2019 test3 productsBlades, Bits & Abrasives
Which Reciprocating Saw Blade Brand Wins?
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.
Winner
Lenox carbide thick metal blade
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Runner-up
Diablo carbide thick metal blade
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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.
| Product | 1/2in mild steel speed test | 3/16in mild steel speed test | Spring steel speed test (7/16in to 5/8in) | Tooth damage after 1/2in steel test | Tooth damage after spring steel test |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Lenox carbide thick metal blade | 2nd place (beaten only by Diablo); 8 TPI blade, tooth offset not nearly as aggressive as Milwaukee | 1st place, beat both Diablo and Milwaukee; no additional tooth damage noted | 1st place, cut through in under 2 minutes, set itself apart from the competition; very little blade darkening from overheating | 3 teeth damaged | 10 teeth damaged |
| 2Diablo carbide thick metal blade | 1st place, per chapter title '54 seconds (new leader)', fastest of the three | beaten by Lenox; own placement vs Milwaukee not explicitly stated in narration | 2nd place, about 2.5 minutes to cut through; very little blade darkening from overheating | 2 teeth damaged, least of the three blades | 10 teeth damaged |
| 3Milwaukee Torch carbide thick metal blade | 3rd (last) place, per chapter title '98 seconds'; most aggressive blade design (8 TPI, most tooth offset) but slowest despite that | beaten by Lenox; own placement vs Diablo not explicitly stated in narration | did not finish, could not quite get through the spring steel; showed signs of overheating from getting stuck | 6 teeth damaged, most of the three blades | 14 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.”