DeWalt Multi-Purpose Saw

Tight quarters are where this little DeWalt multi-purpose hand saw earns its keep. I’ve kept one in my everyday kit for over a year, and it’s the tool I grab when a powered reciprocating saw is overkill or there simply isn’t room. It’s essentially a compact, straight handle that accepts both reciprocating and hacksaw blades, with a beefy tension knob to clamp them in place. That simple formula turns into a lot of versatility on the jobsite.

Design and build

The handle is compact (about 285 mm long) and light (roughly 200 g), with a straight profile and a full bi‑material overmold. The grip is comfortable and grippy without being tacky, and it stays manageable with gloves. The black-and-yellow shell is rigid enough to inspire confidence without feeling brick‑like.

The standout is the blade interface. The tool clamps a standard reciprocating blade or a 10" hacksaw blade at a single end using a knurled tension nut. There’s no separate wrench required; loosening and tightening is fully tool‑free. The mechanism has enough bite that I never had a blade slip under normal hand‑saw loads. I do check the nut periodically during longer cuts—just like I would on a compact hacksaw frame—because vibration and torque can soften tension over time.

There’s no blade storage or sheath, and the handle doesn’t fold. This is very much a straight, ready‑to‑go grip that lives in a pouch or drawer.

Blade ecosystem and quick changes

Versatility hinges on blades, and this handle is happy with the common ones:

• Standard reciprocating saw blades (wood, metal, demo, specialty)
• Standard hacksaw blades (10" recommended)

The included set—a coarse 7 TPI recip blade and a 24 TPI 10" hacksaw blade—will get you moving, but they’re “starter kit” quality. They’ll cut, but they’re not the reason to buy the tool. The reason is that you can drop in any premium recip blade you already trust. A short 6" demolition blade turns the tool into a capable rough‑cut saw for wood and PVC; a 10–14 TPI bi‑metal blade handles composite and thin metals; a 24 TPI blade trims threaded rod or EMT cleanly. Swapping between them is fast, and the handle’s clamp doesn’t mar blade tangs.

Tip: Shorter blades (6"–9") flex less and are the better match for a single‑ended handle. Save those long, thin blades for powered saws.

In‑use performance

This tool shines in places a full frame hacksaw or recip saw won’t fit: behind a sink, tucked between joists, inside a cabinet, or under a vehicle. Across common materials:

• Wood and drywall: With a coarse recip blade, it rips through 2x stock, subfloor, and drywall quickly for rough cuts. This is not a finish saw—you’ll get tear‑out on plywood unless you switch to a finer blade and lighten your stroke.
• PVC and ABS: With an 8–10 TPI wood/plastic blade, it’s excellent for schedule‑40 up to 2". The small handle gives you control to avoid cracking fittings.
• Metal: The included 24 TPI hacksaw blade will cut EMT, threaded rod, and thin angle. For thicker stock, use a bi‑metal recip blade in the 14–18 TPI range and keep your strokes short and steady.

Because the blade is only supported at the handle end, technique matters. Reciprocating blades cut most cleanly on the pull stroke with this handle; pushing aggressively can bow the blade and walk your line. The hacksaw blade, being thinner, benefits from the same approach. I use a light forward pressure and let the teeth do the work on the backstroke. Once you adopt that rhythm, the saw tracks straight and feels much more rigid than you’d expect.

Compared to powered options, it’s obviously slower. But it’s quiet, requires no batteries, and gives you a surprising amount of finesse in tight spots.

Ergonomics and control

The grip is the right diameter for torque without fatigue. I appreciate the straight handle because it allows a neutral wrist in cramped orientations—overhead, upside down, or knuckles‑to‑the‑panel. The lack of a guard means you need to be mindful of your forward hand position; I keep my off‑hand well clear of the cut line and wear gloves when working sheet metal to avoid sharp edges.

Blade visibility is good. On drywall cutouts, I can “jab” in with a stout recip blade and steer arcs confidently. On conduit or threaded rod, I use shorter strokes and the front heel of the handle as a contact point for better control.

Durability

The handle has held up to being thrown into tool bags, dropped, and used as a knock‑around hand saw. The tension nut’s threads still feel crisp and haven’t cross‑threaded or seized. When I’ve had flex issues, they’ve almost always traced back to the blade selection or my stroke, not the handle itself. If you’re bending blades easily, switch to a shorter, stiffer blade or increase TPI and lean into a pull‑dominant technique.

A quick note on corrosion: wipes clean easily, and the overmold hasn’t lifted or split. The clamp face shows normal wear marks from blade tangs with no performance impact.

Where it excels

• Tight‑clearance cuts where a full frame hacksaw won’t fit
• Quick trim cuts in PVC and wood without firing up a recip saw
• Overhead and awkward angles where control matters more than speed
• Quiet work in occupied spaces

Where it falls short

• Long, straight cuts in sheet goods—use a proper saw for that
• Heavy push strokes against thick stock; the single‑ended clamp isn’t a substitute for a tensioned hacksaw frame
• Clean, finish‑grade cuts in plywood without careful blade choice and light pressure

Tips for best results

• Choose the right blade: coarse for wood/drywall/PVC, fine for metal; err shorter for rigidity.
• Favor the pull stroke: reduce push pressure to minimize buckling and wandering.
• Keep the nut tight: snug it firmly and recheck on longer cuts.
• Let the teeth work: lighter pressure with steady strokes cuts straighter and preserves blades.
• Carry a small selection: a 6" demolition blade, a 10–14 TPI bi‑metal, and a 24 TPI metal blade cover most needs.

Value and warranty

As a compact hand saw, it sits in the middle of the price range. You’re paying for versatility and compatibility more than for the included blades, which are merely adequate. The 1‑year limited warranty is standard for a hand tool of this type. Since it uses the blades you likely already stock for your recip saw, the ongoing cost is essentially zero beyond normal blade wear.

Alternatives and context

A compact frame hacksaw will tension a blade for stronger push strokes but won’t accept recip blades or reach into the same tight cavities. A folding jab saw is great for drywall but limited for metal. A one‑handed recip saw is faster but larger, louder, and not always welcome in finished spaces. The DeWalt multi‑purpose hand saw bridges those gaps: small like a jab saw, more versatile than a compact hacksaw, and quietly effective in places power tools struggle.

Bottom line

The DeWalt multi‑purpose hand saw is a smart, compact handle that turns the recip and hacksaw blades you already own into a go‑anywhere cutting solution. It rewards good technique—especially favoring the pull stroke—and benefits dramatically from upgrading to quality blades matched to your material. The handle is comfortable, the clamp is reliable, and the overall package is light enough to live in your everyday kit without a second thought.

Recommendation: I recommend it to anyone who regularly works in tight spaces—plumbers, electricians, remodelers, or DIYers tackling repairs under sinks or inside cabinets. It won’t replace a powered recip saw or a full frame hacksaw for heavy or long cuts, and the included blades aren’t the stars, but as a compact, quiet, and versatile problem‑solver, it earns its spot in the bag.