A holding unit is provided to support an ingot in a semiconductor wafer sawing machine, which minimizes the instability of a blade during a sawing process. The holding unit is formed from substantially the same material as an ingot resting thereon. The holding unit includes a top surface for receiving an ingot, a bottom surface, a pair of side walls, and a cavity formed in the holding unit. The cavity forms a plurality of break points in the holding unit. When contacted by the blade, the holding unit fractures at the break points to minimize the chipping of the wafer.