DeWalt 6" 6 TPI Taper Back Bi-Metal Reciprocating Blade for General Purpose Wood Cutting

I reach for a 6-inch, 6 TPI DeWalt wood blade a lot more often than I expected. In remodeling, demo, and weekend yard work, it’s become a reliable “default” for fast, general-purpose cuts where precision isn’t the priority and speed matters. After running it through framing lumber, nail-embedded 2x, old decking, and a stack of PVC, here’s where it shines—and where it doesn’t.

Design and build

This blade is a straightforward demolition-focused design: 6 inches long, 6 TPI, bi-metal construction, and a tapered back. The tooth line is aggressive thanks to a 6° hook angle, and the raker tooth pattern increases tooth contact so it bites a little wider and tracks straighter than some economy blades. The anti-stick coating is more than marketing—it noticeably sheds pitch and dust, which keeps the cut moving and heat down in sap-heavy lumber and wet branches.

Being bi-metal, it’s flexible enough to resist snapping under torsion, but it won’t outlast premium carbide options in extreme nail encounters. For general wood and occasional nails, though, the balance of speed and durability is solid.

Cutting performance in wood

At 6 TPI, this is a fast-cutting, rough-finish blade. In 2x SPF and treated lumber, it chews through quickly with a predictable feed. The 6° hook pulls into the cut, so you don’t need to lean on the saw. I found orbital mode (if your saw has it) complements the tooth geometry nicely—chips clear well and the blade keeps moving rather than rubbing.

The tapered back helps in plunge cuts and tight angles around studs or joists. It’s easier to control than a thicker, straight-back demo blade when you need to start a cut in a flat surface—like opening drywall to chase a stud or cutting out a subfloor section around a flange.

As you’d expect from 6 TPI, tear-out is notable on plywood faces and trim stock. This is not a finish blade. If you need cleaner edges on plywood, step up in TPI or scribe/cut from the back.

Nails and general demolition

This blade is designed to survive the occasional fastener and does so reasonably well. I ran it through framing with a sprinkling of old sinkers and a few drywall screws. The reinforced tooth geometry keeps the set from folding at the first hit, which is where cheap blades die. After several hits, the teeth get a little rounded and speed drops, but the blade stays straight and usable, which matters when you still have an afternoon of cuts left.

In heavy demo where you’re constantly riding through dense nail clusters or hidden hangers, a carbide-toothed demolition blade still beats it for life. But for mixed-material teardown—cutting out sections of a stud wall, trimming back deck boards with the odd screw—the DeWalt holds up well enough that I didn’t feel like I was swapping blades every five minutes.

Pruning and outdoor work

The 6-inch length is a sweet spot for yard tasks. Compared to a 9-inch pruning blade, this shorter blade doesn’t whip as much and doesn’t swing into adjacent branches when you’re working in a congested canopy. On limbs in the 2–4 inch range, feed is quick and predictable. The anti-stick coating pays off here—pitch and sap don’t gum it up as badly, so you spend less time wiping down the blade.

If you frequently prune larger limbs where you need the extra reach to get past bark flare or to undercut safely, a 9-inch blade still has its place. But for most homeowner pruning and cleanup, the 6-inch blade is more controllable and less likely to inadvertently nick surrounding branches.

PVC and other non-ferrous materials

On schedule 40 PVC and ABS, the blade cuts fast and sheds chips rather than melting plastic against the tooth line. Keep your saw speed moderate—full trigger in thin pipe can start to chatter. The raker pattern helps stabilize the cut, which makes it easier to keep cuts square on drain lines. On thin metal, this isn’t the right blade. You’ll get through sheet metal in a pinch, but the tooth profile is too coarse to be efficient or kind to the edge.

Control, comfort, and finish quality

Aggressive blades can be grabby. With this one, the hook angle and coarse tooth count mean you need a steady hand at the start of a cut. Let the shoe rest firmly and feather the trigger until the blade establishes a kerf. Once engaged, it tracks straight and controllable. Vibration is about average for a bi-metal demo blade—no worse than comparable options from Lenox or Milwaukee in this class.

Expect a rough surface finish on dimensional lumber and significant splintering on plywood faces, especially across grain. That’s the nature of a 6 TPI demolition-style tooth profile. If your project demands cleaner cuts, you’ll want a finer-tooth option.

Durability and value

In typical remodel work—cutting out studs, trimming subfloor, and the odd nail—the blade’s life is respectable. The anti-stick coating slows heat buildup, and the raker design helps maintain speed as teeth dull. It will not match carbide-tooth demo blades for lifespan in nail-heavy material, but it also doesn’t cost as much. In a multi-pack, the cost per blade makes sense for contractors and heavy DIY users. I appreciated that I could just grab a fresh one when speed fell off and keep moving rather than nursing a dull blade through the last cuts of the day.

One small note: these blades are often sold in multi-piece packs, commonly 25-count. Make sure you’re getting the quantity you expect when you order—DeWalt sells singles and assorted packs under similar listings.

Choosing the 6-inch length

Length is more than reach. The 6-inch blade is easier to control in tight framing, reduces flex, and keeps you from accidentally hitting material behind your cut. It’s also simpler to plunge because there’s less unsupported length to whip around. If you’re cutting deeper cavities, resawing thicker stock, or need to clear insulation and sheathing to reach a buried fastener, 9-inch blades still matter. I keep both sizes on hand; this 6-inch lives on the saw for most day-to-day tasks.

Tips for best results

• Use orbital action for faster wood cuts and chip ejection.
• Start cuts with a light touch; let the hook angle pull the blade in rather than forcing it.
• Support the work to reduce pinching and vibration.
• In nail-embedded wood, keep the stroke steady—don’t pulse the trigger—which helps teeth survive impacts.
• For PVC, slow the speed slightly to avoid chatter and maintain a clean, square cut.
• Pause between long cuts to let the blade cool; heat is a silent blade killer.

Pros

• Fast cutting in wood thanks to 6 TPI and 6° hook angle
• Handles occasional nails without folding teeth
• Tapered back aids plunge cuts and maneuverability
• Anti-stick coating reduces gum-up in pitchy lumber and on green wood
• Good control and reduced whip compared to longer blades
• Strong value in multi-pack

Cons

• Rough finish; not suitable for clean-edge work
• Life drops quickly in nail-dense demo compared to carbide blades
• Limited reach on thicker stock versus 9-inch blades
• Too coarse for thin metals and can chatter on small-diameter PVC if oversped

Recommendation

I recommend this DeWalt 6-inch wood blade as a go-to for general-purpose cutting, light-to-moderate demolition, and yard cleanup. It’s quick in framing lumber, tough enough to shrug off the occasional nail, and easier to control than longer pruning or demo blades in tight spaces. If your work routinely involves metal or nail-heavy tear-outs, step up to carbide-tooth blades for longevity. But for most carpentry and maintenance tasks, stocking a multi-pack of these blades is a practical, cost-effective choice that keeps the saw moving and the job on schedule.