Reciprocating Saw Blade Types and Uses
Reciprocating saw blade types come down to TPI, length and material: coarse teeth for wood, fine teeth for metal, and a set that covers both.
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Top picks at a glance
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EZARC Arc Edge Reciprocating Saw Blades9.6/10View on Amazon - 2
10-Piece Ultimate Reciprocating Saw Blade Set9.6/10View on Amazon - 3
HORUSDY 40-Piece Reciprocating Saw Blade Set9.6/10View on Amazon - 4
HORUSDY 10-Piece Reciprocating Saw Blades Set9.5/10View on Amazon
A branch over the driveway, a rusted exhaust hanger, a wall stud in the way of a remodel: the reciprocating saw handles all three, but only with the right blade in it. Reciprocating saw blade types come down to teeth per inch, blade length and blade material, and matching those three to the cut is the whole job. This guide explains the types and what the four sets below bring to each cut.
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Below: how TPI and length decide the cut, the four sets side by side, and how to pick a blade for wood, metal or pruning.
EZARC Arc Edge Reciprocating Saw Blades
A 3-pack of 15 inch arc edge pruning blades in 6TPI, with Japanese teeth, fleam-ground teeth and deep gullets, for branches up to 300mm in diameter.
Pros
- 15 inch extra-long arc edge for larger branches
- 6TPI with 4.1mm tooth pitch, for wet and dry wood
- Triple-ground offset teeth give 3 cutting angles
- Maker claims up to 3x life
Cons
- Not compatible with Ryobi reciprocating saws
- No warranty term stated
- No safety standard stated
- No metal cutting stated
10-Piece Ultimate Reciprocating Saw Blade Set
A 10-piece set of 6 and 8 inch blades with 6TPI wood, 18TPI metal and 10-14TPI blades, in Cr-V steel and bi-material, with a storage box.
Pros
- Full mix listed blade by blade
- 6 and 8 inch lengths in one set
- Cr-V steel for wood, bi-material for metal
- Storage box included
Cons
- No warranty term stated
- No safety standard stated
- No shank compatibility list stated
- No blade thickness stated
HORUSDY 40-Piece Reciprocating Saw Blade Set
A 40-piece set spanning 3TPI to 24TPI in 4, 6 and 9 inch lengths, in heat-treated Cr-V and high-speed bi-metal, with a storage pouch.
Pros
- 40 blades in one set
- Full TPI range from 3TPI to 24TPI
- Lengths of 4, 6 and 9 inches
- Storage pouch included
Cons
- No per-blade breakdown stated
- No warranty term stated
- No safety standard stated
- No blade thickness stated
HORUSDY 10-Piece Reciprocating Saw Blades Set
A 10-piece set of high carbon steel blades for wood, metal, drywall and plastic, for common cutting applications.
Pros
- Covers wood, metal, drywall and plastic
- High carbon steel for fast wood cutting and pruning
- Works with all major reciprocating saw brands, per the listing
- 10 blades for common applications
Cons
- No TPI figures stated
- No blade lengths stated
- No warranty term stated
- No safety standard stated
Reciprocating saw blade types at a glance
Teeth per inch, or TPI, is the first figure to read: low TPI means coarse teeth and a fast, rough cut, while high TPI means fine teeth and a smoother cut. The HORUSDY 40-piece set covers 3TPI for aggressive cuts to 24TPI for fine finishes, and the SEDY set pairs 6TPI wood blades with 18TPI metal blades and 10-14TPI blades for wood and soft metal. Length is the second figure: the stated lengths here run from 4 inch blades to a 15 inch pruning blade, and the blade must reach through the material with room to spare.
Blade material is the third figure. The HORUSDY 40-piece set uses heat-treated Cr-V and high-speed bi-metal, the SEDY set uses Cr-V steel for wood and bi-material for metal, and the HORUSDY 10-piece set uses high carbon steel. Pruning blades add their own shape: the EZARC blade has an arc edge with Japanese teeth, fleam-ground teeth and deep gullets.
| Blade set | Lengths | TPI | For |
|---|---|---|---|
| EZARC Arc Edge Blades | 15 in | 6TPI | Pruning, wet and dry wood, green timber, firewood |
| SEDY 10-Piece Set | 6 and 8 in | 6, 10-14, 18TPI | Wood, metal, soft metal |
| HORUSDY 40-Piece Set | 4, 6, 9 in | 3-24TPI | Wood, metal, PVC, pruning, wet wood |
| HORUSDY 10-Piece Set | Not stated | Not stated | Wood, metal, drywall, plastic |
The blade sets that cover the work
Each set below handles one part of the cutting work, from pruning branches to cutting metal pipe, so pick the one whose TPI range and lengths fit the cuts in front of you.
How to pick the right blade type
Start with the material, then the TPI, then the length. Coarse teeth cut wood fast, fine teeth cut metal clean, and the listings here show the split: 6TPI for wood, 18TPI for metal, and 10-14TPI for wood and soft metal in the SEDY set. Check the shank too: the EZARC blades fit most major brands but are not compatible with Ryobi reciprocating saws, while the HORUSDY sets list compatibility with major reciprocating saw brands. Store the blades where they stay sorted and protected; the HORUSDY 40-piece set includes a pouch and the SEDY set includes a box. Check the saw manual before the first cut.
FAQ: garage tools
What TPI should I use for wood?
Coarse teeth suit wood. The EZARC pruning blade is 6TPI, the SEDY set includes 6TPI wood blades, and the HORUSDY 40-piece set starts at 3TPI for aggressive cuts. Lower TPI cuts faster and rougher, higher TPI cuts slower and smoother.
What TPI should I use for metal?
Fine teeth suit metal. The SEDY set includes 18TPI metal blades, and the HORUSDY 40-piece set runs to 24TPI for fine finishes. The SEDY 10-14TPI blades cover wood and soft metal in between.
Do these blades fit any reciprocating saw?
Most of them fit most saws. The EZARC blades use a universal shank that fits most major brands, but state they are not compatible with Ryobi reciprocating saws. The HORUSDY sets list compatibility with major reciprocating saw brands.
What length blade do I need?
The blade must reach through the cut. The HORUSDY 40-piece set offers 4, 6 and 9 inch blades, the SEDY set offers 6 and 8 inch blades, and the EZARC blade lists a 15 inch length with a 320mm working length.
Can one set cut both wood and metal?
Yes, the mixed sets cover both. The SEDY set includes 6TPI wood blades, 18TPI metal blades and 10-14TPI blades for wood and soft metal, and the HORUSDY 40-piece set spans 3TPI to 24TPI for wood, metal and PVC.
Related: our bi-metal vs carbide reciprocating saw blade comparison, the 12 inch reciprocating saw blades for metal picks, our hacksaw vs reciprocating saw guide, and the cordless tools hub.
