DeWalt 12 pc. Bi-Metal Reciprocating Saw Blade Set

Why I reached for this blade set

My reciprocating saw is a constant in my kit, but the blades I trust rotate more often. After months of swapping between demo work, small metal fixes, and awkward flush cuts, DeWalt’s bi-metal blade set has become the default I grab. It’s not flashy, but it checks the right boxes: a versatile assortment that cuts cleanly, stays straight under pressure, and holds up longer than most general-purpose blades I’ve used.

What’s in the set and how it’s built

This is a 12-piece assortment of bi-metal blades designed for wood and metal. The blades combine a flexible back with a hardened cutting edge, which in practice means they bend a bit before they break and keep their teeth longer. The profile runs tall and thick, and that’s not just a spec sheet callout—it actively helps with straighter cuts and less chatter, especially in heavier metal. The tooth geometry is tuned for chip evacuation, and that shows up as cooler cuts and less clogging in both wood and steel.

DeWalt includes a telescoping ToughCase that expands to accommodate different blade lengths and snaps into tool kit boxes. It’s manufactured in the USA with globally sourced materials, and the overall fit and finish feel consistent with DeWalt’s pro-grade accessories.

Test setup and materials

I paired the blades with a compact 20V brushless recip saw and ran them through a routine mix of tasks:

• Cutting corroded furniture bolts and 3/8-inch threaded rod
• Trimming EMT conduit and light angle iron
• Pruning small branches and rough-cutting 2x material
• Demoing nail-embedded lumber and old deck screws
• Flush-cutting protruding fasteners and pipe stubs

I rotated through the assortment based on tooth aggressiveness and blade length, leaning on finer teeth for metal and more open teeth for wood and demolition.

Performance in metal

This is where these blades won me over. On bolts and threaded rod, they start the cut predictably without skating, bite quickly, and track straight. The tall, thick profile resists deflection when cutting off a fastener that’s already loaded in a joint, so the cut line doesn’t wander. Chip evacuation is genuinely effective—on longer cuts in conduit and angle, chips clear instead of packing into the gullets, which keeps heat down and maintains feed rate.

In thicker mild steel, the set doesn’t pretend to be carbide. You’ll feel the cut slow slightly, but it remains controlled and true. I completed a handful of cuts that usually toast bargain blades, and the tooth edges were still crisp. The blades don’t kink easily; flex around a tight cut and they bounce back without taking a permanent bend.

Performance in wood and demo

For demolition and rough carpentry, the more aggressive blades in the set move fast without tearing themselves apart on hidden nails. In nail-embedded studs, I could keep a steady stroke and let the blade do the work—no sudden stalls, and the saw didn’t buck as much as it does with thinner blades. The blade stiffness translates to straighter plunge cuts, which makes a difference when opening a clean hole for a box or register.

Cut quality is “jobsite clean”—not finish-saw clean, obviously—but the blades don’t leave ragged edges in framing lumber, and they cross-cut branches with minimal vibration. They’re not pruning blades, yet I didn’t hesitate to clean up a few limbs without worrying about tooth loss.

Control and cut quality

The thick, tall profile is the star. With some flexible blades, the nose wants to drift in metal and washboard in wood. These hold a line. I did notice slightly higher feed pressure needed in thin sheet metal with the finer-tooth blades, but that’s a trade-off for the stability you gain.

Starting cuts is predictable. The tips aren’t marketed as specialty “spearpoints,” but they plunge cleanly, and the saw’s shoe doesn’t chatter. In flush cuts, the stiffness helps maintain a flat reference so you don’t gouge the surface you’re trying to preserve.

Durability and heat management

The bi-metal construction pays off in longevity. After multiple metal cuts, teeth still had definition, and I wasn’t seeing the blueing you get from overheated edges. The tooth geometry does seem to help with chip clearing and heat; it’s noticeable compared to generic blades that clog early. In nail-heavy demo, the blades dulled, as expected, but they dulled gracefully rather than chipping out. I didn’t snap a single blade across all the tasks I put them through—something I can’t say about cheaper sets.

The ToughCase: useful with a quirk

The telescoping case is more than an afterthought. It expands to fit different blade lengths and nests into common kit boxes. I like that I can keep the blades protected and grab the whole collection without rooting around in a fabric roll. One nit: the case narrows at the bottom, and if you overpack it or drop shorter blades into the deep end, they can wedge and hang up. Loading blades with teeth up and avoiding overstuffing helps, but I’d prefer a straight channel or a small divider to prevent binding.

Compatibility and versatility

These use the standard recip saw shank and lock in securely. The assortment covers metal, wood, and multi-material cuts with a sensible spread of tooth counts and lengths. If you need specialty blades—extra-long demo, ultra-fine sheet metal, or dedicated pruning—you’ll still want to supplement. But as a core set, it handled every common task I threw at it.

Where it falls short

• There’s no carbide option in the assortment. For frequent cuts in hardened fasteners, cast iron, or thick stainless, a carbide-tooth blade will outlast these.
• In very thin sheet metal, the stiffer profile can feel slightly grabby if you’re heavy-handed. Back off the speed and lighten the feed pressure and it’s fine.
• The storage case, while handy, can snag blades at the bottom if you’re not mindful about how you load it.

None of these are deal-breakers for general carpentry, maintenance, and light metalwork, but they’re worth noting.

Value

I can’t quote prices here, but judged by longevity and cut quality, this set earns its keep. I’d rather pay for blades that cut predictably and survive a job than burn through two or three cheap ones and fight the saw the whole time. The included case also means I actually bring the full assortment, which increases the odds I pick the right blade for the cut and extend life further.

Who it’s for

• Remodelers, carpenters, and maintenance techs who need one set to cover wood, metal, and demo
• DIYers who want reliable blades that don’t punish a learning curve
• Pros who value straight cuts in metal without upgrading to carbide for everyday tasks

If your work is primarily heavy steel or abrasive materials, step up to a dedicated carbide set and keep this as a secondary kit.

Recommendation

I recommend this DeWalt bi-metal blade set for anyone who needs a dependable, do-most-jobs assortment for wood and metal. The blades run straight, clear chips well, and hold their edge longer than typical general-purpose options. The tall, thick profile brings real-world benefits in control and accuracy, especially in metal, and the ToughCase keeps everything organized and ready. While it’s not a replacement for carbide in harsh materials, it’s an excellent everyday set that earns a spot in the kit.