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Our starting choice for mixed household wood-and-metal work
Compare the Craftsman 2058838 kit first
Shopping for Craftsman reciprocating saw blades? The Craftsman 2058838 11-piece kit with case is a sensible starting point when you need a mixed selection for suitable wood and metal rough cuts. Its bi-metal blades and organized package make it more useful than buying an arbitrary tooth count and expecting it to handle everything.
Choose the smaller 2058840 nine-piece assortment if its exact blade mix fits your work and the current offer makes it better value. For recurring cuts in one material, buying the correct individual replacement blade can be more economical than accumulating unused pieces.
A good blade purchase begins with the material and thickness, not the brand alone. Craftsman offers several reciprocating blade packages, and a name like “wood/metal” still requires checking the individual blade before entering the cut. This guide compares two verified current buying options and explains how to make that selection.
Both exact Amazon US listings had new offers in our October 2026 check. This is a researched buying guide, not a measured blade-life or cutting-speed test. It replaces broad claims about every Craftsman blade with practical package and application decisions.
Two sets of Craftsman reciprocating saw blades, two buying decisions
Swipe sideways on a phone.
| Product and link | Choose when | Useful distinction | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Craftsman 2058838 | You want a mixed kit and storage case | 11-piece kit; bi-metal construction | Individual blade markings, contents and new condition |
| Craftsman 2058840 | The smaller assortment fits the project | 9-piece mixed wood/metal set | Four 6-inch 6-TPI, three 6-inch 14-TPI, one 8-inch 18-TPI and one 9-inch 6-TPI blade in the checked listing |
Compare usable blades rather than package size alone. A set containing more pieces is not automatically better if most of them will remain in the case. Check the offer’s actual contents and blade markings; marketplace fields such as “number of teeth” can describe a package poorly and should not replace the blade’s TPI and application information.
1. Identify the material you are about to cut
Separate clean lumber, nail-embedded wood, thin metal, thicker metal sections and plastic before choosing a blade. What looks like a simple wooden assembly can contain screws or nails. Inspect it and use a blade explicitly suitable for the material you may encounter.
Do not select an ordinary toothed blade for concrete simply because it has 14 teeth per inch. Masonry, abrasive material and other specialized applications need explicitly suitable blades and tool guidance. A mixed wood-and-metal kit does not establish that suitability. For hidden wall work, identifying wiring, pipes and structural elements comes before selecting teeth. A blade that can cut a material does not mean the material is safe to cut in that location.
2. Match tooth spacing to thickness
TPI means teeth per inch. It tells you tooth spacing, not a complete material approval. Thin metal presents a different contact length from a thick section, while wood needs an appropriate chip-clearing design. Follow the blade maker’s stated application range and the saw instructions.
Do not turn “18 TPI” into a rule for every hard metal or “6 TPI” into a rule for all plastic. Tooth geometry, blade material and the actual work thickness matter. Use the marked blade in the set for its intended task and start at an appropriate speed. If it catches, chatters or progresses poorly, stop and inspect the setup rather than automatically forcing harder.
3. Choose enough length for the stroke
A reciprocating blade moves beyond the position you see while the saw is stopped. Select sufficient length to stay beyond the work through the full stroke, and check clearance behind and beneath the material. Too little reach can let the tip catch inside the cut.
Longer is not always more useful. Extra unsupported blade can flex and extend into obstacles. A nine-inch blade belongs in a deeper cut only when the full path is clear, not simply because it is the largest piece in the package. Measure the work, account for the tool movement and follow the operating instructions. Secure loose stock and plan support for the offcut so the blade is not pinched as the cut finishes.
4. Decide between a set and an individual refill
The 2058838 is worth comparing for a mixed selection with a case. The 2058840 provides a smaller assortment whose listed mix can suit suitable household wood-and-metal tasks. Choose the actual contents that solve the project instead of ranking packages by piece count.
If a particular blade repeatedly does the work, keep its exact identification and compare a replacement pack. That avoids repurchasing unused blade types. Verify length, TPI, geometry, application and quantity when reordering. A Craftsman name and a similar-looking white blade are not enough to establish that the replacement is the same. Compare shipping and condition as well as the number of useful replacements.
5. Understand bi-metal without promising unlimited life
The manufacturer describes the 2058838 as a bi-metal set for various wood and metal applications. This construction is a useful reason to compare it for mixed rough cutting. It does not mean the blade cannot bend, crack, lose teeth or dull when used incorrectly.
Blade life depends on the material, fasteners, speed, heat and support. A thicker-looking blade is not a license to lever against the cut or force the saw. Do not rely on a generic claim of long life as a fixed number of jobs. If you often cut a demanding material, compare a blade explicitly designed for it and judge the cost of useful replacements, not an unverified durability promise.
6. Make the first cut a controlled setup
Remove the battery or disconnect the cord before changing blades, as the tool manual directs. Inspect the shank and clamp, fully seat the blade and verify retention. Support the work independently; a tool-free blade clamp holds the blade, not the material.
Begin at an appropriate speed and establish the cut with the required shoe contact and hand positions. Keep the cord, if present, clear of the blade and falling material. Use appropriate eye and hearing protection and follow the exact operating instructions. Stop when the material changes or the blade jams. Allow a hot blade to cool before handling it, and isolate power before clearing or adjusting the setup.
7. Store usable blades and retire damaged ones
A case helps only if you separate usable blades from damaged ones and can identify the next blade easily. Protect teeth from other tools, clean using approved guidance and keep the markings readable. Do not put a bent or cracked blade back into the working selection as though it merely needs a different material.
Inspect for missing teeth, cracks, shank damage and a noticeable drop in cutting progress. Replace worn pieces instead of compensating with pressure. If wear is unexpectedly fast, reassess material match and support. Avoid unapproved lubrication or improvised repairs. Good storage preserves an appropriate blade; it cannot restore a damaged one or make the wrong geometry suitable for the task.
Questions before ordering
Do I need a Craftsman saw to use these?
Check blade shank and clamp compatibility in your exact saw manual. Brand names alone are not a complete compatibility check.
Can the ordinary metal blades cut concrete?
Do not infer masonry suitability from TPI. Use a blade and tool explicitly approved for that application.
Is the smaller set always better value?
Only if its useful blade mix and actual seller package fit your work. Compare complete contents and current offers.
Can I use these for a visible finished joint?
These are reciprocating rough-cutting blade choices. Use an appropriate precision tool and blade for fine visible joinery.
Choose the useful mix, then select each blade deliberately
Compare the 2058838 first for a mixed kit with a case. Use the 2058840 when its smaller assortment matches the job, and buy exact individual replacements for recurring work. The correct material match, reach and support matter more than a brand-wide “best blade” claim.
View the Craftsman 11-piece kit Compare the 9-piece assortment
Sources and editorial approach
Craftsman’s manufacturer description and exact Amazon US listings were checked in October 2026. This guide interprets documented package information and blade-selection principles; no independent life or cutting-speed test is claimed.