Which Carbide Demolition Sawzall Blade Brand Wins?
This head-to-head test of 3 carbide demolition sawzall blade options has the measured results for each. See how they ranked and watch the full test video.
Milwaukee Axe
Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
The measured results
Every number below is read straight from the test. Products are listed in the order they finished.
Tooth Design
- 1Milwaukee Axe5 tooth
per inch (TPI) design; described as having the most aggressive tooth offset design of the three
- 2Diablo5 teeth
per inch at the base and 5 teeth per inch through the main part of the blade; less tooth offset than the Milwaukee Axe. Meta chapter title lists '7 TPI at the base' for this segment, which conflicts with the narrated 5 TPI figure; kept both, flagged as unresolved.
- 3Lenox6
TPI, described as the most conservative design of the three with a narrower blade offset
Nail And 2 X 4 Test
- 1Milwaukee Axe
most aggressive design, shredded the 2x4 as well as the nails
- 2Diablo
cut through the board in only 6 seconds without shredding the 2x4 nearly as much as the Milwaukee
- 3Lenox
came in last place; narrator was surprised given its less aggressive TPI; more blade pinch than Diablo or Milwaukee
Hardwood Test
- 1Milwaukee Axe
took second place behind Diablo in the reversed-order fence post test; blade got gummed up with gooey melted paint residue from the old fence post, which the narrator says likely cost it the win: 'I think that Milwaukee would have won this competition had it not been for the paint'
- 2Diablo
took the lead in the reversed-order fence post test; blade stayed smooth and free of the gooey paint buildup that slowed the other two blades
- 3Lenox
finished third in the reversed-order fence post test, 'as expected because of the tooth design'; blade also got gummed up with gooey melted paint residue
Drywall Screw Test
- 1Milwaukee Axe
worst damage of the three, five different teeth had significant damage
- 2Diablo
two teeth had damage, described as a more aggressive blade design than the Lenox
- 3Lenox
the conservative blade design 'came in very handy' and prevented significant damage from the drywall screws; best of the three. Meta chapter title for this segment of the video reads 'Lenox: 9 seconds' (a time figure not spoken aloud in the transcript; kept as chapter-sourced data, not independently verified by narration).
Carbide Condition
- 1Milwaukee Axe
carbide teeth still in good condition despite heat-blackened steel
- 2Diablo
carbide teeth still in good condition despite heat-blackened steel
- 3Lenox
carbide teeth still in good condition despite heat-blackened steel
How it was tested
- nail and pressure-treated 2x4 cutting test (3/16 finishing nails and 16-penny nails, 20 lb load jig, 12 amp Sawzall with 1 1/8 in stroke)
- hardwood fence post cutting test (50 to 60 year old hedge apple / Osage Orange post, each blade cut twice in reversed order, scores averaged due to inconsistent wood quality and old paint buildup)
- drywall screw damage test (2x4 with 3 drywall screws embedded)
