A structural band saw blade (10, 110) is defined by a plurality of teeth (12, 112) spaced relative to each other with variable height and set, and a back edge (46, 146) located on the opposite side of the blade relative to the cutting edge. Each tooth of the band saw blade defines a tip (40, 140), a rake face (42, 142) formed on one side of the tip, a primary clearance surface (44, 144) formed on the opposite side of the tip relative to the rake face, a secondary clearance surface (48, 148) adjacent to the primary surface, and a tertiary clearance surface (50, 150) adjacent to the secondary surface. The primary, secondary, and tertiary surfaces respectively define first, second and third acute relief angles (A, B, C) wherein the second angle is less than the first angle and the third angle is greater than both angles. A rake face protrusion (54, 154) is formed opposite the rake face relative to the tip and extends over one end of a weld zone (52, 152) and projects outwardly relative to a plane of the rake face. One or both the secondary and tertiary surfaces projects outwardly from the rake face plane opposite the protrusion to form an increased tooth thickness at the weld zone and prevent tooth strippage.