DeWalt 6" 14 TPI Straight Back Bi-Metal Reciprocating Blade (2 pack)

Why I reached for this blade

My first test with this 6-inch, 14 TPI DeWalt metal-cutting blade was a quick trim on a run of 1-1/4-inch EMT conduit. The cut was clean, straight, and quick enough that I kept going—angle iron, threaded rod, and some stubborn galvanized pipe brackets that always seem to grab lesser blades. After a week of jobsite use and shop tinkering, I’ve got a solid sense of where this blade shines and where it’s just okay.

Build and design

This is a straight-back, 6-inch bi‑metal reciprocating saw blade with 14 teeth per inch. The profile is simple and purposeful: a 3/4-inch wide body that feels stable in the cut but still maneuverable for tight angles. The bi‑metal construction gives it the flex you want to survive a bind without snapping, while the tooth line holds an edge longer than plain carbon steel.

DeWalt’s tooth geometry is the quiet hero here. The gullets clear chips efficiently, and the anti‑stick coating cuts down on friction. On metals that like to smear and gum up—think galvanized or mild steel with adhesive residue—the coating made a noticeable difference. The blade heats up slower than uncoated options and keeps chips moving rather than packing into the teeth.

In-use performance

• Thin to medium stock: On thin-wall steel and electrical hardware, this blade is right at home. I could slice through 1-1/2-inch EMT in under 10 seconds using a compact recip saw at medium speed. Threaded rod up to 1/2 inch went fast and stayed clean without leaving burrs that shred gloves.
• Sheet metal and strapping: For HVAC work and sheet up to about 16 gauge, it cuts smoothly with minimal grabbing—especially if you keep the shoe planted and let the teeth feed themselves. A lighter touch helps avoid chatter.
• Angle iron and flats: It handles 1/8-inch angle iron with control. The 14 TPI pitch balances bite and smoothness well, but on thicker flats you’ll feel it slow down compared to a coarser or carbide-tooth blade.
• Stainless and harder alloys: It will do it, but slowly. The teeth hold up if you control heat—back off the speed, add a dab of cutting fluid if you have it—but this isn’t the blade I’d choose for repeated stainless cuts.
• Cast iron or heavy demolition: Not the intended lane. You’ll want a carbide-tooth blade for that.

Across the board, vibration control felt good. The straight-back design tracks cleanly, and the blade stiffness strikes a nice balance: not so thick that it fights curves on sheet metal, but not so thin that it whips in the cut. It’s a controllable blade, which matters when you’re trimming metal in tight spaces where a wandering cut will cost you time later.

Cutting speed and finish

Cut speed is respectable for a 14 TPI blade. The patented tooth geometry seems to earn its keep in two ways: it reduces the “hammering” effect you sometimes get when teeth slam into thin material, and it clears chips efficiently so you’re not plowing metal dust. The result is a smoother feed and a finish that doesn’t need much cleanup. On conduit and strut, I rarely had to dress the edge.

Durability and longevity

Bi‑metal blades live or die by two things: heat and tooth chipping. After a week of mixed cuts—EMT, unistrut, light angle iron, galvanized brackets, and a couple of automotive exhaust trims—the teeth still had a decent bite. I didn’t see major tooth loss, and the body took a couple of unavoidable binds without kinking.

That said, if you routinely cut thick section steel or stainless, you’ll shorten its life quickly. That’s physics, not a knock on the blade. For everyday light-to-medium steel tasks, I got the kind of life I expect from a quality bi‑metal—neither miraculous nor disappointing. The anti‑stick coating does help extend life by keeping heat down and the cut clean.

Where it shines

• Electrical and mechanical trades: EMT, rigid stubs, unistrut, bracketry, and hardware cutting all feel like the natural habitat for this blade.
• Automotive and metal fab: Exhaust pipe, mild steel tube, and general shop cuts where a smooth finish matters.
• Controlled cuts in tight spaces: The 6-inch length gives you enough reach without the flex you feel in longer blades.

Where it falls short

• Thick or abrasive metals: For frequent cuts in thicker plate, hardened fasteners, or cast iron, go carbide.
• Ultra-thin sheet: It can handle it, but a finer TPI (18–24) will give you less snag on very light-gauge material.
• Heavy demolition: The straight-back profile and fine pitch aren’t optimized for mixed-material demo with nails, wood, and unknowns.

Tips for best results

• Slow down on hard metals. Lower SPM and let the blade do the work to protect the teeth.
• Use cutting fluid or a touch of lubricant when you can—it pays off in longer life and cleaner cuts.
• Keep the shoe planted. It reduces vibration and extends tooth life.
• If you’re jumping between sheet and thicker stock, consider keeping a second finer blade and swapping as needed.

Value and pack size

Sold in a two-pack, this isn’t the bulk-buy option for full demo days, but it’s a smart add for a service bag or job box. For pros, that pack size makes sense: it’s a reliable go-to blade you’ll actually use rather than a handful that collect dust. For heavy daily cutting, I’d stock a multi-pack or mix in a carbide option for the gnarlier jobs and save these for the work they excel at.

Comparisons

• Versus carbide-tooth blades: Carbide wins on life and speed in thick or abrasive metals but costs more and can be overkill for light stock. This blade is a better fit for thin-wall steel where you want control and a clean finish.
• Versus higher-TPI bi‑metal: An 18 or 24 TPI blade will be smoother on ultra-thin sheet but slower on conduit and angle. The 14 TPI pitch is a versatile middle ground for general metal work.
• Versus heavy-duty demolition blades: Those are thicker, stiffer, and often coarser. They resist abuse but feel clumsy on delicate metal work. This blade’s controllability is the edge.

The bottom line

This 6-inch, 14 TPI DeWalt metal-cutting blade hits a sweet spot for everyday metal tasks: fast enough on conduit and strut, controllable on sheet, and durable enough to survive a week of real work without drama. The tooth geometry and anti‑stick coating aren’t marketing fluff—they translate into smoother feeds, less heat, and fewer moments where you’re stopping to clear packed chips.

It’s not the answer for everything. If your day involves cast iron, heavy stainless, or nonstop thick-section cuts, step up to carbide or a coarser pitch. And if you’re living on razor-thin sheet, keep a finer TPI blade nearby. But for the broad middle of metal work most trades encounter, this blade is reliable and predictable—the kind of tool you forget about because it just does its job.

Recommendation: I recommend this blade for electricians, HVAC techs, mechanics, and general contractors who cut primarily thin to medium-gauge steel and want a controllable, long-wearing bi‑metal option in a practical 6-inch length. It delivers clean, consistent results, and the design details—chip evacuation and low-friction coating—pay off in everyday use. Pair it with a carbide blade for heavy-duty tasks, and you’ll have your bases covered.