       FIG. 22  depicts an embodiment similar to that of  FIG. 21 , however the adapter  1114  is removably fastened to the holder  1112 , such as by a rearwardly mounted bolt  1113  which extends through the central body of the holder and into a mating threaded opening  1117  defined in the adapter. The saw tooth  1010  mounted to the adapter  1114  is otherwise similar to that previously described with respect to  FIG. 21 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 23 , a saw tooth assembly  1211  is shown, which includes a saw tooth  1210  which is mounted directly to a corresponding saw tooth holder  1212  using a suitable fastening means, such as the rearwardly mounted bolt  1213  which extends through the body of the holder and through a central bore defined in the saw tooth in order to fasten same to the holder. In this embodiment, the holder is provided with seating faces  1224  which are shaped and configured such as to receive at least a portion of the cutting face of the saw tooth abutted directly thereagainst when the saw tooth  1210  is mounted to the holder. Thus, these seating faces  1224  are curved and provide a cut-out for receiving the outermost inner surface portions of the cutting face as well as the cutting and raking edges thereagainst. 
       FIG. 24  depicts the saw tooth holder  1212  to which the saw tooth  1210  is fastened, the holder  1212  includes a smaller adapter portion  1214  at the lower edge of seating face  1224  which is used to mate with the correspondingly opposed surfaces of the saw tooth&#39;s cutting face, such that the saw tooth  1210  can be mounted directly to the holder in a secure manner. As noted above, cut-outs  1227  at the outer mating edges of the seating surfaces  1224  and  1225  are provided such that the inner cutting tips or edges of the saw tooth do not interfere with the holder during mounting of the cutting tooth or during use of the entire saw tooth assembly. 
       FIG. 25  depicts the saw tooth assembly  11  as previously described and depicted in  FIGS. 2-5 . However, the saw tooth  1310  mounted thereto is slightly different from the saw tooth  10  as described above, in that the saw tooth  1310  is formed of two halves which abut together back to back before being fastened to the saw tooth holder  12  via the corresponding adapter  14 . As described above with respect to the saw tooth  410  shown in  FIG. 12A , the saw tooth  1310  is formed of two identical halves which interlock and/or abut together to form the full saw tooth. Thus, either the whole saw tooth or only one half thereof may be rotated as desired such as to expose a different cutting edge in a principle operative cutting position, and as described above, the entire saw tooth may be detachable from the holder and reversed such as to expose the second cutting face having the four cutting edges thereon. Although the saw tooth  1310  is preferably split into two equal halves in a transversal plane approximately midway between the first and second cutting faces of the saw tooth, it is to be understood that the saw tooth could alternately be split into two or more portions of differing sizes provided that they correspond to one another and abut and/or interlock such as to create a whole saw tooth having cutting faces on at least opposed first and second faces thereof. 
       FIG. 26  depicts an alternate saw tooth assembly  1311  which includes a saw tooth holder  1312  to which are removably fastened a plurality of saw teeth  1310  which interlock to form a stacked set of saw teeth which can all be mounted to the saw tooth holder via a suitable fastener such as a bolt  1313 . Each of the saw teeth  1310  may in fact only comprise a single cutting face  1326  which includes at least more than two cutting edges thereon and, in a more preferable embodiment, four cutting edges  1334  thereon at each of the four outer corners of the generally square cutting tooth  1310 . The cutting faces  1326  are as described above with respect to the saw tooth  10 , however rather than having an opposed and mirror image cutting face on the tooth, the rear tooth face  1328  defined on the other side of the saw tooth from the forward cutting face  1326  is in fact shaped and configured such as to be able to mate and abut against the next opposed cutting face  1326  of the next saw tooth  1310 . Thus, this creates a stacked set of saw teeth, each of which can be rotated such as to expose a different one of the cutting