Best Reciprocating Saw Blades for Demolition and Metal (2026)
By Nate Sawyer, Editor · Updated July 2026
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Reciprocating blades live or die by material match: nail-embedded wood shatters standard bi-metal teeth, and thick metal stalls anything too fine. The two levers are TPI and tooth material - low TPI with big gullets clears chips fast in demolition, while carbide teeth survive hidden fasteners and hardened steel that instantly strip bi-metal. The trade-off is cost: carbide lasts far longer but runs several times the price per blade, so many pros keep a cheap bi-metal for wood and a carbide for the nasty stuff. We pair three blades to the job so each cuts faster and lasts longer.
A 9 in. carbide-tipped reciprocating blade (5/7 variable TPI, 3-pack) for demolition through nail-embedded wood that kills bi-metal blades, with a Perma-Shield coating that fights gumming in wet framing. Diablo rates it up to ~50x bi-metal life. It costs several times more per blade, leaves a rough edge, and the tips chip if you twist or pry.
- Demolition
- Nail embedded wood
- Remodeling
Pros
- Carbide teeth survive hidden nails and screws that instantly kill bi-metal blades
- Perma-Shield coating cuts gumming when ripping through wet or resinous framing lumber
- Manufacturer rates it up to ~50x the life of a standard bi-metal demo blade in nail-embedded wood
Cons
- Costs several times more per blade than plain bi-metal, so it is overkill for clean lumber
- 5/7 TPI leaves a rough, splintery edge unsuited to any finish cut
- Carbide tips can chip if you twist or pry the blade in a bind
A 9 in. 8-TPI carbide-toothed Sawzall blade for thick, abrasive metal (3/16 in.+): cast iron, thick pipe, and stacked steel that strip bi-metal blades. The coarse 8 TPI clears chips fast and holds an edge far longer than bi-metal. It's too coarse for thin sheet or conduit, where it grabs and strips teeth, and can shatter if it whips or binds.
- Metal
- Thick metal
- Cast iron
Pros
- Carbide teeth power through cast iron, thick pipe and stacked steel that strip bi-metal blades
- 8 TPI clears chips fast for aggressive metal demolition and cast-iron waste-pipe work
- Holds an edge far longer than bi-metal, lowering blade cost per cut on heavy metal jobs
Cons
- Too coarse for thin sheet or conduit, where it grabs and strips teeth
- Higher upfront price than a bi-metal metal blade for occasional users
- Carbide teeth can shatter if the blade whips or the cut binds
Milwaukee's The Ax 48-00-5026 is a 9 in, 5 TPI bi-metal reciprocating blade built for wood-with-nails demolition. The tall 1 in body resists twisting for straighter cuts, while Matrix II bi-metal, a Fang Tip and Nail Guard teeth take repeated hits from embedded nails and screws without shattering. It is a fast, affordable consumable for tearing out walls and studs, though carbide blades outlast it when the cutting gets abrasive or metal-heavy.
- Demolition
- Nail embedded wood
- Remodeling
Pros
- Aggressive 5 TPI clears chips and plunge-cuts fast in demolition
- Matrix II bi-metal flexes under load instead of snapping
- Nail Guard and Fang Tip design resist tooth fracture on hidden nails
Cons
- Bi-metal teeth wear faster than carbide in heavy nail or metal cutting
- Coarse 5 TPI leaves a rough, splintery cut
- Not intended for thick solid metal - use a carbide metal blade instead
Still deciding? Compare them
Frequently Asked Questions
- What TPI do I want for demolition of nail-embedded wood?
- A coarse 5/7 or 6/9 variable-tooth carbide blade like the Diablo Demo Demon. Low TPI clears chips fast, and carbide teeth survive hidden nails and screws that instantly strip a bi-metal blade.
- Do I need a carbide blade for metal, or is bi-metal enough?
- For thin conduit and occasional cuts, bi-metal is fine and cheaper. For thick pipe, cast iron or stacked steel, a carbide blade like the Milwaukee Torch cuts faster and outlasts bi-metal many times over.
- When is a bi-metal blade good enough for demolition?
- For general nail-embedded wood and lighter demo, a bi-metal blade like Milwaukee's The Ax cuts fast and cheap. Step up to carbide such as the Demo Demon only when you hit heavy nails, screws or repeated abrasive material.