Research into the cutting characteristics of bandsaws has shown that, in nearly every case studied, the average cutting path of the saw is biased to one side of the ideal cut path. This paper presents the results of a laboratory investigation into this off-centre cutting. The influences on the shape and cutting behaviour of bandsaws of such basic factors as bandmill strain, guides, guide alignment, and blade overhang, are measured. It is concluded that bandsaw blades are curved in the cutting region and angled slightly out of the cut. The curvature and angle of the blade are due to the interaction of the bandsaw with the bandmill wheels, in the presence of bandmill strain, overhang and wheel crown, and are relatively insensitive to bandmill strain or pressure guides. The curvature and angle of the blade in the cutting region are most likely the cause of the cutting bias.