edges thereon in an operative cutting position. When the outermost saw tooth  1310  is dulled, damaged, or it is otherwise desired to replace same, the foremost saw tooth can simply be removed (i.e. completely disconnected from the remainder of the stacked saw teeth), thus exposing the subsequent unused saw tooth  1310  at the top of the stack. This removed tooth is then replaced at the rear of the stack before the indexed stack of teeth is then re-placed on the holder and re-fastened thereto. Referring now to  FIG. 27 , a portion of a saw disk  415  is shown which includes a plurality of saw tooth holders  412  integrally formed directly thereon (rather than being separate elements fastened thereto such as for the saw tooth holder  12  described above). To each of the integral saw tooth holders  412  is similarly mounted a saw tooth  10 , either with or without an intermediate adapter  14 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 28 , an alternate saw tooth holder  512  is depicted which includes an adapter portion  514  integrated therewith on the generally radially extending seat surface  524  against which the saw tooth is fastened via a suitable fastener such as bolt  13 . The adapter portion  514  integrated with the holder  512  generally defines a substantially square shape having a central square recess  548  defined therein within which a portion of the saw tooth is received when mounted to the saw tooth holder. A central threaded bore extends through the body of the saw tooth holder as per the previously described holders above, such that the bolt  13  may fasten the reversible saw tooth to the saw tooth holder  512 . Within the recess  548  of the adapter portion  514  is defined an inner substantially flat surface  549  against which a mating surface of the saw tooth is abutted as shown in  FIG. 29 . Therefore, the saw tooth  1410  employed with the saw tooth holder  512  includes a correspondingly shaped and configured central shank portion  1443  which is adapted for mating within the square recess  548  of the adapter portion  514  when the saw tooth is fastened to the holder. Therefore, as both the shank portion  1443  and the mating recess  548  within which it is received are both, at least in this embodiment, provided with a substantially square configuration, these two portions interlock such as to help prevent unwanted rotation of the saw tooth  1410 . The adapter portion  514  protrudes outwardly from the seat surface  524  such as to create inner and outer clearance gaps  551  within which are received the cutting edges of the saw tooth such as to prevent unwanted contact between the saw tooth edges and/or cutting face and the tooth holder during operation of the entire assembly. As seen in  FIG. 29 , the saw tooth  1410  is similar to the saw tooth  410  as described above, however with the addition of the protruding central shank portion  1443  on both of the opposed cutting faces  1426  and  1428 . Although the central shank portion  1443  as depicted is substantially square for receipt into the correspondingly shaped recess  548  in the associated adapter  514  of the saw tooth holder  512 , it is to be understood that alternate configurations may be provided as long as the mating shank and recess and/or opening in the adapter or holder are complimentary and similarly configured such that they can securely mate one within the other. Although in this embodiment the protruding shank is provided on the saw tooth and is received within the recess or opening within the holder, the converse may also of course be provided wherein the protruding shank is disposed on the adapter and/or holder and which is received within a correspondingly sized and shaped opening in the cutting face of the saw tooth about the central bore thereof. 
       FIG. 30  depicts a saw tooth holder  612  which is a slight variant of the holder  512  depicted in  FIGS. 28 to 29 . The saw tooth holder  612  similarly receives a saw tooth  1410  for fastening thereto, however the seating surfaces  624  are configured slightly differently such that the entire cutting face is abutted against and within the saw tooth holder  612  when fastened thereto. Accordingly, greater contact between the inner cutting face approximate the holder and the seating surfaces  624  exists. Thus, no separate adapter portion is provided as the seating surfaces of the holder  612  are shaped and configured such as to snugly receive the saw tooth therein. 
