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

A compact metal-cutting blade that punches above its weight

I first slipped the DeWalt 14 TPI metal-cutting blade into my recip saw on a service call where space was tight and time was short—cutting down some unistrut and pulling back a run of 1/2-inch EMT. I’m used to broader “demolition” blades for heavy steel, but the straight-back, 6-inch profile and 3/4-inch width on this one immediately felt more nimble. It’s a blade built for controlled, everyday metal cuts rather than brute-force demolition, and in that space it does a lot right.

Design and build

This is a bi-metal blade with a straight-back profile, 6 inches long and 3/4 inch wide, set up at 14 TPI. The bi-metal construction gives it the flexibility to ride through binds without snapping, and it takes a bend without immediately kinking. The tooth geometry clearly has a more aggressive rake than some general-purpose blades—I could feel it bite faster on the start of a cut—and the chip evacuation is good enough that I wasn’t constantly feathering the trigger to clear swarf. DeWalt coats the blade to reduce friction, and while you’ll still see heat discoloration on heavy cuts, the coating does help keep galvanizing and light aluminum from gumming up the teeth.

Fit-wise, the tang engaged solidly with both my 15-amp corded saw and an 18V brushless model. There’s no slop at the shank, and the blade tracks true if you’re mindful of feed pressure. It’s made in the USA with global materials, and the finish and tooth consistency back that up.

Performance across common jobsite metals

I put the blade through what I consider typical tasks for this TPI: thin to medium-gauge steel, light structural shapes, threaded rod, and common piping. All cuts were done mostly dry, with a quick spritz of cutting wax on longer passes to help with heat.

• 1/2-inch EMT conduit (thin-wall): The blade sails through EMT. With a 1-1/8-inch stroke saw at about 50–70% speed, I was averaging 5–6 seconds per cut with minimal vibration. Start-up is controlled; the teeth grab without skating if you ease into the work.
• 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch zinc-coated threaded rod: Excellent. I was consistently in the 3–4 second range for 3/8-inch and 5–7 seconds for 1/2-inch, with clean ends that didn’t require much dressing.
• 1-1/2 x 1-1/2 x 1/8-inch angle iron: On the leg, 12–15 seconds per cut. The blade maintains a straight line if you keep the shoe planted. Chip clearing stayed good even as the cut deepened.
• 1-inch black iron pipe (schedule 40): Respectable for a 14 TPI. I logged 18–25 seconds per cut depending on how square I could hold the shoe. Here the blade’s narrower back is a trade-off: it negotiates the curve easily but flexes a touch more than a 1-inch-wide demolition blade.
• 304 stainless sheet (16–18 gauge): Reasonable control at lower speed with light feed pressure. It’ll do the job, but this is where a higher TPI blade (18–24) will give you cleaner edges and longer life.

The standout is predictability. The toothform keeps multiple teeth engaged and seems to resist “hooking” when you hit inconsistent wall thicknesses or welds. I noticed fewer chatter marks on angle iron than with some bargain bi-metal blades.

Speed versus control

A 14 TPI is a middle-of-the-road choice for metal, and that’s the point. It’s fast enough on conduit and rod, still workable on angle and pipe, and won’t shred thin sheet the way a 10–12 TPI can. If you live in 1/4-inch plate and heavier, you’ll want a coarser tooth count or a thicker, wider demolition blade. But for the kind of mixed-metal cutting that electricians, plumbers, and facility techs do, the balance favors this blade.

Two performance notes from use:
- Starting cuts: The blade’s geometry makes starting on a curved surface (like pipe) easy if you lower your speed and kiss the work with minimal pressure. It resists skating better than some glossy-coated blades.
- Heat management: On longer cuts in angle and pipe, heat build-up is inevitable. The coating helps limit galling, and I found that a short pulse to clear chips every few seconds kept the teeth cutting rather than rubbing. If you have cutting wax handy, a little goes a long way to extend life.

Durability and life

I track blade life in “cuts to dull,” not “cuts to death.” With one blade, I cleared:
- Approximately 40 cuts of 1/2-inch EMT
- 18 cuts of 3/8-inch threaded rod
- 12 cuts in 1/8-inch angle
- 6 cuts on 1-inch black pipe

By that point, the center section of the teeth showed noticeable wear, and cut times started to drift up. The blade still cut but required more pressure, which is when I typically rotate to a fresh one to avoid overheating the work or the saw. Importantly, I didn’t see a single tooth strip out completely, and the blade never snapped at the tang despite a few binds in awkward positions. The bi-metal back remains the right call in this class—flex forgiveness without the brittleness penalty.

Handling and accuracy

The 3/4-inch width and straight-back profile make this blade responsive. It’s easy to thread into tight assemblies and make a precise cut without feeling like you’re steering a crowbar. The flip side: it’s not as torsionally rigid as a 1-inch-wide demolition blade. If you’re plunge-cutting heavy channel or trying to keep a perfectly square cut in thick stock, you’ll need to be intentional with shoe pressure and body position. For overhead unistrut and conduit, the lighter feel is actually a plus; it’s less fatiguing and easier to keep the line where you want it.

The 6-inch length is a practical default. It gets you through common diameters and profiles while staying stiff enough to reduce buckling. For bigger pipe or deeper cuts where you need extra reach or a longer stroke engagement, step up to a 9-inch blade in the same family.

Where it fits in a kit

This blade hits a sweet spot as an everyday metal cutter:
- Service calls and installation work where you’re cutting mixed metals
- Shop breakdown of light steel profiles
- Field modifications to unistrut, conduit, and rod

It’s not my first pick for heavy demo, thick plate, or nail-embedded lumber. And if your week is nothing but stainless, you’ll be happier with a higher TPI. But as a two-blade pack to keep in a pouch or service box, it earns its keep.

Tips for best results

• Let the teeth work. Moderate feed pressure and consistent shoe contact reduce heat and extend life.
• Match TPI to material when possible. This 14 TPI is a great middle ground, but stepping up to 18–24 TPI for thin sheet or down to 10–14 for thicker stock can pay off.
• Clear chips. Short trigger pulses on long cuts keep the gullets from packing.
• Consider a light wax on tougher cuts. It reduces friction and preserves teeth, especially in stainless or thick-wall pipe.

The bottom line

The DeWalt 14 TPI metal-cutting blade is a reliable, controlled cutter for the metals most of us face day in and day out. It starts cleanly, tracks straight, sheds chips well, and holds up through a sensible number of cuts without drama. The narrower back gives it agility in tight spaces, and the bi-metal build shrugs off the occasional bind. If you regularly cut heavy section steel, there are stouter, coarser options that will be faster. But for conduit, unistrut, angle, pipe, and rod, this blade performs like a solid “standard issue” you’ll reach for without thinking.

Recommendation: I recommend this blade as an everyday metal-cutting choice for electricians, plumbers, maintenance techs, and DIYers tackling medium-gauge steel. It strikes a useful balance of speed, control, and durability in a compact form. Keep a pair in your bag for routine metal work, and supplement with a coarser, wider blade for the occasional heavy cut.