Heavy-Duty Demolition Guide: Best Reciprocating Saw Blades for Cast Iron & Metal

Are you a professional construction contractor or a DIY? Do you often handle difficult tasks such as demolition, plumbing, and remodeling projects? Well, you need a reciprocating saw for these tasks. Still, when it comes to getting the best performance, you need to consider the saw and blade you are using.

In this guide, we will show you the top reciprocating saw options available, the best blades, including specialty blade options for cutting wood, metal, or cast iron, and tell you what specific things to look for when buying blades.

How to Choose the Right Reciprocating Saw Blade

Choosing the right reciprocating saw blade to suit your reciprocating saw is extremely important if you want to get the best performance and increase the blade’s lifespan. If the right saw blade is used, the job will not only be easier and faster, but your tool will not be damaged.

Material

The material that you plan to cut is the most significant determinant when selecting a saw blade. Blades are specifically engineered for cutting wood, metal, cast iron, plastic, or for multi-purpose use. Always use the appropriate type of blade for the material to be cut to avoid working difficulties and tooth fractures. Even better, you may avoid damage to your arms when operating the head of the hacksaw.

TPI (Teeth Per Inch)

TPI (Teeth Per Inch) determines the aggressiveness and the finish of the cut. A lower TPI (4-8 teeth per inch) will give you faster and more rough cuts, making this a great choice for use on wood and also for quick demolition jobs. Higher TPI (14 TPI and above) offers a slower, cleaner cut and it is ideal for metal, resulting in a finer finish.

Length

A saw blade size is related to how far it can reach and how maneuverable it will be. A longer blade allows you to make longer, deeper cuts and is good for moving in tighter areas where the saw can’t access. For nice or straight cuts, shorter blades are much more stable and have controllable arms for the best strokes. Select the length appropriate for your cutting job, radius, and accessibility.

Tooth Material

What the teeth of a hacksaw are made of will have a significant impact on how the blade holds up to use on a wide variety of materials. Use bi-metal blades, since they are the most popular and offer enough pressure for general-purpose cutting. Carbide teeth have a higher hardness than ordinary saw blades and a good cutting effect.

They also have less cutting resistance, wear resistance, and heat resistance. Better yet, cutting heat is indispensable for cutting hard materials such as thick metal, cast iron, and wood with nails. They are more expensive, but carbide blades pay for themselves in tough jobs with their long life and consistent cuts.

Coating

Some special blades even have coatings, e.g., anti-friction or heat-resistant coatings. These coatings are engineered specifically to enhance blade performance by preventing excessive heat build-up during frequent use and by reducing excessive friction, which can result in increased wear during extended use on hard or dense materials.

Best Reciprocating Saws of 2025 (Top Picks)

Choosing the right blade for your reciprocating saw will depend on your personal needs or the project you are doing. Keep in mind that you must consider the raw power and the portability of the saw when working in cramped areas. Let’s look at the best blade options to upgrade your tool in detail.

• The Johnson Tools Heavy-Duty Demolition Series is the perfect match for cordless reciprocating saws in the most demanding applications. It features a high-performance tooth geometry that helps brushless motors power through solid wood and allows you to bevel up to 45 degrees for the most extreme cut angles. It is optimized for orbital action for 2x faster cut speeds. When you add this blade to your advanced battery system, your saw becomes a very powerful tool for any project you may be handling.
• The Johnson Tools All-Purpose Bi-Metal Blade is designed for corded saws with the biggest advantage of having an all-day runtime. This means that you will never have to stop and change dull blades in the middle of a job. Its flexible body provides increased versatility and flush cutting, and the blade is well-balanced, lightweight, and easy to handle for extended use.
• The Johnson Tools Flexible Scroll Blade is a great option if you are using a smaller and less heavy-duty compact reciprocating saw. This compact blade design is easy to maneuver and comes equipped with unique profile features. For instance, it fits easily into tool-less blade clamps, which makes the process easier and faster. It also responds well to variable speed triggers for improved cutting control through various materials.
• The Johnson Tools Precision-Ground Carbide Blade is built for 14Amp+ professional saws. It has an anti-vibration geometry, which minimizes vibration when working.

When looking for the right reciprocating saw accessories, you should know that corded saws generally offer more power and need durable blades. On the other hand, cordless models give you the freedom to take on work in hard-to-reach areas, and our specialized blades help extend the run-time of their battery technology.

Best Reciprocating Saw Blades for Metal (and Pipe Cutting)

When you are slicing metal, whether it is plain sheet metal, pipe, or a more elaborate combination, it’s important to know the ins and outs of the best reciprocating saw blades. By contrast, you need to cut metal with saw blades that have the right tooth arrangements and materials. This will ensure that you cut cleanly and provide sufficient tooth control, and to reduce premature wear. Here are a few top specialty blades for working with metal from our lineup.

