Best Reciprocating Saw Blades 2023 – Reviews & Buying Guide

Reciprocating saws are versatile power cutting tools. Every professional contractor needs one. You will realize how versatile they are if you have multiple blades for them. If you need to cut wood, metals, plastic or drywall, they are your number 1 go-to tool.

You only need to fit them with the right blade and you will cut various materials. But finding the best reciprocating saw blades might be a challenge. There are a lot of these blades out there on the market.

In this review, we’re going to take you through some incredible blade sets for your reciprocating saw. These blades come in sets, meaning you get more than only one blade.

We are going to take you through the process of buying a blade set and a complete guide. Read on and find out more information!

Top Rated Reciprocating Saw Blades Compared

Things To Consider When Buying Reciprocating Saw Blades

Sawzalls or reciprocating saws can cut through various materials. You only need to fit them with the right blade and they will surpass your expectations.

From time to time, you will find yourself needing other blades. And to buy the blades, there are a few factors that you will consider.

Material Of The Blade

There’s no double the material of a Sawzall blade will affect its performance. And there are a few materials that blades can feature in their construction. Some of the materials include the following:

• High Carbon Steel (HCS)

These are the most common blades and are inexpensive. They are also more flexible and bend a lot without breaking. Buy these blades if you want to cut through softer materials.

Such materials include softer woods, particle boards, and plastics. If you use these blades on harder materials, they quickly become dull.

• High-Speed Steel (HSS)

These blades have gone through the tempering process. This makes them more heat-resistant than their high-carbon steel counterparts. They are stronger and are less flexible. As such, they break if they bend too much.

They last five times longer than the high-carbon steel blades. And they are ideal for cutting hardwoods, aluminum, and non-ferrous metals. Their teeth remain sharp or don’t wear too much after cutting such materials.

• Bi-metal blades

These blades combine two materials in their build or construction. Usually, they combine a high-carbon steel body with high-speed steel teeth.

As a result, the body is more flexible and break-resistant. And their high-speed steel teeth are heat-resistant and have prolonged sharpness.

They cost more than the two previous blade types. And they are 10 times more durable than HCS blades. Other Bi-metal blades contain cobalt-steel alloy.

They are better in heat-resistance than the HCS-HSS alloy blades. Also, they are more durable than the HCS-HSS alloy blades.

If you’re into demolition, they’re your go-to blades. Also, choose them if you frequently cut nail-embedded wood and sheet metal materials. People in auto dismantling and pipe cutters can use these blades.

• Carbide-Tipped Blades

These are also bi-metal blades, but each tooth has a carbide tip. The carbide tip can either be tungsten or titanium.

The teeth of these blades are extremely hard, heat-resistant and withstand high impacts. As a result, they keep their sharpness 20 times longer than standard bi-metal blades.

If you want to cut through thicker metals, they’re your go-to blades. They can cut through cast iron, stainless steel, and high strength alloys.

• Carbide Grit Blades

These blades have tungsten carbide abrasive strips for cutting dense materials. They don’t have teeth like traditional reciprocating saw blades.

Their abrasive strip hardness lets them cut dense materials without damaging them.

Choose these blades if you want to cut ceramic tiles, bricks, cement, marble, and stones. Also, they’re ideal for cast iron and fiberglass. Generally, the blades are for people in the construction industry.

• Diamond Blades

These are the most expensive reciprocating saw blades. They use diamonds instead of carbide in their abrasive strip.

Their abrasive strip is harder and finer. This makes them ideal for cutting brittle materials.

Cut concrete, glass, fiberglass, ceramics, and fiber cement without any hassle! Also, you can cut cast iron and masonry materials with these Sawzall blades.

These blades cut faster than carbide grit blades. They are also 5-20 times more durable than their carbide grit counterparts.

Length

Reciprocating saw blades vary in length. Their lengths vary from 3 inches to 12 inches. That means 3-inch blades are the shortest while 12-inch blades are the longest. You will have to consider the length of a Sawzall blade before spending your money.

