DeWalt 8 piece 2X reciprocating saw blade set with tough case

Why this 8‑piece DeWalt blade set earned a spot in my kit

On most jobs, I don’t need an overflowing drawer of specialty recip blades—what I need is a compact mix that reliably covers wood and metal without fuss. After a few weeks of cuts ranging from deck demo to EMT and angle stock, this DeWalt 8‑piece set has done solid work and, more importantly, has kept its edge better than I expected for a compact assortment.

What’s in the box and how it’s organized

The set includes eight reciprocating saw blades in a hard ToughCase, with the following mix: 3 × DWA4166, 1 × DWA4188, 1 × DWA4179, and 3 × DWA4186. The case is expandable and sized to drop neatly into power tool kit boxes. In practice, the case is the unsung hero here—it’s rigid enough to keep teeth from clashing, the latch hasn’t popped open in my bag, and the profile is slim enough that I can stand it on edge next to batteries in a larger kit.

For day-to-day use, the assortment covers the core tasks: rough wood cuts, nail‑prone demo, and thin‑to‑medium metal. If you’re expecting a pruning blade or a heavy carbide demolition blade, you won’t find it in this set, but that’s not what it’s trying to be.

Design details that actually show up in the cut

DeWalt touts a few build details: a high‑speed steel strip along the cutting edge, an aggressive shank angle, shaped tooth geometry, and an anti‑stick coating. Marketing aside, here’s how those translated for me in the field:

• The HSS cutting edge resisted tooth rounding noticeably better than bargain blades. I didn’t get that immediate “sharp for three cuts, then mushy” drop-off. On nail‑studded 2x material, the teeth chipped less than I expected, and the blade stayed controllable under load.
• The aggressive shank angle gives each tooth more consistent contact as the blade wears. I noticed fewer dead spots—those moments where you have to lean on a dull section to keep going.
• The shaped tooth geometry contributed to predictable feed. In wood, the cut felt eager without grabbing; in steel, it found a rhythm quickly and stayed there.
• The anti‑stick coating mattered more in resinous framing and pressure-treated lumber than in metal. Pitch buildup was lower, which kept heat in check and reduced the burning smell you get from friction. I still cleaned the blades at day’s end, but it took less effort.

Performance in wood

For framing and rough carpentry, the wood blades in this set make fast work. I used them to cut out rotted joist sections and free up old ledger bolts. The cut rate was quick, with enough set in the teeth to throw chips and keep the kerf clear, which helps the saw motor stay happy. In nail‑embedded lumber, the blades didn’t stall out when hitting fasteners; they sparked, slowed slightly, and then kept biting. That’s where the HSS edge seems to earn its keep.

Flush cutting was manageable, though this isn’t a flush‑cut specialty pack. If you need ultra‑clean, perfectly controlled cuts alongside finished surfaces, you’ll want a thinner, flexible flush‑cut blade. For rough, pragmatic work, these blades are fine.

Actionable tip: let the shoe ride firm against the work and use a moderate stroke speed. The geometry is doing its job; forcing the cut just builds heat and shortens life.

Performance in metal

On steel EMT, perforated angle, and a handful of galvanized bolts, the metal blades hit a sweet spot for thin to medium stock. They start cleanly, don’t skitter around, and stay on line. In thicker material—say, solid 1/2‑inch bar—they’ll do it, but you’re trading time and heat for the cut, and this is where a carbide tooth blade would pull ahead. On automotive exhaust and similar thin-wall tubing, they track nicely without collapsing the tube, especially if you reduce stroke speed and let the teeth pull chips.

I also tried a few crosscuts on aluminum channel; the coating helped keep swarf from clogging. A drop of cutting fluid extended life, but I wouldn’t call it mandatory for this kind of work.

Actionable tip: slow down for metal, especially stainless or hardened fasteners. Light pressure plus lower SPM keeps teeth sharp longer and yields a straighter cut.

Durability and wear

DeWalt calls these “2X long-life.” I can’t put a number on it, but compared to economy blades I keep around for dirty work, these held their edge and shape longer, particularly after incidental nail strikes. The backer stiffness is balanced: rigid enough not to chatter excessively in steel, but not so stiff that you lose feel in wood. After a few hot cuts, the coating discolored but didn’t flake, and I didn’t see tooth microchipping that would suggest brittle heat treatment.

As always, technique matters. Using the shoe, controlling speed, and avoiding side loading will move the needle more than brand name alone. But starting with better metal helps, and these start better.

Fit, compatibility, and swapping

The shank fit was positive in three different saws I tried—no slop, no rattle. The aggressive shank angle is subtle; what you notice is consistent engagement during plunge cuts. Starting in the middle of a sheet or decking board, the tip eased in without the “kick” that some thicker blades transmit. Indexing blades in the field with gloves on was straightforward; the case layout gives you enough space to grab a single blade without raking your knuckles across a row of teeth.

Where this set shines—and where it doesn’t

Strengths:
- A practical assortment that covers the most common wood and metal tasks
- Noticeably better tooth life than no‑name blades, especially after nail strikes
- Coating that reduces pitch buildup in resinous woods
- A durable, compact case that fits directly into kit boxes

Limitations:
- No carbide‑tooth option; heavy cast, thick stainless, or hardened rod will push these past their comfort zone
- If you do a lot of pruning or need extra‑long demolition blades, this set won’t replace a purpose‑built pack
- The assortment leans general‑purpose; specialists may want finer or coarser tooth counts than what’s included

Practical advice for getting the most from the set

• Match the blade to the material. Even within this set, certain blades favor wood and others favor metal—don’t force a wood‑oriented tooth profile through thick steel.
• Let the blade do the work. Moderate pressure, firm shoe contact, and the right stroke speed preserve the tooth edge.
• Keep blades clean. A quick wipe to remove resin or metal fines preserves the coating’s slickness and reduces heat.
• Use the case. Teeth that bang together in a loose pouch dull faster than any single bad cut.

Who should consider it

If you’re a remodeler, facility tech, or DIYer who needs a reliable, compact set to live in the saw case or the bottom of a toolbox, this is a pragmatic choice. It’s also a smart backup kit on jobs where you don’t want to bring the whole blade drawer—service calls, punch lists, or tight‑timeline demo where you need to travel light. If your daily work is cutting thick stainless, hardened fasteners, cast iron, or you’re constantly into masonry nails, you’ll want to complement this with a handful of carbide blades.

The bottom line

I judge a recip blade set by three things: how quickly it gets through the cut, how long it stays predictable as it wears, and whether the case keeps the teeth protected and easy to grab. This DeWalt 8‑piece set checks those boxes. The shaped teeth and aggressive shank angle make for confident starts and steady feed, the HSS cutting edge holds up well against incidental metal, and the ToughCase adds real value by keeping the assortment compact and organized.

Recommendation: I recommend this set as a dependable, go‑to assortment for wood and general metal cutting. It’s not a one‑set‑solves‑everything solution—no compact kit is—but as a foundation for everyday work, it’s a strong value. Pair it with a couple of carbide blades for heavy stock, and you’ll have a small, capable system that handles the majority of reciprocating saw tasks without complaint.