       FIGS. 31 and 32  depict another alternate embodiment of the present invention, particularly comprising a saw tooth assembly  1511  which includes a saw tooth  1510  and its associated saw tooth holder  1512 . Although not shown, a suitable fastener such as a bolt previously described may be used to removably fasten the saw tooth  1510  to its holder  1512  via a suitable adapter  1514 . The saw tooth  1510  is reversible includes opposed first and second cutting faces  1526  and  1528  respectively. In contrast to the majority of the above-described saw teeth however, the saw tooth  1510  comprises a substantially cylindrical configuration with the first and second cutting faces disposed at either end thereof. Each of the first and second cutting faces  1526 ,  1528  thus defines a single, substantially circular, and continuous cutting edge  1534  which extends about the full periphery of each of the cutting faces. The saw tooth  1510  remains reversible, in that when all or a portion of the single continuous cutting edge  1534  on the exposed cutting face is worn, damaged or wished to be replaced, the entire saw tooth  1510  may be disengaged from the holder  1512  and inverted such that the other of the first and second cutting faces (previously inwardly facing towards the holder) is now exposed and positioned in an outer operable cutting position when the saw tooth is replaced back on the holder. Further, much as the above-described saw teeth can be rotated up to four times such as to expose a different one of the four cutting edges in an operative cutting position, the saw tooth  1510 , given its circular configuration, can be rotated almost an infinite number of times about its central axis extending through the through or central bore  1538  thereof such as to expose a different portion of the continuous circular cutting edge  1534  in a position relative to the holder which performs the majority of the cutting action. Thus, as each arcuate portion of the cutting edge  1534  is worn, the tooth may be slightly rotated such as to expose the next circumferentially adjacent arcuate portion of the same cutting edge  1534  in the operable or most effective cutting location relative to the holder. This procedure can thus be repeated until such time as the cutting edge  1534  has been worn about its full circumference, at which point the whole saw tooth  1510  can then be inverted as described previously such as to dispose the circular cutting edge on the other cutting face for use. Each of the first and second cutting faces  1528  and  1526  includes a substantially curved inner surface  1536  which extends radially inward from the outer cutting edge  1534  towards the central bore  1538 . A central annular substantially flat portion  1543  of the inner surfaces of the cutting face may also be provided about the central bore  1538 . 
     All of above-described tooth holders, whether integrated into the saw disk or mounted thereon, may be configured such that they accept (i.e. are able to have removably mounted thereto) either a reversible or double-sided saw tooth as described herein or a standard (i.e. single-sided) saw tooth having only a single cutting face thereon for fastening thereto. Accordingly, the seating surfaces of the saw tooth holder to which the saw teeth are mounted may be configured such that a standard single-cutting face saw tooth may be abutted directly thereagainst and fastened in place to the holder, while a reversible saw tooth as described above may also be fastened thereagainst, whether using an intermediate adaptor or not. 
     In at least one such embodiment, a tooth holder  712  as depicted in  FIG. 33  is so configured to be able to accept either a standard (i.e. one-sided) saw tooth or a reversible saw tooth as described above. The saw tooth holder  712  includes a step  727  disposed at the inner end of the seat surface  724  at the junction of the seat surface  25  which may be perpendicularly disposed relative to the surface  724 , and which together define an opening therebetween within which the saw tooth is received for fastening to the holder. This step  727  extends the full width of the opening defined between these perpendicular surfaces  724  and  725 . As noted above, while these seats  724 , 725  on the holder  712  are disposed in two perpendicular planes, these may each be respectively inclined relative to a radial and tangential axis of the circular saw disk to which the holder  712  is mounted, which may in a particular embodiment correspond to the radial and tangential axis of the holder when in use, such as to create a slight forward kerf clearance for the cutting edges of the tooth. In at least one embodiment, however, the radially outer surface  729  of the step  727  may also inclined relative to the seating surface  725 , such as to permit the retro-fit of a standard (i.e. one sided) saw tooth which may have an overall tapered configuration (i.e. truncated pyramidal shape) between a base end thereof and the opposed cutting face. The step  727  thus permits the inner cutting edges of the standard saw tooth to clear (preferably without touching) the seating surface  725  without interference being caused therebetween. Thus, the outwardly inclined angle of attack (i.e. a forward clearance attack angle of between about 0 and 5 degrees for example) may thus be maintained for a standard tooth when used with the holder  712  which can also accommodate reversible saw teeth of the present invention. When such a reversible saw tooth is to be mounted to the holder  712 , a corresponding adapted may be employed