What is the Best Reciprocating Saw Blade? For Metal, Wood, And More (2024)

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Reciprocating saw blades are very versatile and can work with a bunch of materials. Purchasing the wrong set of saw blades for the incorrect type of material will not only ruin your saw but your workpiece as well. To guide you through this, I’ve handpicked the best reciprocating blades for different purposes based on my expertise.

Premium Pick
Milwaukee 49-22-1129
Editor’s Choice
Bosch RP125
Budget Option
Milwaukee 48-00-5026
Milwaukee 49-22-1129
Bosch RP125
Milwaukee 48-00-5026
• Thick and heavy duty
• 1-inch height
• Wide profile
• Pack of 12
• Pruning and wood cutting
• Turbo-Teeth Technology
• Extreme and tough
• Precision ground
• Affordable price
• Heat-treated blade
• 5-year limited warranty
• Heavy demolition
Premium Pick
Milwaukee 49-22-1129
Milwaukee 49-22-1129
• Thick and heavy duty
• 1-inch height
• Wide profile
• Pack of 12
Editor’s Choice
Bosch RP125
Bosch RP125
• Pruning and wood cutting
• Turbo-Teeth Technology
• Extreme and tough
• Precision ground
Budget Option
Milwaukee 48-00-5026
Milwaukee 48-00-5026
• Affordable price
• Heat-treated blade
• 5-year limited warranty
• Heavy demolition

Reviews of the Top Reciprocating Saw Blades

1. Bosch RP125

Many people choose reciprocating saw blades for heavy-duty work, and the Bosch RP125 is a great choice for extreme cuts on tough materials. You get five 12-inch 5 teeth per inch (TPI) reciprocating saw blades that are especially designed for pruning and wood cutting.

Bosch has outfitted the blades with Turbo-Teeth Tech that helps the teeth to stay sharper and the blade to last longer. Although the blades were designed for heavy or demolition use, they can be used for everyday projects and even cut through stainless steel, wood with nails, metal, fiber cement, sheet metal, and fiberglass. 

What I Like

What I Don't Like

2. Milwaukee 49-22-1129

Milwaukee, master of the Sawzall, brings us a 12-piece reciprocating Sawzall blade set. These are the best Sawzall blades for toughness and durability, as they were specifically strengthened. 

The reciprocating saw blades are thicker, and there is a 1-inch height for more robustness. It will not bend, distort or warp, regardless of the project.

Each Milwaukee 49-22-1129 Sawzall blade is made to handle large remodeling jobs or small everyday tasks. Although the Sawzall blades are wider, they still fit into tight spaces so you won’t be sacrificing strength for utility. The blades store into 5 easily accessible compartments for ease of use. 

What I Like

What I Don't Like

3. Milwaukee 48-00-5026

I always go from the priciest option to the budget choice, which lands on the Milwaukee 48-00-5026 reciprocating saw blade set. Instead of having a variety of blades in one combo, the 48-00-5026 is a set of 5 identical blades that are heat-treated to have an ultra-hardened cutting edge that makes them ideal for demolition.

The cobalt steel blades come with a 5-year limited warranty and they can get through nail-embedded wood, and demolition and remodeling tasks. When you’re buying blades, you want to make sure they last. The 1-inch height on these blades for a reciprocating saw is bi-metal that’s made to last. 

What I Like

What I Don't Like

4. Freud DS0909CGP3

I can’t have a list of saw blades without Freud making an appearance. The Freud DS0909CGP3 are durable and meant for cutting wood and metal. The carbide-tipped blades have a 50% longer lifespan when cutting metal and wood. The teeth have a variable tooth design which reduces vibrations and gets through materials even faster.

As with many of Freud’s blades, the DS0909CGP3 has Perma-shield protective coating on them for heat resistance and to reduce friction when in use. The unique design doesn’t stop there. The Freud DS0909CGP3 also has a unique plunge tip design that makes plunging easier in wood. 

What I Like

What I Don't Like

5. Bosch RAP7PK

I’ve come across Bosch’s RAP7PK reciprocating saw blades in my work, and they’ve left an impression. This specific set is tailored for wood and boasts 6 TPI blades. I’ve observed that each blade not only cuts faster but also endures longer.

As for the metal options within this combo, they’re bi-metal blades featuring a paired teeth setting and an impressively thin kerf. I also appreciate that the set includes blades adept for nail-embedded wood and demolition tasks, all fashioned from bi-metal material with edges that are both hardened and finely sharpened.

