Black & Decker Electric Hand Saw With Storage Bag

Why I reached for this compact corded hand saw

A weekend of clearing shrubs and tackling a few small fixes around the house had me looking for something nimbler than a chainsaw and more capable than a manual pruning saw. The Black & Decker hand saw hit that middle ground: a compact, corded reciprocating saw designed for straight cuts in wood, plastic, and non‑ferrous metals. It’s not a demolition Sawzall and it’s not a finish saw—it’s a powered handsaw. Used that way, it’s surprisingly effective.

At 5.7 pounds, it’s easy to manage overhead or at awkward angles, and the footprint is small enough to maneuver around branches and tight corners. Because it’s corded, there’s no battery to worry about, and the motor runs at a steady clip for longer sessions. I used it for pruning, slicing PVC, trimming some plywood backer, and cutting an aluminum downspout, and it proved to be a practical, no‑drama tool for light to medium duty jobs.

Design and handling

The form factor is straightforward: a compact body with a forward hand support and a rear handle. The balance is decent; it doesn’t feel nose‑heavy, so you can guide the cut instead of wrestling the tool. The 3.4‑amp motor drives the blade at a lively 4,600 strokes per minute, which keeps cuts moving without needing to lean your body weight into the work.

Vibration is present—as with any reciprocating mechanism—but it’s controlled enough that I could make multiple cuts in 2x stock and branches without hand fatigue. The housing doesn’t get uncomfortably warm during continuous use, and the trigger is well placed for a natural grip. I appreciate that it remains compact and relatively quiet compared to a circular saw or chainsaw, especially when working around the yard on a Sunday morning.

The included storage bag is more than an afterthought. It actually fits the saw, the cord, and several spare blades with room to spare. It’s not rigid, but it keeps the kit together and the cord from tangling with other tools.

Power and cutting performance

Within its design intent, this saw punches above its weight. Black & Decker rates it for straight cuts up to 4 inches in soft wood and plastic, and up to 4-7/8 inches in non‑ferrous metal. In practice:

• Wood: With a proper wood‑cutting blade installed, it chewed through green branches and dry 2x material cleanly. On branches in the 3–4 inch range, it tracked straight and didn’t bog if I let the blade do the work. In dense hardwood beyond that, the cut rate slows and you risk wandering—this is a “steady and controlled” tool, not a brute force option.

• Plastic: PVC and ABS pipe cut very cleanly. The high stroke rate helps prevent melting, and cuts were square when I supported the pipe and let the saw settle into the cut. For indoor work, the lack of excessive chips and the manageable noise are welcome.

• Metal: The saw ships with a 9.4‑inch metal‑cutting blade. On non‑ferrous materials like aluminum gutter, copper pipe, and light angle stock, it was effective and predictable. I kept feeds light and let the blade clear chips; that approach minimized chatter and delivered decent edge quality. I would not reach for this on thick steel—while the spec mentions non‑ferrous metals, a dedicated recip saw with the right blade is a better match for heavy steel work.

The key to good performance is blade selection. The included blade is fine to get started on metal, but if wood is your primary target, buy a wood‑specific blade right away. It noticeably improves speed and control in lumber and branches.

Blade changes and the learning curve

This model uses a tool‑free blade change that locks the blade onto a peg. There’s a small learning curve: the latch needs to be pulled fully open, the blade’s mounting hole has to seat squarely on the pin, and then the latch snaps back to secure it. The first time I swapped blades, I had to slow down and deliberately line things up; rushing led to a partial engagement that didn’t feel secure.

My tips after a few changes:
- Open the latch fully and keep it open until the blade is fully seated.
- Make sure the blade hole is flat against the mount—no tilt.
- After releasing the latch, give the blade a firm tug to confirm it’s locked.
- Keep the mounting area clean; debris can prevent full seating.

Once I got the sequence down, changes were quick and didn’t require tools. Just note that only one metal‑cutting blade is included out of the box, so plan on buying a wood blade to match your tasks.

Cut quality and control

This saw is designed for straight cuts, and it does that well when you set up the work. Clamp the material, draw a line, and guide the saw with even pressure; it tracks predictably. It’s not for curves or intricate profiles, and it doesn’t have a fence system for precision joinery. Think pruning, rough dimensioning, cutting down long plastic pipe to length, and trimming sheet goods where you’ll finish the edge later.

For yard work, the manageable size makes it easy to get between branches and nibble your way through without overcutting. It’s also handy for trimming plywood in place where a circular saw won’t fit or when you want to avoid the dust and noise of a bigger saw. Keep the shoe in contact with the work to stabilize the blade and reduce chatter.

Noise, vibration, and user comfort

Noise levels are reasonable for a reciprocating tool. Ear protection is always smart, but this is quieter than a circular saw or chain saw by a wide margin. Vibration is noticeable yet controlled; wearing gloves helps on longer sessions. The 5.7‑pound weight strikes a good balance—light enough to maneuver one‑handed in a pinch, but I preferred a two‑handed grip for accuracy and comfort.

Because it’s corded, plan for an outdoor‑rated extension cord and strain relief so you’re not fighting the cable mid‑cut. The upside is uninterrupted runtime and full power at all times.

Durability, support, and maintenance

Over several sessions, the tool has shown no signs of looseness or overheating. As with any reciprocating saw, most of the wear happens at the blade. Keep spare blades on hand and match tooth count to material. A quick wipe‑down after yard work keeps debris out of the mechanism.

Black & Decker backs it with a 2‑year limited warranty. That’s appropriate for a homeowner‑grade tool and aligns with my expectations for occasional to moderate use. I’d avoid pushing it into heavy demolition or thick hardwood day after day—that’s not what it’s built for.

What I liked

• Compact, easy‑to‑control size that’s great for pruning and small cuts
• Steady, corded power with a high 4,600 SPM stroke rate
• Respectable performance in wood, plastic, and non‑ferrous metals
• Tool‑free blade change once you learn the motion
• Useful storage bag that keeps the kit organized

What could be better

• Only a metal‑cutting blade is included; a wood blade should ship with it
• Blade latch has a minor learning curve and requires deliberate alignment
• Not suited for heavy steel or aggressive demolition
• Straight‑cut focus means no finesse for curves or finish work
• Cord management is always a consideration compared to cordless options

Recommendation

I recommend the Black & Decker hand saw for homeowners and DIYers who want a light, corded cutting tool for yard maintenance and general household tasks. It’s compact, approachable, and capable on branches, PVC, and non‑ferrous metal, with enough power to be useful without being intimidating. Buy a wood blade alongside it, take five minutes to learn the blade change, and you’ll have a reliable go‑to for pruning, small straight cuts, and quick material sizing where a full‑size recip or circular saw is overkill. If you need heavy‑duty demolition performance or frequent steel cutting, look elsewhere; for everyday tasks, this hits a very practical sweet spot.