Standard Sawzall blade lengths are 4-inch, 6-inch, 8-inch, 9-inch, and 12-inch. But the 6-inch and 9-inch lengths are the most common blades. Shorter blades are more rigid and cut with unmatched aggressiveness.

As a result, they give straighter cuts. Buy shorter blades if you want to make plunge cuts. Also, buy them if you want to cut copper pipes and thinner metals.

On the other hand, longer blades are more flexible. They give you room to maneuver bends.

Also, they generate more heat due to a larger cutting edge. If you’re into rescue missions, auto dismantling or demolitions, buy longer blades.

Choose a blade length that is slightly longer than the thickness of the material you’re cutting.

This will give you room for freedom of movement. Also, this choice will reduce slipping and binding. This should be the rule of thumb when selecting the ideal blade length.

If you choose excessively longer blades, the end can dangerously and violently wobble.

The result can be an injury or damaged workpieces and bent blades if you’re lucky. So, choose the right blade length.

Teeth-Per-Inch (TPI)

Don’t downplay this feature. The number of teeth per inch on the blade affects the cuts’ quality. Usually, TPI ranges from 3-24. The blade’s TPI affects its cutting speed and roughness of the cut that it makes.

Lower TPI blades cut faster but leave rougher edges. If you’re into cutting woods, consider buying blades with the 3-7 TPI range. Specifically, opt for a 6 TPI blade for general purpose wood cutting operations.

But if you’re into demolition, consider buying Sawzall blades within the 8-11 TPI range. Also, this is the range to choose if you normally cut through nail-embedded woods.

On the other hand, higher TPI blades cut slower but leave finer edges. They are in the 12-18 TPI range. Buy them for metal cuts and if you want to cut other denser materials. Also, you can choose them for finished cuts in woods.

But we recommend choosing the 18-24 TPI range for cutting metals. You will like the outcome and the cut’s quality.

You can also buy combination Sawzall blades for cutting many materials. These are blades with varying TPI along their cutting edge.

For example, a 10/14 TPI blade has some sections with 10 TPI and other sections with 14 TPI. This is to say they have alternating TPI along their cutting edges. A 10/14 TPI blade is thus ideal for cutting both wood and metals.

You only need to position the blade in a particular way. For cutting wood, let the 10 TPI section do the cutting. But for cutting metals, let the 14 TPI section(s) do the cutting.

Thickness

Blade thickness ranges from 0.035-0.062 inches. Thicker blades are more rigid and durable.

They also resist vibrations better. But they have thicker kerf and aren’t ideal for finer cuts. They can handle larger feeding pressure.

This makes them ideal for demolitions, search and rescue missions and auto-dismantling. They handle tougher jobs. They also cut nail-embedded woods excellently.

For general purpose cutting, choose the 0.035-inch thick blades. They cut faster and are more flexible. They are also more affordable.

The following is a list of reciprocating saw blade thicknesses:

• 0.035-inch — Standard duty blades.
• 0.042-inch — Medium-heavy duty blades.
• 0.050-inch — Heavy-duty blades.
• 0.062-inch — Ultra-heavy duty blades.

Width and Shape

Wider blades are stronger and more durable. They resist bending and vibrations. This makes them your go-to blades if you want to make straighter cuts.

Also, they can handle more aggressive cuts. They are ideal for demolition projects, search and rescue missions and auto-dismantling.

Winder blades have a width of 0.75 to 1-inch. Blades with lower widths are less strong and are more flexible. And they vibrate a lot.

But you can still make finer cuts with them since they don’t cut materials aggressively. They have a width of 0.5 to 0.75-inch.

Blades with less than 0.5-inch thickness are ideal for scroll cutting. They are for more detailed work in wood, metals, and plastics.

Looking at shapes, you either get sloped or straight blades. Sloped blades are ideal for plunge cuts. While straight blades are ideal for edge cuts.

But you can also find some semi-tapered blades. They perform both cuts very efficiently. You can choose these blades when it comes to the shape.