For so many blades, the price of the Bosch RAP7PK is quite reasonable, making me a big fan of this bi-metal blade. 

What I Like

What I Don't Like

6. EZARC R656HM

The EZARC R656HM reciprocating saw blade pack has 3 pieces of bi-metal blades with carbide technology. The blades are optimized for both wood and metal and feature a 6 TPI design to get through the material quickly and painlessly.

Each of the teeth on the carbide-tipped blade is precision ground, which are tough and durable enough to absorb all the impact for demolition jobs. The universal shank makes the blades fit reciprocating saws from various brands including Bosch, Milwaukee, Makita, DeWalt, and more.

These are one of the best reciprocating saw blades for a single purpose and promote reliability.

What I Like

What I Don't Like

7. DeWalt DW4898

Having worked with various brands over the years, I’ve seen firsthand that DeWalt consistently spreads its expertise across various domains. Naturally, they’ve crafted reliable and trustworthy blades for reciprocating saws as well. In my experience, their bi-metal blades are standard yet suitable for every application. What personally caught my eye was the case these blades come in—it’s cleverly designed to fit right inside a standard toolbox.

The DeWalt DW4898 bi-metal blades work great against wood and metal and are designed to stay sharper for longer. No matter which blade you use, there are reinforced teeth to help give your reciprocating saws that extra push to get through. 

What I Like

What I Don't Like

Reciprocating Saw Blade Buyer’s Guide

When it comes to choosing between metal cutting blades, wood blades, shorter or longer ones, or even straight versus sloped blades, I understand how it can be overwhelming. I’ve been there, and I’ve seen many professionals grapple with these choices. That’s precisely why I’ve put together a concise checklist to help you pinpoint the right blade for your needs.

Material Type and Quality

The best reciprocating saw blades will, without a doubt, outlast all the others. In order to know if they’re tough, I looked at the construction material type and the quality. There are 5 main types of reciprocating saw blades, and I will talk about each one in more detail.

High Carbon Steel

Let’s start with high carbon steel (HCS). Carbon steel or high carbon steel blades are flexible. This may not be a desirable trait for some, but high carbon steel is designed to give flexibility while still maintaining strength. This means high carbon steel will bend but definitely not break. 

reciprocating saw blade of this type will generally have around 4 to 14 TPI, and I recommend them for non-ferrous metals of half an inch thick, plastics, and wood that does not have embedded nails.

High Speed Steel

From my years of hands-on experience, I’ve come to respect the durability and strength of high-speed steel (HSS) blades. They’re my go-to for some of the tougher tasks. But, it’s essential to be aware that their rigidity can sometimes make them more prone to breaking compared to other blade varieties. Still, having closely observed them in action, I can vouch for their remarkable heat resistance and how they often outlast other blade types in specific scenarios.

I suggest this type of reciprocating saw blade for metals and hardwoods. You may find blades with just high speed steel teeth combined with bi-metal material. High-speed steel teeth means the teeth are optimized to be extremely hard and durable and gives a sharp cutting edge. 

Bi-Metal Steel

If I had to choose just one standout, it’d be the bi-metal blades. In my experience, these reciprocating saw blades strike the perfect balance between strength and flexibility, essentially combining the best of the previously mentioned types.

These are the blades I referred to earlier that feature a carbon steel body with HSS teeth. Depending on your needs, you can find bi-metal reciprocating saw blades with 14, 18, or 24 teeth per inch.

Carbide Tipped

I then have carbide-tipped and carbide grit blades. Carbide tipped are basically bi-metal saw blades that have tungsten or titanium teeth. These reciprocating saw blades are among the toughest and very heat resistant.

Materials such as cast iron are no match for a carbide-tipped reciprocating saw blade. However, if you’re looking to cut rocks and other masonry materials, then diamond blade options may be a better choice. 

I’ve also worked with blades featuring carbide grit. Unlike traditional ones, these don’t have teeth; instead, they sport a tungsten carbide grit coating. From my experience, they’re superb for materials like cast iron, brick, concrete, and even marble.

Diamond

Diamond blades just sound expensive, and they are. Diamond grit blades are much stronger than the rest, since diamonds are the hardest material known to man as of now and rank the highest on the Mohs Hardness Scale [1]. They are very abrasive and work for the hardest materials including glass, ceramics, tile, and masonry purposes.

Which saw blades for reciprocating saws do you need? It all depends on the materials you work with. 

