Reciprocating Saw Blade 2019 Test: Which Brand Wins?
In our 2019 test we compared 3 reciprocating saw blade options head to head. Lenox carbide thick metal blade came out on top. See the measured results, the runner-up, the budget pick, and a link to the full test video.
Lenox carbide thick metal blade
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Diablo carbide thick metal blade
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The quick take
The short version of why each pick lands where it does, built straight from the measured results.
“To me the Lenox really set apart itself from the competition today, winning a couple the showdowns, only getting beat by Diablo in the first test.”
Best in 2 of 5 measurements, including 3/16in mild steel speed test and Spring steel speed test.
Best in 1 of 5 measurements, including 1/2in mild steel speed test.
The measured results
Every number below is read straight from the test. Products are listed in the order they finished.
1/2in mild steel speed test
- 1Lenox carbide thick metal blade2nd place
(beaten only by Diablo); 8 TPI blade, tooth offset not nearly as aggressive as Milwaukee
- 2Diablo carbide thick metal blade1st place
per chapter title '54 seconds (new leader)', fastest of the three
- 3Milwaukee Torch carbide thick metal blade3rd
(last) place, per chapter title '98 seconds'; most aggressive blade design (8 TPI, most tooth offset) but slowest despite that
3/16in mild steel speed test
- 1Lenox carbide thick metal blade1st place
beat both Diablo and Milwaukee; no additional tooth damage noted
- 2Diablo carbide thick metal blade
beaten by Lenox; own placement vs Milwaukee not explicitly stated in narration
- 3Milwaukee Torch carbide thick metal blade
beaten by Lenox; own placement vs Diablo not explicitly stated in narration
Spring steel speed test (7/16in to 5/8in)
- 1Lenox carbide thick metal blade1st place
cut through in under 2 minutes, set itself apart from the competition; very little blade darkening from overheating
- 2Diablo carbide thick metal blade2nd place
about 2.5 minutes to cut through; very little blade darkening from overheating
- 3Milwaukee Torch carbide thick metal blade
did not finish, could not quite get through the spring steel; showed signs of overheating from getting stuck
Tooth damage after 1/2in steel test
- 1Lenox carbide thick metal blade3 teeth
damaged
- 2Diablo carbide thick metal blade2 teeth
damaged, least of the three blades
- 3Milwaukee Torch carbide thick metal blade6 teeth
damaged, most of the three blades
Tooth damage after spring steel test
- 1Lenox carbide thick metal blade10 teeth
damaged
- 2Diablo carbide thick metal blade10 teeth
damaged
- 3Milwaukee Torch carbide thick metal blade14 teeth
damaged, most of the three blades
How it was tested
- speed cutting 1/2in x 3in mild steel with a 12 amp sawzall, 20 lb jig weight
- speed cutting 3/16in mild steel pipe, 30 lb jig weight (about 20 lb effective on the steel)
- speed cutting spring steel from 7/16in to 5/8in thick
- tooth damage inspection after each round
“To me the Lenox really set apart itself from the competition today, winning a couple the showdowns, only getting beat by Diablo in the first test.”
