4 Types of Reciprocating Saw Blades

When it comes time to choose a new reciprocating saw blade, it is essential that you know which specifications require the most attention. In this way, you can know with certainty that your chosen blade will efficiently accomplish your primary task while remaining sturdy enough for repeated use.

The first specification you should pay close attention to is a reciprocating saw blade's material. Therefore, it is very necessary for us to understand the following types of reciprocating saw blades.

High-carbon Steel Reciprocating Saw Blade High carbon steel blades (HCS, for short) are the most common type of reciprocating blade out there today. Most units come standard with one of these blades and they are readily available for purchase at most hardware stores.

They are typically the most affordably priced ones due to their relatively “soft” construction material. Even so, these blades are fully able to cut through softwoods, particleboard, and plastics with relative ease.

In practice, high carbon steel blades tend to be the most flexible among the five types mentioned here. This has its advantages in that they are able to be used continuously without risk of breaking.

However, this degree of flexibility does tend to impact the accuracy of a cut made by this type of blade. For most applications of a reciprocating saw (such as in demolition), this shortcoming is not a major issue. When used in an industrial setting, this type of blade must be replaced fairly regularly.

This is especially true if the blade is allowed to heat up, given that they do not resist heat well. However, DIY enthusiasts can often get a year or more of use out of these basic-tier reciprocating saw blades.

Also, you may see some blades of this type labeled as “high-speed steel.” This implies that they utilize the same core construction, save for the fact that the steel has gone through an extra tempering step. This makes them more resilient to heat, which in turn allows them to last up to five times longer.

These blades are made up of high-carbon steel as well as other metals to provide more resilience, flexibility, and durability to the entire blade's length. As a result, these blades are often more heat-resistant and able to endure the wear and tear of high-demand applications.

At the same time, bi-metal blades are almost always longer than their standard high-carbon steel counterparts. This allows them to be used for longer, even when they are put to daily use. This longevity has made this type of blade a favorite for professional and industrial applications.

As such, you're likely to see this kind of blade when visiting a demolition site or an auto scrapyard.

In particular, cobalt-steel alloy blades are the most common bi-metal sub-type. These blades are exceptionally durable and heat-resistant while only costing a bit more than a standard blade. They can often be used to cut some metals, too, which makes them useful for pipe cutting among other things.

In terms of its core structure, the cemented carbide blade is actually an improved version of the bimetal blade. However, these blades are usually categorized separately because they utilize special carbide caps on their teeth.

This allows them to become incredibly impact resistant, with some carbide-tipped blades providing as much as twenty times the service life of a standard high-carbon steel blade.

Carbide-tipped blades are also set apart from other types because they are used primarily for cutting thick metal stock. To that end, you'll often see these blades used in heavy industrial settings, such as for the cutting of cast iron, stainless steel, or a grade 8 bolt.

Diamond reciprocating saw blades(or more precisely, diamond-tipped blades) are the very pinnacle of precision and strength when it comes to reciprocating saws.

These blades use a special abrasive cutting process that allows them to effectively slice through everything from glass and ceramics to masonry and cement. These blades also allow for a great deal of finesse, which is crucial when slicing through a fragile material like glass.

Armed with this knowledge, you should equip your reciprocating saw more effectively. If you want to know more about the content after reading the above, you can get a comprehensive solution by contacting us.

As a manufacturer of multifunctional power tool accessories with many years of experience, MPRETOP is committed to providing customers with high-quality and safe products. We are equipped with a professional quality inspection system and a comprehensive management team to control all aspects from product manufacturing to export. At the same time, our thoughtful one-stop service has won praise and trust from many customers. If you want to buy our reciprocating saw blade, please contact us immediately!