A surgical saw blade comprising: an elongated blade bar , the blade bar having opposed proximal and distal sections, a longitudinal center axis that extends between the proximal and distal sections, the proximal section having a proximal end face of the blade bar and a feature for releasably holding the blade bar to a powered surgical sagittal saw , the distal section being formed with a void space and a primary opening into the void space, wherein the proximal section has opposed side edges that extend forward from the blade bar proximal end face , wherein said side edges taper outwardly relative to the longitudinal center axis of the blade bar such that, when coupled to the powered surgical sagittal saw , the side edges seat against brackets of a head of the saw so that the blade bar is tightly held against the brackets so that side movement of the blade relative to the saw is locked out; a blade head , the blade head having: a base disposed in the blade bar distal section void space that is pivotally mounted in the blade bar distal section void space; and a crown integral with the base that extends through and outside of the blade bar distal section primary opening, the crown being formed with teeth , wherein a thickness of the crown is greater than the thickness of the base to allow the insertion of the blade bar into a kerf cut by the blade head ; and at least one drive rod that has a distal end moveably attached to the blade head base and a proximal end adjacent blade bar proximal section, the proximal end adapted to be attached to a drive member integral with the surgical sagittal saw; characterized in that : the blade bar is further formed so that: forward of the blade bar proximal section having the outwardly tapered side edge the blade bar is formed so that the distal section has a constant width. an elongated blade bar , the blade bar having opposed proximal and distal sections, a longitudinal center axis that extends between the proximal and distal sections, the proximal section having a proximal end face of the blade bar and a feature for releasably holding the blade bar to a powered surgical sagittal saw , the distal section being formed with a void space and a primary opening into the void space, wherein the proximal section has opposed side edges that extend forward from the blade bar proximal end face , wherein said side edges taper outwardly relative to the longitudinal center axis of the blade bar such that, when coupled to the powered surgical sagittal saw , the side edges seat against brackets of a head of the saw so that the blade bar is tightly held against the brackets so that side movement of the blade relative to the saw is locked out; a blade head , the blade head having: a base disposed in the blade bar distal section void space that is pivotally mounted in the blade bar distal section void space; and a crown integral with the base that extends through and outside of the blade bar distal section primary opening, the crown being formed with teeth , wherein a thickness of the crown is greater than the thickness of the base to allow the insertion of the blade bar into a kerf cut by the blade head ; and at least one drive rod that has a distal end moveably attached to the blade head base and a proximal end adjacent blade bar proximal section, the proximal end adapted to be attached to a drive member integral with the surgical sagittal saw; characterized in that : the blade bar is further formed so that: forward of the blade bar proximal section having the outwardly tapered side edge the blade bar is formed so that the distal section has a constant width. <EOS>