2019 test3 productsBlades, Bits & Abrasives

Which Carbide Demolition Sawzall Blade Brand Wins?

A head-to-head test of 3 carbide demolition sawzall blade options with the measured results for each. See how they ranked and watch the full test video.

The verdict
Ranked first

Milwaukee Axe

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The measured results

Every number below is read straight from the test. Scroll sideways to see all measurements. Products are listed in the order they finished.

ProductTooth DesignNail And 2x 4 TestHardwood TestDrywall Screw TestCarbide Condition
1Milwaukee Axe5 tooth per inch (TPI) design; described as having the most aggressive tooth offset design of the threemost aggressive design, shredded the 2x4 as well as the nailstook 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'worst damage of the three, five different teeth had significant damagecarbide teeth still in good condition despite heat-blackened steel
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.cut through the board in only 6 seconds without shredding the 2x4 nearly as much as the Milwaukeetook the lead in the reversed-order fence post test; blade stayed smooth and free of the gooey paint buildup that slowed the other two bladestwo teeth had damage, described as a more aggressive blade design than the Lenoxcarbide teeth still in good condition despite heat-blackened steel
3Lenox6 TPI, described as the most conservative design of the three with a narrower blade offsetcame in last place; narrator was surprised given its less aggressive TPI; more blade pinch than Diablo or Milwaukeefinished third in the reversed-order fence post test, 'as expected because of the tooth design'; blade also got gummed up with gooey melted paint residuethe 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 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)

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