which has at least a portion thereof which is shaped and configured to complement and correspond to the step  727 , such that a rear surface of the holder may nevertheless abut the rear seating surface  724  of the holder, without the step  727  interfering with this abutment. This may include, for example, a cut-out region corresponding to the step  727 , taper side walls corresponding to the inclination (if any) of the step  727  relative to the two perpendicular seating surfaces, etc. For example, the adaptor employed may have a reverse taper thereon at a rearward end thereof, which is adapted to abut the inclined step  727 , and forward portion which is configured for mating with both of the opposed cutting faces of the saw tooth in question. The adapter may also be stepped itself, having a first side wall portion which is adapted to sit on the step  727  of the holder, and another side wall portion which is adapted to overly the base seating surface  725 . It is understood that regardless, the rear face of the adapter is configured to abut against the rear seating surface  724  of the holder, and includes a bore therethrough as necessary for the attachment of the saw tooth and adapter to the holder. It is also to be understood that the step  727  may also be 90 degrees relative to each of the seating surfaces  725  and  724  (i.e. the step is not inclined). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 34 , the saw tooth assembly  1611  in accordance with yet another embodiment is depicted. The saw tooth assembly  1611  includes a saw tooth holder  1612 , an adapter  1614  and a saw tooth  10  as previously described. Of course, any of the other reversible saw teeth described hereinabove may similarly be used with the adapter  1614  and the holder  1612  of this embodiment. The saw tooth assembly  1611  differs from those above in that the adapter  1614  includes, on a side thereof oppose a forward face  1648  which is configured and complementary to the cutting faces  26  and  28  of the saw tooth  10 , a rear shank  1647  which is disposed about the central bore  1650  extending through the adapter  1614 , and protrudes rearwardly from a main rear surface  1646  of the adapter which is adapted to abut the seating surface  1624  of the holder. The central shank  1647  is thus adapted to extend into and be received within a corresponding opening  1621  defined within the holder  1612 . The shank  1647  of the holder  1614  may be cylindrical, square or rectangular in cross-sectional shape, or may be similarly define any number of other polygonal cross-sectional shapes, both regular and irregular. The holder  1614  having such a shank  1647  provides improved strength to the overall assembly, thereby reducing the likelihood of the fastener  13  which retains the assembly together to bend or break in the event that the saw tooth and/or the entire saw disk to which the holder is mounted, strikes a rock or another hard object which can cause damage to the saw tooth assemblies of the rotary cutting machine&#39;s saw disk. Further, this configuration readily permits the reversible saw tooth  10  and the associated adapter  1614  to be removed, if desired, from the holder  1612  and replaced with a standard (i.e. a single-sided saw tooth having only one cutting face) saw tooth, which includes on a rear surface thereon a shank portion similar to the shank  1647  of the adapter  1614  for receipt within the corresponding opening  1621  of the holder  1612 . 
     Although the saw teeth described above include opposed cutting faces which each include at least two cutting edges thereon (in most of the above described embodiments, for example, each cutting faces includes four cutting edges thereon). Although at least more than two cutting edges are provided on each cutting face of the present invention (for the embodiment of  FIG. 32 , the continuous circular cutting edges is considered to include a plurality of cutting portions about the full circumference thereof, and thus comprising more than a single cutting edge portion), it is to be understood that any number of cutting edges may be provided on each of the two cutting faces. For example, the cutting faces of the saw tooth may comprise an octagonal shape (wherein 8 cutting edges are defined on each of the two cutting faces), a hexagonal shape (where 6 cutting edges are defined on each of the two cutting faces), a pentagonal shape (where 5 cutting edges are provided on each of the two cutting faces), etc. Further, the cutting faces may be provided with non-regular polygonal shape, for example may comprise a rectangular shape (i.e. having four cutting edges on each of two opposed cutting faces). It is understood that in this embodiment, when the saw teeth are rotated about 180 degrees (i.e. about their central axes), they will remain in the same relative position with respect to the holder, however if they are rotated by 90 degrees they may protrude more or less (depending on the starting point) relative to the holder. Much as described above, regardless of the shape and configuration of the cutting face, the saw tooth remains invertible such as to expose the opposite cutting face and locate the cutting edges thereon in an operable cutting position. 
     The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be exemplary. Those skilled in the art will therefore appreciate that the forgoing description is illustrative only, and that various alternatives and modifications can be devised without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the present is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.