Dimensions

When I look at blade dimensions, I’m considering their length, height, and width. In some of the product reviews I’ve tackled, I’ve noted how manufacturers have enhanced the height and width for added strength. Let me break down for you how these dimensions differ and how they can impact the longevity of your blade.

Like with most power tool blades, the size impacts what you can cut. Reciprocating saw blades don’t have a diameter measurement because they aren’t circular, but these tools can still be used in making holes in the wood. These saw blades have a length measurement you should pay attention to.

You can find blades anywhere from as short as 3 inches all the way up to 12. The most common sizes are 4, 6, 9 and 12 inches. A simple rule to keep in mind is that shorter blades are better for more aggressive jobs and they are less likely to bend regardless of the blade material.

On the other hand, longer blades are more likely to possess flexibility, which gives them the edge over plywood, hardwood, softwood, and they make excellent pruning blades. For instance, I have found that longer Sawzall blades are the top choice for pruning blades. 

How do you pick the right blade length? As long as the blade is at least 3 inches longer than your material, then you’re good to go. So, shorter blades of 3 inches are recommended for thin materials.

Width is another crucial factor I always take into account. Based on my observations, a thicker width tends to provide greater strength. When paired with the right blade material, like carbon steel blades, I’ve successfully cut through some incredibly tough materials, including cast iron.

Keep in mind that extra width will add to the rigidity of the best reciprocating saw blades, which will typically make them straighter.

Teeth Per Inch

The teeth per inch is also a term I have mentioned quite a few times throughout. Referred to as TPI for short, the teeth per inch is exactly as it sounds – the number of teeth per inch of the blade. A rule of thumb is that fewer teeth is for more aggressive and rough cuts, while higher TPI blades are meant for finer cuts.

In general TPI between 3 and 8 makes for a great pruning blade, 8 to 14 are good for wood and smaller nails, but you need TPI between 14 to 18 for metals. Aside from the blade’s material the TPI is important to determine what the best reciprocating saws can work on.

Aside from the teeth count, you also need to look at the design. Raker teeth are recommended for cast cuts, but they can leave rougher edges. Raker teeth have alternating patterns. As for wavy teeth, they are great for higher speeds and faster cuts and you will find them on a lot of metal cutting blades as opposed to wood cutting blades. 

Kerf

The kerf, or the thickness of the blade, is another factor that influences whether or not the blade will bend. As you can imagine, thicker blades are better for heavy-duty jobs and thinner ones tend to be more fragile. Thick blades don’t bend as easily, but they do not produce very fine cuts.

The precision of a thicker kerf is there, but they do exert more force when going through your material. Let’s take a closer look at the recommended thickness in inches.

A thinner kerf of about 0.035 is excellent for standard purposes such as copper pipes. Slightly thicker at 0.042 is recommended for slightly tougher jobs, but when you get to 0.05, the blade is excellent for heavy-duty use such as composite materials. I then have the ultra heavy-duty kerf that measures in at 0.062. We’re looking at this type for thick metals such as cast iron and sheet metal. 

An extra tip to help you decide is that thicker blades are also less prone to vibrations and are excellent for denser materials. 

FAQ

What is the strongest type of saw blade?

Diamond blades are the strongest type of saw blade. This is easy to believe because diamonds rank the highest on the Mohs Hardness Scale. A diamond reciprocating blade is the priciest, but it cuts through material such as marble, concrete, granite, and glass, which other blades just cannot do. 

Can you use any blade in a reciprocating saw?

Yes, you can use any blade in a reciprocating saw as long as it’s a reciprocating saw blade. Most of them have universal shanks that will fit any reciprocating saw. Whether it’s carbon steel, HSS, or bi-metal, any type of reciprocating blade will fit your saw.

My Top Pick For a Reciprocating Saw Blade:
Bosch RP125

Out of all the best reciprocating saw blades I have tried, the Bosch RP125 is the best one. It comes in a pack of 5 and are excellent wood cutting blades. The Turbo-teeth Tech and precision ground tips offer a longer lifespan and reduce blade maintenance. The blades are convenient and meant for a variety of applications including fiberglass, cement boards, wood with nails, and various metals. 

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Robert Johnson is a passionate furniture maker & carpenter, sought after for his knowledge on the craft.
You’ve probably seen his down-to-earth wisdom in USA Today, Bobvila, Family Handyman, and The Spruce, where he has shared commentary and guidance on various woodworking topics.

Robert is the brain behind Sawinery, where he aims to share tips, tricks, and a passion for all things carpentry.

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