Best Reciprocating Saw Blades – Reviews

1. DEWALT DW4856 Reciprocating Saw Blades

Having a reciprocating saw is a noble idea for any contractor. You can cut various materials with your reciprocating saw if you have the right blade set.

And choosing the right blade set shouldn’t be a chore. Simply opt for the DEWALT DW4856 blade set and you will be good to go.

If you opt for this set of reciprocating saw blades, you get 6 blades! What makes these blades outstanding is their compatibility with all reciprocating saw brands. It doesn’t matter what reciprocating saw you are using.

The 6 blades include:

• DW4802 6-TPI taper-back blade.
• DW4806 10-TPI straight-back blade.
• DW4808 6-inch 14-TPI straight-back blade.
• DW4811 18-TPI straight-back blade.
• DW4813 24-TPI straight-back blade.
• DW4847 5/8-TPI taper-back blade.

All the blades are 6 inches long, which means they cut through various thicknesses. The blades have teeth with a raker design. This design works to increase the blades’ cutting speed.

And with 6 blades, you can cut through various materials. Examples include wood, metal, plastic, and drywall.

The blades are durable since they are metallic. And they will not rust since they have smooth yellow paint finish with DEWALT logo printed on them.

2. Milwaukee, 49-22-1129, 9″ L 6 Reciprocating Saw Blade Set

This reciprocating saw blade set contains 12 blades. The blades come in a handy storage pouch. That makes storing them a no-brainer. And you can easily transport them from one worksite to another with less effort.

Besides, they weigh 1.41 pounds. They have a dimension of 13.8 x 7.9 x 2.3 inches, which makes them compact for easy storage. If you’re into demolition jobs, then you will find this blade set handy.

The blades are thicker than their competitors. This makes them durable and strong at the same time. Also, they are taller for making straight cuts.

This blade set is an assortment of the following blades:

• 4 × 6-inch 18 TPI The Torch blades.
• 2 × 6-inch 8 TPI The Wrecker blades.
• 2 × 6-inch 5/8 TPI The Ax blades.
• 2 × 9-inch 6 TPI The Ax blades.
• 2× 9-inch 14 TPI The Torch blades.

This reciprocating blade set gives you the chance to cut various materials. You can cut through nail-embedded wood with the Ax blades. The wrecker blades are ideal for general demolition cuts. And if you come across any metal that’s on the way, use the torch blades.

3. Freud DS0014S Reciprocating Blade Set

If you opt for this product, you get 14 reciprocating saw blades. They are from the Diablo company, a reputable cutting power tools manufacturer. The blades are very strong and guarantee durability.

That’s true since they comprise of two metals as their material.
If you look at their weight, you will notice how lightweight they’re. The blades weigh only 1.01 pounds, making them very portable.

Also, they are compact-sized with a dimension of 11.4 x 6.4 x 1.02 inches. This only adds to their portability.

They are ideal for corded reciprocating saws. They work efficiently with reciprocating saws with such power supply need. Lengthwise, the blades ranged from 6 inches to 9 inches. And these lengths cutting through various materials no matter their thickness.

What adds to their durability is their ultra-hardened cutting edge. This cutting edge design makes them last five times longer. And their carrying case makes them more portable.

In this set, you get the following blades:

• 4 × DS0614BF 6-inch, 14/18-TPI.
• 4 × DS0614BGP 6-inch, TPI 8/14.
• 4 × DS0612BW 6-inch, 6/12 TPI.
• 1 ×DS0912BW 9-inch, 6/12 TPI.
• 1 × DS0914AFC 9-inch, 10/14 TPI.

With two of Diablo’s popular blades (Demo Demon and Steel Demon), pros can work maximum efficiently.

4. Bosch 5-Piece RP125 Reciprocating Saw Blades

If you buy this product, you get 5 reciprocating saw blades. The Bosch company manufactures these blades. And Bosch is one of the leading manufacturers of power tools. As such, you can expect excellent performance from these blades.

First, the blades feature premium-quality material — carbide material. And the blades’ teeth have the Turbo-Teeth technology. This makes the blades to not only cut materials faster but become durable as well.

