Bi-Metal vs Carbide Reciprocating Saw Blade: Which One Should You Buy?

A rusted exhaust hanger needs cutting, the old deck boards are coming off, and the blade in the saw has to survive both jobs. Bi-metal vs carbide reciprocating saw blade is the choice that decides how far a blade goes: bi-metal blades cut wood, metal and demolition, while carbide teeth hold an edge far longer on hard metal such as stainless steel, cast iron and rebar. Pick bi-metal for mixed work and demolition, and carbide when hard metal would eat a bi-metal blade fast.

Other tools worth a look

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Below: what bi-metal and carbide each do best, how TPI and length change the cut, and three blades from the listings that show the difference.

Bi-metal vs carbide reciprocating saw blade: what each one is

The listings here show bi-metal in two forms: the SEDY set uses heat-treated teeth across wood and metal blades, and the TOLESA blades add 8% cobalt to the teeth with thicker and wider blades for demolition. Carbide is a different build: the EZARC blades use carbide teeth that are precision ground and individually welded, and the maker states up to 50x longer life than bi-metal reciprocating saw blades. The practical split follows from that: bi-metal covers mixed cutting and demolition, while carbide is the pick when the material is hard enough to wear bi-metal teeth down fast.

Tooth count and length: what TPI and inches change

TPI is teeth per inch, and the listings tie it to the material: the SEDY set uses 6 TPI wood blades for deep wood cutting and fast cutting, 14 TPI metal blades for medium-thick metal, and 18 TPI metal blades for thin metal. The EZARC carbide blade is 8 TPI for metal from 1/8 in to 1/2 in, and the TOLESA demolition blade is 8+10 TPI. Length matters the same way: the SEDY set includes 9-inch blades that help with deeper cuts, the TOLESA blade is 9 inches, and the EZARC blade is 6 inches. Pick the TPI for the material first, then the length for the depth of the cut.

The gear: three blades that show the difference

These three listings cover the choice: a carbide blade for hard metal, a cobalt bi-metal blade for demolition, and a 12-piece bi-metal set for mixed wood and metal work.

EZARC carbide, 6-inch 8 TPI, 3-pack. The carbide teeth are precision ground and individually welded, and the maker states up to 50x longer life than bi-metal reciprocating saw blades. The 8 TPI design cuts cast iron, alloy steel, stainless steel, rebar and car beams, with a stated range of 1/8 in to 1/2 in metal. The 1/2 in universal shank fits all major Sawzall saws, and the blade measures 5.9 by 0.98 by 0.05 in.

TOLESA bi-metal, 9-inch 8+10 TPI, 5-pack. The teeth carry 8% cobalt in a high-density bi-metal build, with thicker and wider blades and aggressive teeth for demolition. The listing states cuts through sheet metals from 0.15 to 0.48 inch, open profiles and pipes, nails, steel pipe, drywall, chipboard and composite, including composite materials under 7 inches. The 1/2 in shank fits all Sawzall tools on the market.

SEDY bi-metal, 12-piece set. The set holds four blade types: 4 by 9-inch 6 TPI wood blades, 2 by 8-inch 14 TPI metal blades, 4 by 6-inch 6 TPI wood blades and 2 by 6-inch 18 TPI metal blades, with a storage case. The 6 TPI wood blades use larger, sharper teeth for fast cutting and chip removal, the 9-inch length helps with deeper cuts, and the 14 and 18 TPI metal blades give cleaner, more controlled cuts on pipes, sheets and profiles. The teeth are heat-treated, and the standard shank fits most standard reciprocating saws.

How to pick between bi-metal and carbide

Match the blade to the material first. If the job is wood, demolition or mixed metal and wood, bi-metal covers it: the SEDY set spans both, and the TOLESA demolition blade handles steel pipe, drywall, chipboard and composite. If the job is hard metal, carbide earns its place: the EZARC listing states its teeth cut cast iron, alloy steel, stainless steel, rebar and car beams, and that bi-metal blades fail quickly on stainless steels, high-alloy steels and hardened steels. Then check TPI and length against the cut, and check the shank: the EZARC blade uses a 1/2 in universal shank and the TOLESA blade a 1/2 in shank, and the SEDY set uses a standard shank. For the saw itself, the best cordless reciprocating saw for home mechanics guide and the best bi-metal reciprocating saw blades roundup cover the other half of the choice.

FAQ: garage tools

Can a bi-metal blade cut stainless steel?

Not well, per the listings here. The EZARC carbide listing states that bi-metal blades fail quickly on stainless steels and hardened steels, while its carbide teeth cut stainless steel, cast iron, alloy steel and rebar. The TOLESA bi-metal listing states cuts through steel pipe and sheet metal, so save bi-metal for those and pick carbide for stainless.

What TPI should I pick for cutting metal?

The listings state 14 TPI for medium-thick metal and 18 TPI for thin metal on the SEDY set, 8 TPI for metal from 1/8 in to 1/2 in on the EZARC carbide blade, and 8+10 TPI for demolition on the TOLESA blade. Match the TPI to the thickness of the metal you are cutting.

Do these blades fit any reciprocating saw?

The EZARC blade states a 1/2 in universal shank that fits all major Sawzall saws, the TOLESA blade states a 1/2 in shank that fits all Sawzall tools on the market, and the SEDY set states a standard shank that fits most standard reciprocating saws. Check the shank on your saw against the listing before you buy.

How long does a carbide blade last compared with bi-metal?

The EZARC maker states up to 50x longer life than bi-metal reciprocating saw blades. That is the maker’s claim for its carbide teeth; the bi-metal listings here state longer life and wear resistance without a figure, so compare the claim against the metal you cut.

Which blade is better for demolition work?

The TOLESA is the demolition pick here: a 9-inch 8+10 TPI bi-metal blade with 8% cobalt teeth, thicker and wider blades, and stated cuts through steel pipe, drywall, chipboard and composite. The SEDY set covers mixed wood and metal work, and the EZARC carbide blade handles the hard metal inside a demolition job.

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