• The Johnson Tools Bi-Metal (BiM) Blade is a great general-purpose solution for metal work. Featuring 14–18 TPI, this range makes it extremely versatile in cutting thin as well as thick metal. It has a long lifespan and is very reliable for daily construction tasks.
• When cutting through the hardest applications of hardened steel, such as rebar, the Johnson Tools Carbide Extreme Blade is a solid specialty blade. This product has 8–10 TPI carbide-tipped teeth for top-notch performance in the most demanding applications where standard blades would wear out instantly.
• Engineered specifically by Johnson Tools for tough applications, our Heavy-Duty Demolition Carbide Blade features 7 TPI. It should be your first option for cutting cast iron and stainless steel, because it provides you with a high-speed, low-vibration cut through even the hardest metal materials.
• Johnson Tools Fine-Tooth Bi-Metal Blades are reliable bi-metal blades with generally higher TPIs, usually around 18–24. However, they have one predominant tooth style for cutting metals and plastics, which makes it easier to specify and order. These would be great for cleaner, though slower, cuts in sheet metal and conduit where the smaller teeth pattern is an advantage.

Keep in mind that if you are cutting thick steel and cast iron, you will need a carbide-tipped blade, and high TPI for thin metal stock.

Recip Saw Blades for Wood: Best Picks by Task

Reciprocating saw blades for cutting wood have design features that emphasize aggressive material removal. You must choose the correct saw blade to make your job easier. Let’s look at the most recommended options.

• The Johnson Tools Heavy-Duty Demolition Blade is something of a beast, with 5–8 TPI. If you are cutting tough wood, especially with nails, this is the best choice for you. The blade comes with a durable design that allows for a longer lifespan and more reliable performance.
• The Johnson Tools Bi-Metal Nail-Embedded Wood Blade is perfect for framed wood and pallets, especially if you are handling renovation projects. This saw blade has a 6/12 TPI and a variable tooth pattern, which means it is very quick for these cutting applications.
• The Johnson Tools Carbide Extreme Wood Blade has a 5 TPI and is a clear winner for durability and speed while rough-cutting wood, even when there’s fastener material involved. Its carbide teeth last 50 times a standard blade, making teeth sharper for longer.
• The Johnson Tools Pruning Reciprocating Blade has a specialized outdoor design that is perfect for fine-cutting tree limbs and green wood. With an ultra-low 4–5 TPI, the large gullets are designed to achieve faster material removal, particularly when cutting fibrous and green wood.

Don’t forget to use a 4-8 TPI blade when cutting most woods, and always use demolition and/or carbide-tipped blades when cutting nails and foreign objects to save your teeth!

Best Reciprocating Saw Blades for Cast Iron

Cutting cast iron with a reciprocating saw can be taxing due to the material’s density and brittle tendencies. Adequate cutting performance requires specialized reciprocating saw blades to endure the harsh abrasion and cutting conditions.

You must invest in carbide-tipped or diamond-grit blades, and you’ll want to go a bit slower when cutting. Better yet, it’s helpful to have lubrication or cooling in place. Bi-metals do not handle the task of this abrasive metal since they get dull or snap out. Let’s look at the best choices from our factory line.

• The Johnson Tools Diamond Grit Reciprocating Blade is among the best for the most demanding cast iron cutting tasks, especially soil pipes. With industrial-grade diamond brazing, this blade is designed for optimal performance and extended life, making high productivity possible on brittle materials.
• The Johnson Tools Heavy-Duty Carbide Tipped Blade is best for use on thicker cast iron and delivers dependable cuts using a slower, consistent feed rate to reduce heat buildup and stress on the teeth. It is engineered to withstand the shock of cutting heavy-wall pipes.
• The Johnson Tools Carbide Extreme Demolition Blade is great for rebar and hard steel. It is one of the best cast iron cutting blades around. It features a tough, long-lasting matrix of carbide that is designed for use on extreme applications and for a variety of hard metal and cast iron cutting tasks.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to cut cast iron pipe with a cordless reciprocating saw?

Yes, you can use a reciprocating saw to cut cast iron pipe. However, you must choose a carbide-tipped blade for the job instead of a bi-metal blade. If you use the wrong blade, you can damage the blade or the aw itself.

Which TPI should I use for cutting wood?

When cutting wood, such as rough framing or demolition of wood, you should use 4 – 6 TPI blades. If you need a finer finish on the cut, then a 10-12 TPI blade will give you a cleaner cut.

Can I use the same blade for metal and wood?

It is not ideal to do this. While there are multi-material blades on the market, it’s better to switch to a particular type of saw blade made for wood or metal. This will always bring better results and make your blades last longer for each material.

How long does a reciprocating saw blade last?

The life of reciprocating saw blades relies on the material being sliced, the kind and material of teeth (bi-metal vs. carbide), and the way you are using it. Heavy-duty materials such as carbide blades can last 10 to 20 times longer than bi-metal blades on tough materials, so they may be worth the up-front investment for challenging projects.

Conclusion

Whether you’re cutting through wood, drywall, concrete, or stripping through vinyl flooring during demolition, the right saw and blade will bring out the right answers. Knowing which blades to use on what material makes your work easier. You can get that perfect cut every time, knowing that you are using the right type of blade to get the job done. Shop today for the top reciprocating saws and blade sets, to cut wood, metal, and cast iron for the right price.

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