HITACHI C7SB2 Circular Saw With No Riving Knife

[Eugbug]

I am considering upgrading to a pro circular saw after having worn out two DIY models from lengthy but not rough usage, so I have plenty of experience cutting timber. I was thinking about buying the HITACHI C7SB2 model. It has plenty of power 1700 watt, but no riving knife (It is designed for plunge cuts). Would it be difficult to steer the saw and prevent it binding? How about following a line marked on timber, would it still be easy enough to do this?

 

[big-all]

the purpose off the riving knife is to stop the wood closing on the back off the blade not so crutial on a plunge saw as the blade retracts as soon as you let go off the saw

it will be no more difficult than before to cut a strait line as the riving knife is a fraction thinner than the blade to stop it binding on all cuts so will seldom effect the cut except will help hold the back off the saw so the teeth on the down stroke will"polish" the wood rather than dig in when you try and alter the saw alinement mid cut

 

[foxhole]

I removed one from my circular saw, always binds when I have it fitted even though everything seems to be inline, without it cutting seems much easier.