Skil Brushless 20V Reciprocating Saw Kit

First impressions and what stood out

I put the Skil 20V brushless recip saw to work on a mix of small demo, fence repair, and pruning, and it quickly earned a spot on my go-to cart. It hits a sweet spot for anyone who wants a capable, compact saw that doesn’t beat you up with vibration. The kit is complete out of the box—4.0Ah battery, fast charger, a starter blade, and Skil’s USB adapter—so I could get cutting without hunting down extras.

This saw’s brushless motor, 1-1/8-inch stroke, and selectable linear/orbital action give it the range to handle wood, metal, and the gray area in between (old construction lumber with hidden nails). The counterbalanced gearbox is the sleeper feature here; paired with a comfortable grip, it noticeably dampens the buzz that usually makes recip saw work tiring. At just over six pounds bare, the saw feels balanced with the 4.0Ah pack—compact enough at roughly 17 inches long to snake into studs and cut nails flush.

Performance: fast when you want it, controlled when you need it

Orbital mode on a recip saw can be hit-or-miss, but on this one it’s genuinely useful. In wood, especially demolition or pruning with a coarse blade, orbital gets the chips out and the blade moving aggressively. It chews through 2x material and old fence boards with confidence. Flip to linear for metal or when you need a cleaner start—think EMT, copper, or threaded rod—and the saw behaves predictably, letting you sneak the cut in without bouncing around.

The variable-speed trigger has a smooth ramp-up, so feathering a blade into a cut isn’t a fight. There’s no separate speed dial; I didn’t miss it. For delicate work, the pivoting shoe helps anchor the cut and control plunge. I prefer to set blade speed by feel anyway, and the trigger response here is intuitive.

Power-wise, the brushless motor doesn’t feel like it’s trying to keep up—it feels in control. With an aggressive wood blade and orbital engaged, it’s a fast cutter. With a bimetal blade in linear mode, it maintains a steady pace through metal without stalling or chattering excessively. It’s not the most powerful cordless recip saw I’ve used, but for a compact 20V, it’s confidently in the “gets real work done” category.

Vibration control and ergonomics

Vibration is where this saw won me over. The counterbalanced drive reduces the harshness in your wrist and forearm, especially in overhead or awkward cuts where you tend to white-knuckle a recip saw. It doesn’t turn the experience into a pillow fight—there’s still plenty of reciprocating mass—but compared to brushed models and some older 18V saws, it’s a noticeable improvement.

The grip shape and overmold are dialed in, and the front housing has enough texture to keep a gloved hand planted. Two-handed cuts feel secure. The LED light isn’t a gimmick; it actually fills the cut line well enough to see your start point in dim corners or under decks.

The rafter hook is a small but useful touch. I used it constantly—on ladders, on joists, or just to hang the saw between cuts. It’s sturdy and sized well enough to hook onto common framing.

Battery, charging, and runtime

Skil’s PWRCORE 20 platform brings a couple of thoughtful touches to a recip saw kit. The 4.0Ah pack uses a cell-wrapping material designed to wick heat, and in practice the battery stayed reasonably cool even during longer sessions of cutting and pruning. Heat is runtime’s enemy, so this matters more than it sounds.

The included PWRJUMP fast charger is legitimately handy when you’re cycling one battery. The published numbers—five minutes to 25% and roughly 45 minutes to full on a 2.0Ah pack—translate to “get back to work quickly” in the real world. With the 4.0Ah battery, expect that first bump to take longer and a full charge to scale accordingly. I found that a short top-off break brought the saw back for a meaningful chunk of work, which helped avoid the stop-start rhythm that makes battery tools frustrating.

Runtime is always blade- and task-dependent. With a pruning blade in orbital mode, limbing small branches and cutting up downed limbs, the 4.0Ah pack held up well and outlasted my comfort on a ladder. In heavy demolition, cutting dense, old lumber and the occasional nail, you’ll drain a pack faster—as expected. If you’re planning day-long demo, I’d pair this kit with a second battery (or step up to a higher-capacity pack if you’re already on the platform).

One bonus: the PWRASSIST USB adapter is a thoughtful inclusion. It snaps onto the battery and turns it into a power bank. Not a decision-maker for buying a recip saw, but a nice “in the truck” backup for phones or small devices.

Design details: shoe, blade changes, and light

The blade clamp is tool-free. Blade swaps are fast and drama-free, and the lock mechanism has a positive feel. It accepts standard reciprocating blades with the universal tang and holds them securely. I didn’t have any issues with blades loosening under vibration.

The shoe pivots and is adjustable for depth, which helps extend blade life and gives a fresh cutting edge. The adjustment on this model isn’t the fastest—plan to take a moment to set it, rather than clicking it on the fly—but once it’s set, it stays put. On drywall and trim I appreciated being able to choke up on the blade and reduce the chance of hitting what’s behind.

The LED lands in the “actually useful” category. It’s bright enough to illuminate dark cavities, and its placement doesn’t cast a shadow right where you need to see. Small thing, but appreciated.

What I’d change

• Shoe adjustment speed: While the shoe is both pivoting and adjustable, I’d like a quicker, more on-the-fly adjustment. It’s not a dealbreaker, but faster setups matter during hectic demo.
• Include a better blade selection: The kit blade gets you going, but you’ll want a small set—coarse wood, demolition, and a fine-tooth metal blade—to match the saw’s capability.
• More capacity options in the kit: A single 4.0Ah battery is a reasonable starting point. For heavy users, a second pack or a higher-capacity option would make this an even stronger ready-to-work kit.

Who it’s for

• DIYers and homeowners tackling remodels, deck and fence work, or storm cleanup will find this saw approachable and plenty capable. The vibration control and compact size make it less intimidating than some pro-brute models.
• Tradespeople who need a reliable secondary recip saw for punch lists, service calls, or light demo will appreciate the brushless efficiency, orbital/linear versatility, and the “grab-and-go” completeness of the kit.
• Anyone already in the PWRCORE 20 ecosystem gets the most value. For others, this is a solid gateway tool into that platform.

Durability and maintenance

Fit and finish are solid. The housing feels tight, switches have a positive action, and there’s no slop in the shoe pivot. Keep the blade clamp clean, blow out dust, and don’t starve it of blades that match the task—that’s the easiest way to protect any recip saw. The battery’s thermal management seems to do its job; it never got alarmingly hot, even under harder use.

Noise levels are typical for a recip saw—this is not a quiet tool—so hearing protection is a must. The reduced vibration helps with fatigue, but it doesn’t mean you should run it one-handed for long; two-handed control remains the safest and most accurate way to use it.

The bottom line

I recommend the Skil 20V brushless recip saw. It’s a well-rounded, compact saw with real cutting speed in wood, controlled behavior in metal, and vibration manners that make longer sessions less punishing. The kit is thoughtfully packaged, the fast charger reduces downtime, and the USB adapter is a practical extra. If Skil sped up the shoe adjustment and bundled a second battery option, I’d call it near-perfect for its class. As it stands, it’s an easy tool to live with and a smart addition for anyone who needs a do-everything recip saw without stepping up to a heavy, high-voltage beast. Pair it with a small assortment of quality blades and, if your work demands it, a second battery—you’ll be set for most of what a recip saw is asked to do.