What Is The Best Sawzall For Cutting Pallets

Wood pallets are everywhere—from shipping yards to DIY projects—and the reciprocating saw is no doubt the best tool for the job. Whether you’re dismantling pallets for upcycling, harvesting reclaimed wood, or breaking them down for disposal, the right blade makes all the difference. Many people ask: What is the best Sawzall blade to cut pallets?

The short answer: A high-quality demolition blade for reciprocating saws, designed to handle both wood and nails, is your best bet. But let’s break this down with a full sawzall blade guide, so you know exactly what to buy and why.

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Why Reciprocating Saws Are the Best Saw for Cutting Pallets

When you need to cut apart a pallet, you have several tool options: a circular saw, a pallet saw, or even a jigsaw. But none compare to the speed, control, and versatility of reciprocating saws.

• Circular saws are powerful but not ideal for pallets. They’re designed for long straight cuts in sheet goods, not maneuvering around nails and pallet joints.
• Pallet saws (sometimes called wood pallet saws) exist, but they’re specialized tools and not as versatile for other demolition tasks.
• Jigsaws can technically cut pallet wood, but they lack the cutting power for nail-embedded material and will quickly burn out.

Reciprocating saws—often called Sawzalls—are demolition kings. Their back-and-forth sawing motion and wide range of blades allow them to tear through wood, nails, screws, and even rebar. That’s why they are hands down the best saw to cut pallets.

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What to Look for in a Pallet Blade

Before naming the best blades, let’s look at what matters most when choosing a pallet blade:

1. Length – A blade 6–9 inches long is usually perfect for pallets. Too short, and you’ll struggle to reach joints. Too long, and the blade may flex.
2. TPI (Teeth Per Inch) –For 6–10 TPI = Faster cuts through wood, but may snag on nails.Then For 10–14 TPI = Balanced for wood with nails (best choice for pallets).Lastly, For 14–18+ TPI = Metal-only blades, slower on wood.
3. For 6–10 TPI = Faster cuts through wood, but may snag on nails.
4. 10–14 TPI = Balanced for wood with nails (best choice for pallets).
5. 14–18+ TPI = Metal-only blades, slower on wood.
6. Material –Bi-metal blades are durable and flexible—great for nails in wood.Carbide-tipped blades are even tougher, lasting longer when cutting through dense nails or screws.
7. Bi-metal blades are durable and flexible—great for nails in wood.
8. Carbide-tipped blades are even tougher, lasting longer when cutting through dense nails or screws.
9. Blade design – Demolition blades have a thicker body and reinforced teeth, making them ideal for rough pallet cutting.

Understanding the mechanical properties of pallet wood, such as fracture energy and hardness, is essential when choosing the right Sawzall blade. A study on western hemlock, a common pallet wood, found that thermal modification can significantly alter these properties, impacting blade performance. Read the full study here.

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Best Sawzall Blades for Cutting Pallets

Now that you know what to look for, here are the top categories of blades for pallet projects:

1. Reciprocating Saw Blade for Nails

Pallets almost always have nails holding slats together. Standard wood blades will dull quickly if you hit metal. That’s why a reciprocating saw blade for nails is essential.

Bi-metal demolition blades with 10–14 TPI are designed for this scenario. They cut wood smoothly but can also slice through nails without losing sharpness instantly.

EZARC’s Demolition Blades are a solid choice here. They’re designed for nail-embedded wood, lasting up to 2x longer than standard bi-metal blades.

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2. Best Reciprocating Saw Blades for Wood

If you’ve got pallets free of nails—or you’ve already removed the fasteners—you can go with a wood-optimized blade.

Look for a 6 TPI wood blade. These blades rip through pallet boards quickly. Just be aware they’ll get destroyed if you hit nails accidentally.

This is where a wood pallet saw blade comes in handy. It’s designed to chew through rough, fibrous pallet wood quickly.

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3. Pallet Blade for Multi-Material Cutting

Some pallets are reinforced with staples, screws, or even metal brackets. In this case, you want a true demolition bladethat can handle wood, metal, and fasteners all in one pass.

A carbide-tipped reciprocating saw blade with 8–11 TPI is your best option. It cuts slower than a wood blade, but it won’t stop dead when you hit metal.

Again, EZARC makes a strong option here with its carbide demolition series, specifically marketed as multi-material blades.

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Sawzall Blade Guide: Comparing Tools for Pallet Work

To put everything in context, here’s how Sawzall blades stack up compared to other saw types:

Tool	Pros	Cons	Best Use
Reciprocating saw with pallet blade	Cuts wood + nails, versatile, affordable blades	Rougher cuts, not precise	Best saw for cutting pallets
Circular saw	Fast straight cuts, smooth finish	Struggles with nails, dangerous on pallets	Cutting pallet boards after dismantling
Wood pallet saw	Purpose-built for pallets	Specialized, less versatile	Frequent pallet dismantling
Jigsaw	Small, easy to handle	Weak against nails, slow	Decorative pallet cuts

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Reciprocating Saw Blades Guide: Nail-Embedded vs. Clean Wood

When people ask “Can I just use any blade for pallets?” the answer is no. Let’s compare:

• Clean wood pallet blade – Fast, aggressive, but ruined by nails.
• Nail-embedded wood blade – Slower in clean wood, but survives nails.
• All-purpose demolition blade – Works everywhere but less efficient than task-specific blades.

The takeaway: If you want the best saw to cut pallets, use a reciprocating saw blade for nails.

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EZARC Blades for Pallet Projects

While there are many brands on the market, EZARC blades are worth mentioning for pallet dismantling:

• Their bi-metal demolition blades are optimized for nail-embedded wood.
• Their carbide-tipped blades handle screws, bolts, and thicker steel in pallets.
• The durability makes them cost-effective—one blade lasts longer than several cheap ones.

If you’re a contractor, DIY woodworker, or recycler, investing in better blades pays off.

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Tips for Efficient Pallet Cutting

Even with the best pallet blade, technique matters:

1. Cut flush to nails – Insert the blade between the slats and cut right through the nails.
2. Use a longer stroke length – This engages more teeth per motion, extending blade life.
3. Don’t force the saw – Let the reciprocating saw do the work. Forcing increases heat and dulls teeth faster.
4. Wear safety gear – Flying nails and splinters are common with pallet demolition.
5. Plan your cuts – Decide if you’re salvaging full boards or just dismantling for disposal.

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Final Thoughts:  The Best Sawzall Blade for Pallets

• For clean wood pallets – A 6 TPI wood blade is fastest.
• For nail-embedded pallets – A bi-metal demolition blade with 10–14 TPI is best.
• For mixed materials – A carbide-tipped demolition blade is unbeatable.

At the end of the day, reciprocating saws with demolition blades are the best saw for cutting pallets. With the right blade—like those from EZARC—you’ll save time, protect your tool, and make pallet dismantling safer and easier.