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Reciprocating saws are one of the most useful cutting power tools. These tools will cut into a wide range of material hence making them very handy for contractors, woodworkers, fabricators, hobbyists and most other tradesmen. However, the grinder will only be helpful if you choose the right reciprocating saw blade for your unit.

Picking the right type of reciprocating saw blade for your unit will entail considering important aspects like teeth, dimensions, and material. By keeping these features in mind and understanding what your projects require, you can be confident of finding the right blades. And luckily there are many types and manufacturers of the reciprocating blades.

Porter-Cable PC760R is the cheapest pruning and wood cutting blade on our list. The blade is 9-inch long, and so it will make deeper cuts and do it faster than most others. And the best thing about it is that it does not clog when cutting.

The 4/5 TPI (teeth per inch) on this reciprocating blade ensures that you can cut even pressure treated and wet lumber. Also, it has a high steel carbon construction that not only provides fast cuts through rough woods but is also very durable.

Who Should Buy?

Being the cheapest pruning/wood cutting blade on our list, it is a good choice for an individual that wants something durable and affordable for pruning small branches around the yard.

#2. Bosch RW66 Reciprocating Saw Blades

Editor's Rating:  (4.6 / 5)

Bosch RW66 is a blade set of some steel alloy 6-inch blades that will make cutting small and medium size branches fast and easy. The company makes them in a unique 5-degree tilt angle that makes the cuts faster than what you get from many other reciprocating saw blades.

And to make sure that you do not waste a lot of time looking for them in your tool box the manufacturer gives them a gray color-coding.

Who Should Buy?

Bosch RW66 comes in an affordable pack of 5 which makes it ideal for a homeowner that does regular pruning as it ensures that he/she gets enough blades to last for some time.

#3. Bosch RP125 Reciprocating Saw Blades

Editor's Rating:  (4.7 / 5)

If you are on the market for the best reciprocating saw blade for cutting wood, Bosch is always the brand to turn to because they make some of the finest ones. Their 12-inch Bosch RP125 is perfect for making deep cuts and doing it fast as they also feature a 5-degree tilt angle.

The gray color-corded blades that you get in this set are easy to identify on your toolbox. These blades remain sharp even after several uses, and they can chew through roots and branches quickly. At 8 ounces it is one of the lightest wood cutting blades on our list.

Who Should Buy?

Bosch RP125 is a 12-inch long blade which makes it perfect for making deep cuts. And so it will work well for people that do not have a lot of time for pruning because it makes the cuts fast and smooth.

#4. Skil 94100-05 Reciprocating Saw Blades

Editor's Rating:  (4.7 / 5)

The Skil 94100-05 is the last wood cutting reciprocating saw blade set on our list and also the priciest. These fire-hardened high-steel carbon blades are perfect for use around the home when you need to cut small branches and trees.

The 9-inch long reciprocating blades make cuts that are deep enough, and they have some large teeth which are perfect for cutting both roots and branches. Skil gives these saw blades a Fleam ground design that makes it possible to cut on both forward and reverse strokes. The blades are compatible with reciprocating saws from most of the major brands and all the models by Skil.

Who Should Buy?

The Skil 94100-05 blades work well around the house, and you can use them to cut small trees and branches. But it is quite a pricey set, and so it is a good buy for someone willing to spend the extra cash.

For Cutting Metal

#5. Bosch RM618 Reciprocating Saw Blades

Editor's Rating:  (4.7 / 5)

Metal cutting reciprocating blades tend to wear out fast, but this is not the case when using the Bosch RM618. The company makes them with a bi-metal composition to lengthen their lifespan and pair-setting geometry which also increases the life and fastens the cut.

The 3-degree tilt angle on these blades increases the overall performance by making the cuts fast. Also, the 3/4-inch height and thin body make it more resistant to shattering and breaking.

Who Should Buy?

Bosch RM618 reciprocating saw blade is an all-purpose metal cutting blade that you can use for everything from cutting bottom door seals to pipes. And so it is a perfect choice for a homeowner that likes to do regular DIY projects.

#6. Freud DS0908CF Carbide-Tipped Reciprocating Saw Blades

Editor's Rating:  (4.9 / 5)

The Freud DS0908CF comes as a single blade which makes it one of the priciest items on our list. But, despite the price, it is still one of the best reciprocating saw blades for cutting metal since it can cut into almost any metal kind and thickness. The carbide tip and the 9-inch length make sure that it can cut through thick metal and do it faster than most other blades.

This blade also features an enhanced connection between the body and carbide tip that ensures extreme impact resistance. And the teeth remain sharp and usable for long to make sure you can do several cuts without replacing the blade.

Who Should Buy?

These blades can cut into very thick metal pieces thanks to their 9-inch length and so they are a good buy for any contractor or hobbyist with thick and long metals to cut.

#7. DeWalt DWA4188 Reciprocating Blade

Editor's Rating:  (4.6 / 5)

Both hobbyists and professional contractor love DeWalt products because they are always high quality. The DeWalt DWA4188 is one of their best reciprocating saw blades judging from the popularity. These DeWalt reciprocating saw blades are ideal fro cutting cold rolled steel, angle iron, rebar and many other metals.

Each of the blades is 1 inch tall and with a thickness of 0.42 inch and the extra height and density gives them extra durability by preventing breakage and bending. The preparation process and proprietary coating give these blades a longer lifespan.

Who Should Buy?

If you are tired of changing blades after every few cuts or even before you finish one the DeWalt DWA4188 is what you need to buy. The proprietary coating makes it last longer than most other reciprocating saw blades on our list and also on the market.

