There are quite a few circular saws with counter-rotating blades on the market, but what would you think about a reciprocating saw with dual counter-acting blades? DualSaw says that the motion of the two blades in its RS1000 and RS1200 reciprocating saws reduce kickback and vibration. What’s more, they claim that the saws are easier to control, safer to use, and that they produce a smoother cut.
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The 19″ RS1200 has the better feature set of the two saws. It boasts a 12A motor that’s controlled by a variable speed trigger, and it power the blades up to 2500 strokes per minute. You can set the stroke length to either 0.75″ or 1.25″ to match your material, and front-mounted LEDs help to illuminate whatever it is you’re cutting. For times when you want to change your grip, the entire handle, controls and all, rotates 270 degrees with respect to the body of the saw.
In contrast, the RS1000 is less powerful (10A), shorter (18″), and has fewer features. It’s missing the variable speed trigger, rotating handle, and LED lights. You are also stuck with a single 1.25″ stroke length.
Although the tang of the blades for the DualSaw look like standard reciprocating saw blades, the blades consist of two individual blades held together by a sliding joint. You might be able to mount regular blades in the DualSaw, but this is not recommended. At best, the saw might not function properly if you don’t use DualSaw’s special blades. Let’s not think about the worst that could happen. And so, to get the most out of the saw, you’ll be stuck buying blades from DualSaw for the life of the tool.
The DualSaw RS1000 retails for $198, but you can find it for as low as $100 on Amazon. The RS1200 also retails for $198, but unlike the RS1000, the best price I found was $160 at Menards. Interestingly, Lowes seems to have previously carried the RS1000, but no longer does.
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Buy Now (RS1000 via Amazon)
Buy Now (RS1200 via Menards)
The only source for blades appears to be the DualSaw website. There, you can buy wood & nail, metal, and multi-purpose saw blades in 6 “and 9″ lengths for $7 an $10 respectively. They also sell wood blades in 6″, 9″ and 12″ lengths. The 6″ and 9″ wood blades are also $7 and $10, and the 12” wood blades cost $12.
It’s worth noting that DualSaw says the blades have a universal tang and can be separated if you need to use them as single blades. You can use DualSaw blades in standard reciprocating saws, but cannot use standard recip blades in a DualSaw.
More Info (Dual Saw products and blades)
The following video shows the counter-action blades in motion.
First Thoughts
Do the counter-acting blades really produce all the positive effects that DualSaw claims? Conceptually, I can see these saws could very well reduce kickback, because when one blade is pushing while the other will be pulling, and that the design makes the saws easier to control. In real life, if you don’t rest the foot of a regular reciprocating saw against the material you’re cutting and don’t have a damn firm grip, the saw’s going to buck. I don’t know if or how well the counter action will mitigate this tendency.
Any advantages gained by this two blade counter-action need to be weighed against the extra complexity and cost. Will the added mechanism needed to drive two blades weaken the saw in any way? Reciprocating saws take a beating, especially when they are used in demolition. Will the two bladed system stand up to that punishment?
Not to mention that the only source of blades is the manufacturer. If you need a new blade, you can’t just go down to the hardware store to grab one, you’ll have to order it and wait for it to ship. For me, and I’m guessing many readers as well, that just might be the deal breaker for this saw.
fred
When Lowes did carry the saw – they also had the blades on display at my store.
I recall that the few comments about the saw on the Lowes website were mixed.
Dennis
This technology has been around for years. This is just like the electric knife I use on Thanksgiving for carving turkeys. I never realized there was a counter balancing action. It works well on meats, I don’t know how well it will work on construction materials…
Paul
I think I read/saw a review on this a while ago where they said that this type of saw cut at about half the speed of a similar-powered single-bladed saw. The explanation given is that these dual blade saw do twice the cutting (2 blades are twice as thick as one blade obviously) so only have of the power of the motor is delivered to each blade.
I am sorry but I don’t know where I read/saw the review.
Jerry
Not sure what to think of the dual blade mechanism, but there were times I wished my recip saw had LEDs out the front.
