DeWalt Reciprocating Saw

Why I reached for this recip saw

I first picked up the DC385 for a small deck repair and ended up keeping it in the truck for just about everything that didn’t warrant a circular saw. It’s a straightforward, 18V cordless recip saw with the right basics: a variable-speed trigger, 1-1/8 inch stroke, up to 3,000 SPM, and a four-position blade clamp. It doesn’t try to be clever. Instead, it focuses on control, visibility, and quick blade swaps—all the things that matter when you’re halfway through a cut and the material or situation changes on you.

Setup and first impressions

I used both the tool-only version (with my existing 18V packs) and the kit with the one-hour charger and XRP battery. The battery slides in cleanly, the trigger lock is easy to hit without being easy to bump, and the anti-slip grip does its job even with sweaty or gloved hands. Weight-wise, the bare tool is moderate; once you add a battery, it’s on the heavier side for its class and era, which you notice during extended overhead cuts.

The shoe is worth mentioning. It pivots smoothly, has an open top that genuinely improves sightlines, and adjusts quickly without tools. That open top sounds like a small thing, but being able to see your line and the blade in the same glance reduces wandering, especially on plunge cuts.

Cutting performance in wood and demolition

With a 6–10 TPI demolition blade, the DC385 handles framing lumber and nail-laden stock with no drama. The 1-1/8 inch stroke is right in the sweet spot for a cordless recip saw, and the 0–3,000 SPM range means you can feather the trigger to get the blade started cleanly before ramping up. I used it to cut out a rotted rim joist, notch a treated post, and flush cut shims and protruding nails. It’s not the fastest-cutting recip saw on the market today, but its consistency stands out: it doesn’t bog easily if you let the shoe do the work and keep steady pressure.

Plunge cuts into plywood and drywall are predictable. The nose doesn’t pogo when you ease into a cut, and the trigger modulation is linear enough that you can start slow, let the teeth bite, and only then climb to full speed. In demo scenarios—removing an old door jamb, trimming back subfloor along a wall—the four-position clamp is a real asset. Turning the blade ninety degrees helps you stay flat to a surface or get into tight corners without contorting your wrists.

Metal and mixed materials

On EMT conduit and 16–18 gauge angle, the saw is happiest with 14–18 TPI bi-metal blades, and it benefits from a slow start to avoid chattering. The electrical brake is a plus when you’re making short cuts or working around fasteners; the blade stops quickly, which keeps it from skipping when you reengage. For the ubiquitous “wood-with-nails” situation, a demolition blade kept the cut moving without burning up. It’s not a metal specialist, but it’s perfectly serviceable for everyday shop and jobsite metal cuts.

Control, visibility, and the shoe

Two things make this saw easier to live with than many older 18V recip saws:

• The variable-speed trigger is genuinely usable across the full range, not just “off” and “fast.”
• The pivoting, open-top shoe improves contact and sightlines, especially when you’re flush cutting along flooring or siding.

The shoe adjustment is quick, letting you bring fresh teeth into play if you’ve dulled the front of a blade. And the four-position clamp is more than a bullet point; horizontal blade orientation helped me make clean, low-profile cuts under a sill plate and along a fence post.

Blade changes and clamp mechanism

DeWalt’s lever-action, keyless clamp is one of the better designs from this generation. With gloves on, I could pop a hot blade out and lock a new one in without fishing around. Positive engagement is obvious—you can feel when the tang seats—and I never had a blade back out under load. The fact that you can rotate the blade into four positions expands what you can do in tight spaces and during flush cuts.

Battery and runtime

On a healthy 18V XRP pack, runtime is what I expect from an 18V recip saw: enough for a modest bath demo, a round of fence repairs, or an afternoon of pruning with a coarse-tooth blade. For heavier demo or all-day work, plan on a spare battery or two. The one-hour charger in the kit keeps things moving between tasks, but if you’re constantly cutting thick stock or metal, you’ll cycle batteries. That’s normal for this class and voltage, and the saw doesn’t feel power-starved; it just reminds you it’s drawing from an 18V system rather than today’s high-output packs.

Ergonomics, weight, and vibration

The trade-off with the DC385 is mass. With a battery, it’s no featherweight, and you’ll feel it during overhead or extended one-handed cuts. Vibration is controlled well enough for a traditional recip saw without fancy counterbalance, but it’s not as calm as newer brushless models with tuned anti-vibe. After a long session, your hands will know you were cutting—particularly in metal. On the flip side, the weight does help keep the blade planted when you keep the shoe engaged, which improves cut quality.

Durability and maintenance

This saw is more “jobsite-sturdy” than “refined.” The shoe pivot remains tight, the clamp holds up, and the housing takes scuffs without complaint. Keep the clamp area clean of debris and oil the blade shank occasionally; it rewards basic care with reliable service. Nothing about it feels delicate.

What it’s missing

By modern standards, the DC385 lacks a few conveniences:

• No built-in LED light
• No rafter hook
• No orbital action for faster wood cutting
• Heavier than newer brushless competitors

None of these are deal-breakers, but they’re worth knowing if you’re expecting current-gen bells and whistles.

Use cases where it shines

• Remodel and repair: Cutting out studs, subfloor trimming, plumbing cut-ins, and general demo.
• Exterior work: Fence and deck maintenance, pruning with a dedicated coarse-tooth blade.
• Flush cutting and awkward angles: The four-position clamp really earns its keep here.
• Backup/secondary saw: Lives happily in a truck box for those times a circular saw is overkill.

Blade choice is half the battle. Keep a small set—coarse demolition, general-purpose wood, bi-metal metal, and a pruning blade—and this saw covers a lot of ground.

Who should consider it

• Anyone already invested in DeWalt’s 18V platform who wants a dependable recip saw without buying into a new battery line.
• DIYers and tradespeople who prioritize straightforward control and fast blade changes over the latest features.
• Crews that need a durable secondary saw for demo and service work.

If you’re building a fresh kit and are sensitive to weight or want the calmest cutting experience, a modern brushless recip saw on a higher-output platform will feel faster and smoother. But it’ll also cost more and may lock you into a different battery ecosystem.

Recommendation

I recommend the DC385 for users who value reliability, control, and versatility in a proven 18V package—and especially for those already on DeWalt’s 18V batteries. It cuts predictably, the variable-speed trigger is genuinely useful, the four-position clamp adds real-world flexibility, and tool-free blade swaps reduce downtime. Its downsides are clear: it’s on the heavy side, it lacks some modern conveniences, and vibration isn’t class-leading. If you need the lightest, fastest, most refined recip saw, look to a newer brushless model. But if you want a tough, no-nonsense saw that handles demo, repair, and yard cleanup without fuss—and you’ve got the batteries—the DC385 earns its spot in the kit.