Increasing the blade height might make a difference, but may
also increase the possibility of kickback.

Seems that force applied in a more downward vector, from an elevated
blade,
would diminish the possibility of kickback.

Less teeth in contact at any time, too.



Perhaps, but an elevated blade would would have teeth in contact with the
wood further apart (front to back). This geometry would exascerbate the
kickback potential with an out-of-parallel fence.

Also, kickback is caused by wood coming on contact with the back of the
blade, the front is not really an issue. I've had a couple of kickbacks over
the years. If a tooth catches and lifts the rear of the board at all, it's
all over. As the board rises, the vector changes to "directly at you".

-Steve