These blades are three times more durable than standard blades. Besides, the blades’ teeth have reinforcement to stay sharp for long. And from the 5 blades, you can choose the most suitable one for the job.

If you need a blade for occasional operations, this set has you covered. Also, you can choose blades for standard, heavy-duty or demolition cuts.

The blades can cut through various materials. The materials include wood with embedded nails, metals, cinder blocks, and cement boards. Other materials include stainless steel and fiberglass. The blades have a thick kerf, making them have high-precision operations.

5. Skil 94103 Reciprocating Blade Set With Pouch

If you opt for this product, you get 6 reciprocating saw blades. These blades come in a Skil roll carrying pouch. And this makes them easy to store or carry to a worksite.

The product weighs only 0.16 ounces with a dimension of 13.7 x 4.3 x 2 inches. The product is thus compact-sized and takes up less space.

These blades are bound to last longer. That’s true since high-carbon steel is their material of construction. They are strong and can handle a couple of cutting operations.

All the blades have fire-hardened and precision-ground teeth. As such, they can handle wood, metals, and wood with nails. The blades are compatible with all Skil reciprocal saws and other major brands on the market.

Some of the Skil reciprocating saw models for these blades are 9206 and 9216. Others include RS582902 and RS582802. These blades can take on most tasks you throw at them.

6. IRWIN Reciprocating Saw Blades Set, 11-Piece (4935496)

If you opt for this product, you get 11 reciprocating saw blades. This makes it a great blade set for professional contractors.

The blades are lightweight since they only weigh 0.16 ounces. And with their 16.4 x 9.7 x 13.8-inch dimension, these blades take up less of your space.

These blades can cut through composite materials, plastics and carbon steel. Also, they can cut through stainless steel and pipes. They are bi-metal blades.

That means two reputable and premium-quality metals go into their construction.

As a result, they are very durable and will last years to come. The blades’ teeth are precision-set for finer cuts.

This works to improve the outlook of your projects at completion. The Electronic beam welding technique firmly embeds the teeth to the blades.

In this set, you get the following reciprocating saw blades:

• 5 x Nail-embedded wood blades; 152mm, 6 TPI.
• 4 x Thick-metal bi-metal blades; 152mm, 14 TPI.
• 1 x Medium-metal bi-metal blade; 203mm, 18 TPI.
• 1 x Nail-embedded bi-metal blade for wood; 228mm, 6 TPI.

These blades are inexpensive despite their impressive performance. They’re a nice option for fast-time reciprocating saw users.

7. DEWALT DW4890 Reciprocating Saw Blades, Bi-Metal, Tough Case Set

Professional contractors know that having a power-efficient tool isn’t enough. Versatility is another factor that you will appreciate from a power tool. And the same goes for reciprocating saws. You want a saw that can cut through various materials.

What’s a better way than arming yourself with many blades? No need to look further. This product contains 15 blades for your reciprocating saw! The blades come in a rugged plastic storage case. The case safely stores each blade and this enhances blades’ durability.

The blades themselves are durable. The blades contain 8% Cobalt material in their make. That makes them bi-metal, which means they’re strong. That’s not even the best part. The teeth of each blade have reinforcement.

The reinforcement makes them sharp for a long time. No need to halt the project because your blades have become dull. You can cut through metals, woods, and drywalls with these blades.

The blades in this set are as follows:

5 x 6-inch, 6 TPI bi-metal blade for wood.
5 x 6-inch 14 TPI bi-metal blade for thick metals.
5 x 6-inch 18 TPI bi-metal blade for medium-sized metals.

What makes these blades great is compatibility with other saws. You can use these blades on other reciprocating saw models.

DEWALT company backs up these blades with a 30-day money-back guarantee. So you know they have protected you if you opt for this product.

8. PORTER-CABLE PC760R Pruning Reciprocating Saw Blades

This blade set contains 3 blades for your reciprocating saw. The blades are ideal for users looking to cutting and pruning rough wood. And if you are a groundsman, then these blades could be best for you.

