LENOX has announced a new generation of bi-metal reciprocating saw blades, which they say features a revolutionary new tooth form design delivering up to 50% longer blade life.
Lenox’s longer blade life claim is made with respect to the brand’s MultiWolf, select MetalWolf, and select DemoWolf blades, in comparison to the prior generation of Lenox blades.
The brand added that the new line is redefining performance levels in the bi-metal reciprocating saw blade category.
Their new WAVE EDGE design will be featured across all models of MultiWolf, select MetalWolf, and select DemoWolf blade models.
Lenox will also be extending Lenox Rapid Plunge tech to select LumberWolf and DemoWolf reciprocating saw blades. This feature allows users to plunge-cut with ease due to the blade tips’ unique design for easy, quick, and clean plunge cutting.
MetalWolf – Ideal for making quick cuts through a range of metal types and gauges.
MultiWolf – Designed for making quick, clean cuts in metal, wood and plastic.
DemoWolf – Engineered for rigorous demolition applications.
LumberWolf – Ideal for cutting through dense wood with nails.
The blades are all made in the USA with global materials.
I had some questions for Lenox.
Why would a user buy these Lenox blades over competing blades, such as popular Diablo or Milwaukee offerings?
LENOX has over a century of cutting expertise, delivering solutions that make our end users more productive. LENOX invented the first bi-metal reciprocating saw blade in 1977 and is widely viewed as the leader in reciprocating saw blades. We have a range of blades that cover the common cutting applications as well as specialty blades for those specialty applications. In addition, users can find our blades in a wide range of distribution outlets not only in the US but also around the globe.
To be frank, I was hoping for a more technical or performance-focused answer, and while I don’t get that here, it comes in later, below.
How might these Lenox blades compare against existing Dewalt offerings?
Our LENOX & DEWALT reciprocating saw blades meet the needs of all professional end users. Our LENOX range features the new Wave Edge technology and covers slightly more applications than the DEWALT range.
Lenox and Dewalt are both Stanley Black & Decker companies, and so I was curious to see how the two brands’ blades would be positioned against each other.
Can Lenox elaborate upon the “revolutionary new tooth form design?”
Wave Edge technology’s unique cutting-edge geometry channels the power of the reciprocating saw into the cut, resulting in 50% longer life than prior generation LENOX.
I’m guessing this is the best we could hope for, given the proprietary nature of tooth geometries and cutting edge optimizations.
Lenox is “is redefining performance levels.” How? Please clarify if you can.
These new blades deliver up to 50% Longer Life vs. prior LENOX generation and we have a few performance videos on our YouTube channel that shows how they perform vs. the competition. The performance vs. the competition demonstrate what an end user will experience when using one of these new blades vs. other brands.
Alright, so let’s take a look at the results of Lenox’s internal comparative performance testing, which feature the Lenox Wave Edge reciprocating saw blades against Diablo and Milwaukee offerings.
Lenox 18 TPI Metal Cutting Blade vs. Competition
Cutting Test: 1″ SCH40 Black Pipe, 1850 SFM, 25 lbs downforce
Failure Mode: 1 cut at 45 seconds or 3 cut average at 60 seconds
Milwaukee 5184 Number of Cuts: 25
Diablo DS0614BF Number of Cuts: 61
Lenox 618R Number of Cuts: 300
From these results, Lenox says that their new 618R blade delivers up to 1100% more life compared to Milwaukee 5184, and 350% more life compared to Diablo DS0614BF reciprocating saw blades.
Lenox 24 TPI Metal Cutting Blade vs. Competition
Cutting Test: 1/2″ threaded rod, 1500 SFM, 25 lbs downforce
Failure Mode: 1 cut at 20 seconds or 3 cut average at 35 seconds
Milwaukee 5186 Number of Cuts: 150
Diablo DS0620BF Number of Cuts: 71
Lenox 624R Number of Cuts: 374
From these results, Lenox says that their new 624R blade delivers up to 140% more life compared to Milwaukee 5186, and 400% more life compared to Diablo DS0620BF reciprocating saw blades.
Lenox 10/14 TPI Multi-Purpose Cutting Blade vs. Competition
Cutting Test: 1-1/2″ SCH40 black pipe, 1800 SPM, 25 lbs downforce
Failure Mode: 1 cut at 60 seconds or 3 cut average at 90 seconds
Milwaukee 5091 Number of Cuts: 19
Diablo DS0614GBP Number of Cuts: 26
Lenox 650R Number of Cuts: 82
From these results, Lenox says that their new 650R blade delivers up to 300% more life compared to Milwaukee 5091, and 200% more life compared to Diablo DS0614GBP reciprocating saw blades.
Availability
“LENOX WAVE EDGE and RAPID PLUNGE products are now available in stores and online where LENOX products are sold.”
Here are some sample SKUs:
- MetalWolf – 20566618R
- MultiWolf – 20580810R
- DemoWolf – 20371966R5
- LumberWolf – 20582956R
I checked my local Lowe’s store and found that many of their Lenox bi-metal reciprocating saw blades feature the new Wave Edge technology. There are also still some older-style blades and sets.
For this kind of generational update/upgrade, I would suggest shopping in-person as opposed to buying online, to ensure you get the newer blades with up to 50% longer life.
Discussion
Interesting.
The new Lenox Wave Edge reciprocating saw blade tech didn’t sound too exciting from the start, but now they’ve got my attention.
“Up to 50% longer life” than select predecessor models sounds like an instant upgrade.
But, and not to put it indelicately, I don’t use Lenox reciprocating saw blades, I mainly use Milwaukee premium bi-metal and carbide-tooth blades, and certain Diablo blades when I find them on-sale at the home center.
Lenox’s testing performance seems very encouraging.
Have they convinced me to switch brands? No, but I’m at least open-minded. Lenox sent over a press kit, and I’ll be sure to give the blades a whirl.
I tend to treat bi-metal reciprocating saw blades as generally being interchangeable. But here, it looks like Lenox has a significant edge against both Diablo and Milwaukee.
