Abstract: Safety brakes for circular saw blades, circular saws that include the safety brakes, and methods of operating circular saws are disclosed herein. The safety brakes include a sensor assembly, a brake assembly, and an actuator assembly. The sensor assembly is configured to detect an actuation parameter and to generate a trigger signal responsive to detection of the actuation parameter. The brake assembly includes a brake cam and a brake pad. The brake cam is configured to selectively transition between a disengaged configuration and an engaged configuration and is configured to operatively engage a planar side surface of the circular saw blade. The brake pad includes a pad friction material and is positioned such that the pad friction material faces toward the brake cam. The actuator assembly is configured to selectively transition the brake cam from the disengaged configuration to the engaged configuration responsive to receipt of the trigger signal.