DeWalt ELITE SERIES OSC 1-3/8 in. Carbide Demo Blade (2 PK)

What I asked this blade to do

My first outing with DeWalt’s carbide demo blade was a realistic remodel mix: flush-trim a handful of ring‑shank nails left in oak flooring, cut back some proud drywall screws, make a couple of plunge cuts in plaster and lath, and notch a piece of fiber‑cement siding for a fixture. That’s the spread this blade is advertised to handle, and it’s the kind of work oscillating multi-tool users do every week.

Setup and fit

The Universal Fitment connection is as straightforward as it should be. The blade locked into my DeWalt 20V oscillating tool without drama and also seated cleanly on a friend’s older Makita without an adapter. The interface is snug—no slop or clicking under load—and the tool-free change system makes swapping between a wood blade and this carbide demo blade quick on a job where materials change often.

At 1-3/8 inches wide, it hits the sweet spot for general-purpose plunge and flush cutting. It’s narrow enough for controlled notches and outlet cutouts, yet wide enough to track straight when trimming fasteners flush to a surface.

Cutting performance across materials

• Nails and screws: On mild steel nails and common drywall screws, the blade bites aggressively at first and cuts flush with good control. The oscillating motion helps avoid kickback, and the cut is tidy enough that a quick pass with a file or sandpaper finishes the surface. On tougher, hardened fasteners (think older ring-shank nails or structural screws), the story changes: it still cuts, but speed drops and heat spikes quickly.

• Fiber cement: This is where the carbide edge earns its keep. Plunge cuts in fiber-cement board were smooth and predictable, and the blade tracked without wandering. Abrasive materials are a known enemy for standard bi‑metal teeth; the carbide edge here resists that abrasion well. Dust is significant, so pair your tool with extraction or work outdoors and wear a respirator.

• Plaster and lath: The blade handled plaster and wood lath without chattering or grabbing. I could feather the plunge to avoid cracking surrounding material, and the kerf stayed clean. For remodeling in old houses, that control is why an oscillating tool beats a grinder.

• Bolts: It will nibble through a small bolt head in a pinch, but if you’ve got more than one or two to cut—and especially if they’re hardened—you’ll be happier with a cutoff wheel or a recip saw outfitted for metal.

Durability and wear

Carbide-tipped teeth should last longer than bi‑metal in abrasive and mixed-material cutting, and that holds here—within limits. In my use, abrasion resistance in fiber cement and plaster was solid; edge wear was visible but consistent, and cutting performance stayed usable through a small project.

On nails and screws, durability was more mixed. Early cuts were fast, but after a handful of flush-cuts in harder nails I saw micro‑chipping at the tooth tips and a noticeable drop in bite. When I accidentally side‑loaded the blade while pivoting around a stubborn nail, a few teeth chipped more substantially. That wasn’t catastrophic—the blade still cut—but efficiency fell off. Heat is the culprit as much as hardness; when the edge runs hot, carbide can chip rather than simply dull.

DeWalt touts up to twice the life versus a competitor carbide blade in their internal testing. In my shop, I didn’t see a clear “2×” advantage over the other premium carbide OMT blades I keep on hand. In abrasive boards, it was comparable; on ferrous fasteners, it felt a step less durable, especially if I pushed the cut or twisted mid‑cut.

Control, speed, and cut feel

The blade tracks well and gives predictable feedback through the tool. With the variable speed set around the midrange, it’s easy to maintain a controlled plunge without burning. The 1-3/8 in. width gives enough surface area to register flat against the work for flush cuts. Noise is typical of metal cutting on an oscillating tool—sharper and higher‑pitched than wood—but not excessive.

Chip clearing is decent in wood and plaster; in metal, it helps to use a slight rocking motion to let chips eject and to keep the teeth from glazing. Maintaining a shallow approach angle on flush cuts reduces tooth shock and keeps the work cleaner.

Build quality and design notes

• Tooth geometry: The precision-ground carbide teeth present a fairly aggressive profile for demolition. That helps with initial bite on metal and abrasive substrates, but it also means the edge is sensitive to side‑loading. Stay square to the cut and avoid twisting.

• Body stiffness: The blade stock is stiff enough to stay flat under pressure. That stiffness helps track a straight line on flush cuts and minimizes “oil canning” when plunging.

• Heat management: There’s not much tooth set to act as a heat sink in metal cuts, so the onus is on the user—moderate speed, light pressure, and a pause between cuts keep heat in check.

Value and what you’re really buying

This two‑pack gives you a backup in the pouch, which is useful because any carbide oscillating blade doing fastener work has a finite window of peak performance. Pricewise, it sits above bi‑metal and in line with other branded carbide options. There’s no warranty coverage on the blades, which is not unusual for consumables but still worth noting if you’re expecting support for early tooth loss.

If your work is mostly abrasive materials (plaster, fiber cement, backer board), the blade makes sense: you’ll get respectable life and consistent performance with the convenience of Universal Fitment across most major oscillating tools. If your workload is dominated by ferrous demo—flush‑cutting a lot of hardened nails and screws—the value proposition is weaker because tooth chipping shortens the “fast and clean” phase of its life.

Tips to maximize life

• Keep speeds moderate (mid‑range). High speed builds heat fast in metal.

• Feather the pressure. Let the teeth work; forcing the cut invites chipping.

• Rock the blade gently in metal to clear swarf and reduce glazing.

• Avoid twisting while the teeth are engaged—especially on hardened fasteners.

• Give the blade brief cool‑down pauses between cuts; a little patience extends edge life.

• A swipe of cutting wax on fasteners helps reduce heat and chip welding.

Who it’s for

• Remodelers needing precise plunge and notch cuts in plaster, lath, and fiber cement.

• Punch‑list pros trimming the occasional proud screw or nail without hauling a grinder.

• DIYers who want a dependable, general‑purpose carbide blade for mixed materials, not heavy steel demo.

If you’re a framer or demo specialist cutting lots of hardened nails and structural screws daily, you’ll likely get more throughput per dollar from a recip saw with metal blades or a compact cutoff tool, reserving an oscillating blade for tight access and delicate surfaces.

The bottom line

The DeWalt carbide demo blade is a capable, convenient, and controllable option for abrasive building materials and occasional metal flush cuts. It fits securely on a range of tools, tracks straight, and offers good plunge control. Its Achilles’ heel is heavy nail and screw work: the edge cuts fast out of the gate but can chip and lose bite sooner than I’d like if pushed hard or side‑loaded.

Recommendation: I recommend this blade for remodelers and DIYers who primarily cut abrasive materials (plaster, fiber cement, backer board) and need an all‑around carbide option that fits most oscillating tools. I don’t recommend it as your primary solution for frequent steel fastener demolition; for that use case, a different tool or a more metal‑focused blade will provide better longevity and value.