Bosch 9 In. 10/14 TPI All-Purpose Bi-Metal Reciprocating Saw Blade

Why I reached for this blade

On a recent kitchen tear-out, I challenged myself to keep one blade in the recip saw as long as possible. Between stud walls with mystery nails, PVC drain lines, and a few lengths of thin steel angle, the Bosch 9-inch all-purpose blade ended up being my go-to for most of the week. It’s a bi-metal, variable 10/14 TPI blade in a 9-inch length—squarely in the “do a bit of everything” category. It doesn’t promise to be the fastest in wood or the cleanest in metal, but it aims for that hard-to-hit middle ground where you don’t have to swap blades every 10 minutes.

Build and fit

The blade uses a standard 1/2-inch shank and locked into multiple saws without any play. At 0.035-inch thick, it lands in the medium-duty range—stiffer than the flimsiest wood blades but not as burly as demolition-grade or carbide options. The 3/4-inch blade height gives it decent tracking in straight cuts without feeling unwieldy for curve-following or flush cuts. The straight back doesn’t have the aggressive hook you see on demolition blades, but it still handled plunge starts into drywall and subfloor just fine with a controlled approach.

The variable 10/14 TPI tooth pattern is the defining feature here. In practice, the alternating sections do help transition between materials. The coarser segments bite into wood and composite trim, while the tighter pitch tames chatter in metals and PVC. It’s a compromise tooth set by design.

Performance in wood with nails

I started with a wall demo that had its share of hidden fasteners. In clean 2x material, the blade tracks straight and cuts at a good clip. It won’t match a full-on demolition blade with a heavy set and wide kerf, but it’s quick enough that I didn’t feel like I was waiting on it. Once I hit nail clusters, the pace slowed slightly—as expected—but the bi-metal teeth held up. I went through several studs with scattered nails before noticing the “fresh bite” soften. Even after dulling a bit on nails, it kept sawing acceptably through wood. You’ll feel it ask for a touch more feed pressure after a handful of nail strikes, but it didn’t shed teeth or kink.

For plunge cuts in subfloor to free up sections around vents and cabinets, the straight back needed a deliberate start. Leaning on the tip with a steady rocking motion worked well; once established, the cut stayed controlled. If heavy plunge work is your daily routine, a more aggressive tip grind would be faster, but this blade gets it done.

Performance in PVC and plastics

PVC is an easy win for this blade. At mid-to-low stroke speeds, it makes clean, controlled cuts without melting or grabbing. I used it to trim 2-inch drain pipe and electrical conduit, and the surface finish was clean enough for fittings. The variable tooth pitch helps shed chips better than a fine-tooth metal blade would in this material. My tip: avoid max speed on plastics—keeping the saw around 50–70% reduces heat and leaves a cleaner edge.

Performance in metal

This is where technique and expectations matter. The blade is rated for thin to moderate metal (roughly 1/8 to 1/4 inch). On mild steel angle and flat stock in that range, it performs respectably—as long as you slow the saw down, clamp the workpiece, and let the teeth do the cutting. I cut several lengths of 1/8-inch angle and punched through some galvanized brackets without drama. Using a drop of cutting oil noticeably improved tooth life and reduced noise.

Where I noticed limits was in tougher automotive steel and cramped cuts where the full 9-inch blade had to hang out. The extra length introduces flex and chatter in metal if the piece isn’t clamped close to the cut, and high-strength steels can blunt a 10/14 TPI bi-metal faster than you might expect. If your day is mostly cutting metal tubing, seat frames, or hardened hardware, a dedicated metal blade with a shorter length and a constant 14–24 TPI will serve you better. For occasional metal in the middle of a remodel, though, this blade earns its keep.

Speed, control, and vibration

In wood, the cutting speed is solid and the blade tracks true with minimal wander, especially if you avoid excessive shoe pressure. Vibration is well-controlled for the thickness. In metal, the experience hinges on technique. Reducing stroke speed and keeping the cut supported makes the difference between a smooth cut and a tooth-chattering slog. As with most all-purpose blades, orbital action off in metal and on in wood is the right move.

Durability and tooth life

Across mixed-material demo, I went through fewer blades than I expected. The teeth dulled predictably after multiple nail hits, but I didn’t experience catastrophic tooth loss or tip breakage. The 0.035-inch body is a good compromise—flexible enough to avoid snapping when bound, but stiff enough to resist buckling in aggressive cuts. If you plan to spend hours chewing through roofing nails or structural screws, a thicker demolition blade or a carbide-tooth option will outlast it. For the typical remodel mix, this bi-metal strikes a fair balance.

Blade length and versatility

Nine inches can be a blessing and a curse. It’s great for reaching into stud bays, cutting double top plates, and flush-cutting trim where you need the extra reach. But in metal, especially smaller stock, a shorter 6-inch blade is nicer to reduce whip. If you keep this blade on the saw for general use, be mindful of the extra length and keep your cut supported close to the shoe.

Practical tips for better results

• Wood with nails: Use orbital action and moderate feed pressure. Don’t force it through fasteners; let the teeth bite and clear.
• PVC/plastics: Drop the speed to reduce heat. A light touch yields cleaner edges.
• Metal: Turn off orbital, slow the strokes per minute, and use a dab of cutting oil. Clamp near the cut to limit vibration.
• Blade life: Avoid running the blade hot. A few seconds of rest between long cuts in metal keeps the edge from tempering.
• Control: Use as short a blade as you can for metal; if you’re committed to the 9-inch, choke up the shoe and support the stock.

Where it fits in a kit

This blade is an everyday generalist. It’s the one you leave in the saw for a job that hops from lumber to PVC to occasional steel. It’s not the fastest wood ripper, it’s not the cleanest finish blade, and it’s not the ultimate metal cutter—but that’s the point. It does enough of each well enough to keep you moving without constant blade changes. For pros, it’s a reliable “default” and a good truck-stock item. For DIYers, it simplifies the choice paralysis of blade walls: one blade that works across most household tasks.

Value

In a five-pack, the value proposition is strong for mixed-material work. You’ll get solid runtime per blade, especially if you follow best practices in metal. If you find yourself burning through blades, assess technique first; if the work is truly metal-heavy, switch to a purpose-built metal blade or step up to carbide teeth.

The bottom line

I like this blade for what it is: a dependable, all-purpose 9-inch bi-metal that handles the reality of remodel job sites—wood, nails, plastics, and a fair share of thin steel. It rewards good technique, especially in metal, and it holds up better than bargain blades without pretending to be a demolition specialist.

Recommendation: I recommend the Bosch 9-inch all-purpose blade for anyone who needs a single, versatile recip blade for mixed materials. It’s a smart default for remodelers and homeowners who want to minimize blade swaps and still cut wood with nails, PVC, and thin metal confidently. If your work skews heavily toward metal or you’re frequently in hardened or automotive steels, step into a dedicated metal blade or carbide option; otherwise, this one belongs in the saw and in your spares.