Skil PWR CORE 20 20V Reciprocating Saw Kit

Why I picked up the Skil 20V recip saw

I wanted a compact, go-anywhere cutter for everything from pruning and small demo to freeing up old fasteners. Corded saws are great for raw power, but dragging an extension cord through a yard or into a crawlspace gets old fast. The Skil 20V recip saw kit promised a 1-inch stroke, up to 3,000 strokes per minute, a tool-less blade clamp, and an included 2.0Ah battery and charger—all in a reasonably small footprint. After a few weeks of use across yard work and light remodeling, here’s how it stacked up.

Build and ergonomics

The Skil 20V recip saw feels appropriately sized for a 20V compact model. Balance with the 2.0Ah pack is good, and the grip shape lets me choke up for finer control or drop back for longer cuts. The exposed blade design gives a clear line of sight to the cut and lets me sneak the blade into tighter spaces than bulkier housings allow. That’s helpful for plunge cuts in drywall or shaving off old shims without chewing into adjacent material.

The adjustable pivoting shoe is straightforward: press, slide, click. It’s sturdy enough to lean into without wobble, and the ability to extend the shoe helps me use fresh teeth on a blade and prolong its life. There’s a small hex wrench stored in the handle groove for adjustments; it’s convenient to have on board, though the retention could be stronger—I had to reseat it a couple times after rattly jobs.

Speed, stroke, and cutting performance

On paper, you get a 1-inch stroke and a 0–3,000 SPM range via a variable-speed trigger. In practice, the saw finds a sweet spot in light-to-medium duty work:

• Wood and pruning: With a coarse tooth or pruning blade, the saw moves through 2–4 inch branches cleanly and without bogging. The variable trigger makes it easy to start without bouncing, and the shorter stroke compared with 1-1/8-inch “full-size” saws keeps vibration manageable for overhead cuts. For yard maintenance and storm clean-up, it’s a comfortable, confidence-inspiring tool.
• Construction lumber and nails: On 2x stock, the cut speed is respectable, especially with a fresh 6–9 TPI demolition blade. The exposed nose lets me get close to flush for cutting protruding nails or pipe stubs. It’s not a demolition monster, but it’s fully capable of trimming studs, cutting out drywall and plaster sections, and dealing with the inevitable embedded fasteners.
• Metal: With a fine-tooth bi-metal blade, the saw will slice EMT and copper pipe and nibble through angle iron, though you’ll want to let the teeth do the work and keep the SPM moderated. The 1-inch stroke is fine here, and I appreciated the controllability of the trigger to prevent tooth snag.

If you’re planning to do sustained heavy demolition—roof tear-outs, thick hardwood timbers, or nonstop metal cutting—you’ll notice the shorter stroke length and compact battery limit the pace. For the jobsite tradesperson, this is better as a nimble secondary saw than a primary demo tool.

Blade changes and control

Skil’s tool-less blade clamp is a bright spot. The lever has positive engagement, and blades lock in without slop. I swapped between pruning, demolition, and metal blades repeatedly without the clamp heating up or loosening. The design accepts both standard and reversed blade orientation, which is useful when you need the teeth facing up for flush cuts under a sill or shelf.

The variable-speed trigger has good modulation from very slow to full speed, and combined with the pivoting shoe, it makes finesse cuts easier than on many budget recip saws. The shoe’s adjustability isn’t just about depth control—it also lets me find the blade’s sweet spot in a cut to keep vibration in check.

LED light and visibility

The LED work light is well-placed and stays on for roughly ten seconds after releasing the trigger. That delay is more useful than it sounds when you’re repositioning in a crawlspace or tracing your next cut on a dark surface. The exposed blade design further helps visibility, and chips clear reasonably well.

Battery, charging, and runtime

The kit’s 2.0Ah PWR CORE 20 battery keeps the tool compact and light. For the kind of work this saw excels at—limbing and trimming, cut-outs in drywall, breaking down small lumber—it offers solid runtime. I typically got several dozen branch cuts or multiple short demo tasks on a charge.

Charging on the included 20V charger is what I’d expect for a compact pack: back to full in around an hour, give or take. Skil’s battery temperature management seems to help the pack avoid heat soak; I didn’t encounter thermal shutdowns even on a warm day with repeated cuts. That said, under heavy continuous load (think thick wet timber or lots of metal), the 2.0Ah pack drains quickly. If your projects lean toward prolonged cutting, a higher-capacity PWR CORE 20 battery is a worthwhile upgrade.

A note on ownership: the tool and battery carry different warranty terms, and like most kits, the battery’s coverage is shorter than the tool’s. It’s worth registering and reading the fine print so there are no surprises later.

Noise, vibration, and fatigue

No reciprocating saw is quiet. Hearing protection is a must, especially when cutting metal. Vibration is about average for a compact 20V saw. The shoe and stroke control help, but you’ll still feel it in the hands over extended sessions. I found it manageable for pruning and periodic demo. Compared to heavier pro models, the lighter weight reduces fatigue during overhead cuts, even if those bigger saws can chew faster.

What stood out

Pros:
- Compact, well-balanced body with good sightlines and an exposed blade nose for tight spaces
- Reliable tool-less blade clamp with reversible blade orientation
- Variable trigger and adjustable shoe provide better-than-expected cut control
- Useful LED with afterglow for dim work areas
- Practical kit: includes battery, charger, and a ready-to-use wood blade

Cons:
- 2.0Ah battery drains fast under heavy, continuous cutting
- Shorter 1-inch stroke isn’t as aggressive for big demolition
- Onboard hex wrench storage could be more secure
- Basic charger; not a rapid charger

Best uses and who it’s for

The Skil 20V recip saw is right at home with homeowners, DIYers, and project-focused pros who need a portable cutter for:

• Tree and shrub pruning with a proper pruning blade
• Bathroom or kitchen cut-outs in drywall, plaster, and studs
• Trimming PVC, copper, or EMT during small plumbing or electrical updates
• Breaking down pallets and construction debris
• Cutting protruding nails and fasteners during repairs

If your day involves tearing out a deck before lunch and a roof after, you’ll want a heavier-duty saw and larger batteries. If your work looks more like weekend projects, property upkeep, or occasional remodel tasks, this kit hits a comfortable balance of performance, size, and price.

Tips to get the most from it

• Build a small blade kit: a coarse wood/pruning blade, a 6–10 TPI demolition blade, and a fine-tooth metal blade will cover most tasks.
• Use the shoe: extend or retract it to keep fresh teeth in the cut and reduce chatter.
• Feather the trigger: especially in metal, a slower start prevents tooth snag and extends blade life.
• Consider a second, higher-capacity battery if you plan back-to-back tasks.

Recommendation

I recommend the Skil 20V recip saw for users who want a capable, compact cordless saw for general-purpose cutting without the bulk or price of pro-tier demolition tools. It’s easy to handle, the blade clamp is excellent, and the adjustable shoe and variable trigger make it more precise than many entry-level options. The included 2.0Ah battery keeps it nimble and charges quickly enough for typical homeowner jobs. Its limitations—a shorter stroke and modest runtime under heavy loads—are fair trade-offs for the size and value of the kit. Pair it with the right blades and, if needed, a higher-capacity battery, and you’ve got a versatile cutter that fits a wide range of everyday tasks.