Doug
My Milwaukee does and I tried the dual blades in it after fileing it down cause of the dum ass way they conect together it worked just fine then it snapped not even close to were I filed seems it would of broke there first I think they cut fine until the cheap metal heats up probably from China and brakes y try and make another saw that runs two blades not to many dum asses are going to buy another saw when the one they got works just fine make a good dual blade for the sawzall that everyone all ready has way to much over thinking this one making it way harder then it should be I myself didn’t realize them blades were made for another saw when I asked them at Menard they said it was going to work well I tell you I’m going to let them know it doesn’t I did nothing but wasted money on these peices of shit and I will let everyone I know how much of a pain in the ass it was to get it to work to just turn around and brake not impressed at all with them thank you from a daily tool handler
JoeM
I’m not convinced. At least, not in the blades. The dual-blade system that counter-strokes the two blades in opposition, I believe. The features of the saw itself, I believe. I know from my electric knife in the kitchen, that the counter-blade system doesn’t vibrate all that much, and provides very smooth cutting. Something I’m sure is due to the fact that the vibration from one blade is in the exact opposite vibration to the other blade, smoothing the overall vibration. It still vibrates, a lot, but it doesn’t move as much when it does. ALL OF THAT, I BELIEVE. In fact, many of those features are on other saws, I think there’s a DeWalt Reciprocating Saw with an LED light in front, in fact.
I don’t believe the blades for this saw are worth buying. I’m sorry, but it would be more effective, and I would believe this saw was worth buying, if the dual-blade system just took two standard blades, instead of two connected ones. That connected blade thing is the only part I don’t like about the whole saw.
Dusty
hey this saw takes standard blades and it works just as well as any other reciprocating saw. I have worked as a metal fabricator and used top of the line reciprocating saws and this one works just as well as all the others. I actually like this one better than the others i have used. so instead of knocking this saw how about try it out!!!!
ANTHONY
If you use standard blades – do you put one or two into the saw ??
I am in Australia and got one of these on special and now can’t get blades – so interested to hear more detail on using standard replacement blades and whether you put in one or two
ANTHONY
Thanks
Nathan York
I believe these are on clearance at my local Lowe’s store. I’ll pass on it.
fm2176
Lowes still has some on clearance around here–$60 for the RS1000. I looked at it briefly before deciding on the PC 8.5-amp Tiger Saw. I have a number of regular blades and like being able to buy sets of Dewalt, Milwaukee, Diablo, or other brands instead of being stuck with relatively expensive blades from one manufacturer.
This saw seems to me as though it would be okay for the occasional semi-DIY’er…someone who might use a reciprocating saw once or twice a year and who really doesn’t like using power tools.
Nathan
I saw a think on DIY network that was about these – seems the main idea was cleanliness of the cut.
IE with the 2 blades, double the teeth in action . . . . . then your cuts in most materials will be cleaner and smoother than they would be with a plain saw.
My instant thought was 1) use the right blade for the job and 2) speed and power – IE use a real recip saw, and finally 3) recip saws were never meant nor thought of as a finish cut tool.
meh – do they cut well in real life – I’d like to know but until them I’m not giving up my corded 15A sawzall
I do like the rotating handle though
Jason
The problem is being stuck with their blades. If one dulls out or breaks are you going to be able to find they locally easily. The other thing is the new recip blades that are coming out now are amazing with the carbide tips and all of that. It would suck to be stuck only using bimetal blades if that is what they offer.
John
It’s probably an OK tool but I would rather buy a tool that has blades available from a number of sources.
And just for the record I gave my mum an electric carving knife with 2 blades for xmas in…74 I think! It sure as hell did a fine job on the xmas turkey and Sunday roasts for years after. So it ain’t new technology.
And where are they made? I went to their web site and they don’t have a bricks and mortar address……or are they made in China at that little village with the name Usa??? Just kidding, Usa is in Japan!
KL
Agreed that kerf is twice as wide and you’re basically removing twice as much material. I think that like the circular saws, these are a solution looking for problem. Regular recips work fine for me, and I’m not buying this product just because of proprietary blades. If it used standard blades, I MIGHT consider it.
Nathan
if the bit about smoothness of cut, or if the blades last longer – I might see this catch on. IE picked up by another company.
I mean honestly had this been made by say, Makita or Dewalt would any of the reactions been differently? I suspect yes – I mean what was the reaction of the first vibra-cutters, – or oscillating tools as we call them now.
what was the first one – the sonic-crafter. nope came out in the late 80’s IIRC. today everyone makes one.
so this might be the next thing for recips – again I like the rotating handle idea – but IIRC there is another company that makes one.
Jerry
I won’t be running out to get this one, that’s for sure.