For Cutting Wood & Metal

#8. Makita 723086-A-A Reciprocating Saw Blades

Editor's Rating:  (4.7 / 5)

Makita 723086-A-A is a versatile reciprocating saw blade set that will be very handy for most professional contractors and homeowners. The assorted sizes and TPI (teeth per inch) of the blades make this a multipurpose set that will be very helpful when dealing with both wood and metal. And the affordable price and a high number of saw blades mean that you get more value from Makita 723086-A-A.

This set of bi-metal blades includes 18T, 10T, 6T and the progressive teeth blades. The quality construction and the assortment of reciprocating saw blades mean that you can cut through wood, plastic, and metal quickly and efficiently.

Who Should Buy?

Anyone looking for a handy assortment of blades for a workshop will love this set. However, the size of the blades and performance makes them better suited for a hobbyists or DIYer than a professional contractor.

#9. Skil 94103 Reciprocating Blade Set with Pouch

Editor's Rating:  (4.7 / 5)

The Skil 94103 is a product by one of the leading brands when it comes to the manufacture of reciprocating saw blades. This set consists of some high-carbon steel blades that offer top notch performance and are also very durable. These blades have some fire-hardened and precision ground edges to ensure fast chip removal.

Skil 94103 blades are compatible with all reciprocating saws by Silk and most others from the major brands. This set also comes with a small roll pouch that makes storage and transportation easy.

Who Should Buy?

The roll pouch that comes with these blades makes them very easy to store and transport. And this makes it an excellent pick for an individual looking for a convenient reciprocating blade set for multipurpose use and use in different sites.

#10. DeWalt DW4890 Reciprocating Saw Blade Set

Editor's Rating:  (4.5 / 5)

DeWalt DW4890 is the priciest item on our list, but it also has more pieces than all the other sets. This blade set offers some of the best reciprocating saw blades that you can get anywhere. And this is not only due to their bi-metal construction but also because it includes many blades for both wood and metal.

The blades in this set include 5 each of the 18 TPI for cutting metal, 14 TPI metal blades and 6 TPI wood blades. They come in a sturdy plastic case that can expand to fit 9-inch blades, and it will also fit in a standard size tool kit box.

Who Should Buy?

The DeWalt DW4890 is a perfect reciprocating saw blade set for a professional contractor looking for reliable and durable metal and wood cutting blades.

Blade Material with Different Purposes

Although reciprocating saw blades can cut through almost anything from metal to wood and plaster the important thing is to find the right blade for the job. These blades come in different materials and each suitable for different cutting applications. Most reciprocating saw blades are in most instances made from high-speed steel, carbon steel, carbide grit and bi-metal.

#1. Carbon Steel Blades

Flexibility is the main characteristic of the carbon steel blades, and it is also one of their most outstanding features since it allows them to bend without breaking. And so they are for cutting wood and plastic materials. You can get these blades that have anywhere between 4 and 14 TPI (teeth per inch) which make them quite versatile when it comes to cutting nail-free wood, plastic pipes and non-ferrous metal (1/8-inch to 1/2-inch).

#2. High-Speed Steel

High-speed steel blades are a product of a steel tempering process, and they are not only resistant to heat but will also last longer than the carbon steel blades. The extra hardness of these blades makes them ideal for cutting many metal kinds and hardwoods. However, they are not very flexible and hence making them more prone to breaking.

#3. Carbide Grit Blades

Carbide grit blades are among the hardest but also the priciest of all the reciprocating saw blade types. The extreme hardness of these blades makes them a perfect choice when you need to saw some dense materials. They will in most cases come with a TPI of 6 or 10, and you can use them for anything from cutting fiberglass, ceramic tile, cast iron and stone brick to the demolition of nail-embedded wood.

#4. Bi-Metal Blades

The bi-metal blades are the best reciprocating saw blades when it comes to break-resistance and flexibility. They combine the best features of the high-speed steel and high carbon steel. The body of the blade is high carbon steel which offers flexibility while the teeth are high-speed steel for durability and hardness. You can get these blades in 14, 18 and 24 TPI and all are ideal for cutting pipe, nonferrous metals structural and stainless steel and most other thin types of metals.

Things to Consider When Buying Reciprocating Blades

While our reciprocating saw blades reviews above will make it easy for you to choose a high-quality saw blade, this will only be so if you know what to looks for when shopping for one. It is important to take into account the following elements to make sure that you get blades that will work for you.

#1. Material Type

The first and probably also the most important factor that you should consider when choosing a reciprocating saw blade is the material you intend to cut. Determine the materials that you will be using with the blade more frequently. And if it is for cutting wood also consider if the pieces will be nail free or not.

#2. Project and Blade Size

Apart from the material, you will also need to take into account the size of your project. For example, using a reciprocating saw blade with a more teeth per inch to cut a small or short material will cause some damages. Using a blade with less TPI on large pieces, on the other hand, will mean that it will take you longer to finish the project. And so it is important to match the size of the blade to the project size.

#3. The Fitting

Any reciprocating saw blade that you buy will only be useful for you if it can fit your unit. Before purchasing a reciprocating saw blade, it is vital to make sure that it has the same locking or fitting mechanism with your reciprocating saw. There are many reciprocating saw blade kinds in the market, and so you can be sure of finding something that will work with your unit.

#4. Dimensions and Teeth

When it comes to dimensions, there are three things that you need to take into account which is the length, thickness, and width. Most blades are between 3 and 12 inches long, and it is important to know that the longer the reciprocating saw blade, the deeper the cut it will make. Also, thin blades tend to be more flexible than the thick ones.

For the teeth, the most important thing is the TPI (teeth per inch), and it is a representation of the blade’s toughness. Blades that have few teeth will make rough cuts and so if you are looking for something to make smooth cuts you should go for one with more TPI. It is also worth knowing that the abrasive saw blades will not have teeth, but they can still make smooth and easy cuts on metals.