They are strong and handle rough, cutting operations. High-carbon steel metal goes into their construction. This material makes the blades very durable as well. As a result, they’re ideal for cutting wet or pressure-treated lumber.

Each blade is 9 inches long. And they have 4/5 teeth per inch. That makes them ideal for cutting through the materials we’ve already mentioned. They are very light and carrying them is never a chore. They weigh only 3.2 ounces.

Also, they are compact-sized with their dimension of 11.4 x 1.6 x 0.3 inches. The PORTER-CABLE company backs up the blades with a 30-day money-back guarantee. You are a protected consumer if you opt for this product.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are all blades for reciprocating saws universal?

Yes, Sawzall blades are universal. That means they can fit all reciprocating saws. That’s possible since they have a universal shank that’s standard to fit all Sawzall units.

2. What are the best reciprocating saw blades for metal?

Bi-metal or carbide-tipped blades with a higher TPI will excellently work for you. The material of the blade depends on the metal that you’re cutting. For aluminum, choose an 8-10 TPI blade. For thinner metals like sheet metal, use 18-24 TPI bi-metal blades. For thicker metals, choose the 14-18 TPI bi-metal blades.

3. Do I need a special Plaster reciprocating saw blade?

Yes, you do. You need an 8% cobalt blade for cutting plasters. But the best blade is one with triangular-shaped teeth. They cut in both directions. This makes them specially designed for plasters.

4. What Sawzall blade should I use to cut through hardened steel?

Carbide-tipped blades are what you want to choose in this case. They cut through harder, denser and thicker materials. They will cut through hardened steel and high-grade stainless steel. But if you don’t mind spending a few extra bucks, choose diamond grit blades as well.

5. What Are The Best Reciprocating Saw Blades For Wood?

If you’re looking to cut some 6 by 6 wood, or nail-embedded wood, consider buying a 6-10 TPI blade. But buying a combination blade is the best idea.

Choose either a 5/8 TPI or 10/14 TPI blade. Be sure to choose a blade with the length ranging from 6-12 inches. As your blade length increases, so should the thickness to avoid bending.

6. What Is The Right Reciprocating Saw Blade For Fiberglass?

Have it in mind that fiberglass is an abrasive material. This calls for making the right choice when choosing a Sawzall blade for fiberglass.
You should choose either a carbide grit or carbide-tipped blade.

7. Do I Need A Special PVC Reciprocating Saw Blade?

Yes, you will need a special Sawzall blade to cut PVC pipes. You will want to fit a combination wood/metal blade. This is simply a blade that can cut through PVC pipes and metals. The blade, in this case, should have a 10/14 TPI configuration.

8. Can I bring down trees with a reciprocating saw blade?

You might not be able to fell down a tree with a Sawzall blade. That’s because tree trunks are very thick. The blade will, therefore, not cut through the thickness of the trunk.

Remember that the longest Sawzall blade is 12 inches. They can use to prune tree branches

Conclusion

Reciprocating saw blades are easy to select. Now you have the right knowledge to improve your purchasing decision. Always strive to opt for the best blades. They will improve your cuts and project outcomes.

The best blade depends on the project at hand. If you need demolition or auto-dismantling blade, you always have an option. But that option will be different for pruning or general woodwork projects.

We have included incredible blade sets for your Sawzall. But only one of them are our favorite. The DEWALT DW4890 blade set is the winner of the round-up for a few reasons.

First, you get 15 blades if you choose it. Second, the blades are bi-metal can cut various materials. They can cut through wood, metals, and drywall. And they’re 8% cobalt.

This makes them more heat-resistant and are very durable. Besides, they come in a strong plastic storage case. This aids in safe storage and transportation.

The runners-up on the list is the Freud DS0014S Reciprocating Blade Set. You get 14 blades in a carrying case for storage and portability.

The blades also cut through various materials. Also, they’re bi-metal and are equally durable. They cut nail-embedded woods and metals as well.

Those are the two best blade sets on this list. You can opt for them and take your project further. The success of your project depends on your blade set selection.

Take action today and end up with the best blades for your Sawzall.