DeWalt 6 in. 24 TPI Straight Back Bi-Metal Reciprocating Blade (2-Pack)

Metal-cutting with a recip saw is unforgiving: teeth overheat, thin stock chatters, and cheap blades skid more than they slice. I’ve been testing the DeWalt 24 TPI metal blade in the 6-inch length, and it’s become my go-to for thin-gauge steel and nonferrous trim. It’s not a do-everything blade, but within its lane it’s efficient, predictable, and tougher than most budget options.

Design and build

This is a straight-back, 6-inch bi-metal blade with 24 teeth per inch. The bi-metal body uses a Matrix II steel with roughly 8% cobalt in the tooth edge. That combination matters: cobalt helps resist softening at elevated temperatures, and the bi-metal weld gives the body some flex without snapping under side load. At 3/4 inch wide, the blade feels rigid enough for clean tracking but not so bulky that it fights you in tight cuts.

A couple of small design choices pay off in use. The raker-style tooth pattern reduces the “grabbing” you often get on thin sheet, and the hook angle is aggressive enough to keep the cut moving without feeling twitchy. DeWalt applies an anti-stick coating, which sounds like marketing fluff, but I did see less pitch and adhesive build-up when cutting painted trim and flashing. The tang fits standard recip saws cleanly, and I had no issues with wobble or slop at the shank. It’s made in the USA, if that factors into your buying decisions.

Note: this is a 2-pack. If you burn through metal blades daily, you’ll want a bigger pack for value. For service calls or occasional shop use, two blades is perfectly sensible.

Cutting performance on metal

Where this blade shines is thin stock. I ran it through:

• 1/2-inch and 3/4-inch EMT conduit (typical 16–18 gauge)
• Galvanized sheet and roof flashing
• 1/2-inch copper tubing
• 1/4-inch threaded rod
• Light-gauge steel trim

On EMT, the DeWalt 24 TPI metal blade starts smoothly with very little chatter, especially if you keep the shoe planted and begin with short strokes. Cuts are quick and controlled, with a narrow kerf and modest burrs that clean up easily with a file. On copper and aluminum trim, the blade stays quiet and doesn’t grab—even when you’re cutting from awkward angles where maintaining shoe contact is tough.

Threaded rod is a good test of tooth integrity because it’s easy to round off teeth if you rush. Using moderate speed and steady pressure, I got crisp cuts without visible tooth deformation after multiple sections. On thin galvanized sheet, the raker geometry pays off again: it feeds without the “click-grab-click” cadence that plagues coarse blades.

If you move into thicker steel—say flat bar around 1/4 inch—the 24 TPI tooth count still works, but it slows down and builds heat faster. This blade will do it in a pinch; just know you’re outside its comfort zone. You’ll get better speed and life from a 14–18 TPI blade on heavier stock.

Vibration, heat, and cut quality

Compared to generic high-carbon blades, vibration is noticeably lower with the DeWalt 24 TPI metal blade. Some of that is the raker tooth pattern; some is the stiffer straight-back profile. Either way, it translates into cleaner starts and less hand fatigue in repeated cuts. Heat is well managed for thin metals—the teeth stay sharp longer if you keep the saw at a mid-range speed rather than maxing it out. When I intentionally ran it hot on thicker bar, it still held together, but tooth edge fade shows up faster (as you’d expect).

The anti-stick coating seems to reduce friction and galling on painted and taped surfaces. It won’t perform miracles on gummy mastics, but it does buy you a little more smoothness before paste builds on the teeth.

Versatility beyond metal

Could you use this blade on wood? Yes, but it’s not where it excels. In 2x stock and nail-embedded trim, it’ll make the cut, just slowly. The 24 TPI spacing produces a clean edge with minimal tear-out, but you pay for that with speed. If your day alternates between nails and lumber, you’d be happier with a 6–10 TPI bi-metal demolition blade and keep this metal blade for the thin stuff.

In demolition, the 6-inch length is nimble and easier to control than a 9-inch blade when you’re close to finishes or inside cabinets. For reach or plunge cuts behind studs, the shorter length is limiting. That’s not a flaw so much as a design choice—this blade isn’t meant to be a demolition workhorse.

Durability and value

Blade life is always contextual—saw power, speed setting, material, and user patience all matter. Within its intended range (thin steel, aluminum, copper), I’m impressed. I made repeated cuts in EMT and trim without rounding the teeth, and the body resisted kinking when I accidentally bound the blade mid-cut. Compared head-to-head with bargain HCS or low-end bi-metal blades, this DeWalt holds a sharper edge longer and is much less prone to snapping at the tang.

As a 2-pack, the per-blade cost is higher than larger contractor packs. For tradespeople cutting metal daily, I’d buy a 5–10 pack of a similar blade to reduce cost per unit. For homeowners, maintenance techs, or anyone who needs reliable metal-cutting occasionally, two blades is a practical, low-waste purchase.

Tips to get the best from it

• Turn off orbital action for metal. Straight reciprocation gives smoother, cooler cuts.
• Run a moderate speed. Fast strokes generate heat that shortens tooth life on thin material.
• Keep the shoe tight to the work to minimize chatter and tooth strike.
• Start with short strokes to score the cut line, then extend to full strokes.
• A dab of cutting oil on thicker steel reduces heat and helps chips clear.
• Let the blade do the work—too much pressure strips teeth on thin stock.

What I didn’t love

• Limited reach: 6 inches is great for control, not for deep or behind-the-stud cuts.
• Slow in wood: it’ll manage nail-embedded lumber, but it’s not efficient there.
• Thick steel is a slog: over roughly 1/8 inch, you’re better served by a lower TPI blade.
• Pack value: the 2-pack is convenient, but heavy users will find better per-blade pricing in larger packs.

None of these are deal-breakers; they’re more about selecting the right tool for the task.

Bottom line

The DeWalt 24 TPI metal blade is a purpose-built, thin-metal specialist. Its bi-metal construction with cobalt, raker tooth pattern, and anti-stick coating add up to smoother starts, lower vibration, and better tooth life than the bargain blades that tend to chatter and dull prematurely. It fits any standard recip saw, is made in the USA, and comes in a convenient 2-pack.

I recommend this blade for electricians, HVAC techs, maintenance crews, and DIYers who routinely cut conduit, sheet metal, trim, or small-diameter tubing. If your work leans toward heavy demolition or frequent cuts in thick steel, pair it with a coarser blade in the 10–18 TPI range and a longer length. Used within its design envelope, this DeWalt is reliable, predictable, and cost-effective. That’s exactly what a metal-cutting recip blade should be.