Bosch on the radio, copper beneath you… and your hacksaw fails. 👇

One hacksaw, three materials — cut clean across metal, plastic and timber every time.

June 13, 2025

Reliable Cutting Power for Every Job, Without the Guesswork

Some tools earn a permanent spot in your kit. The hacksaw is one of them. Whether you’re trimming stubborn metal pipe, slicing through PVC, or knocking out quick timber cuts on-site, it’s a hand tool that punches well above its weight — when you’ve got the right one.

But not all hacksaws are built equal. Some are built like tanks, others shake like a garden rake. Size, tension, handle grip, frame weight – each factor plays into how clean, quick, and safe your cuts will be. And if you’re doing multiple renos or juggling jobs, you know the value of one tool that can hustle across a dozen materials without blinking.

What's the Best Hacksaw for You?

Let’s break it down. Whether you’re trimming brake lines or knocking up temporary framing, here are the hacksaw options worth knowing — and using.

Types of Hacksaws (and How to Pick the Right One)

Standard Frame Hacksaws: The old faithful. Sturdy, holds a full-size blade (300mm), perfect for clean, straight cuts in metal and plastic.
High-Tension Hacksaws: When precision counts and the material is hard. These have rock-solid frames that let you crank the blade tight – great for harder metals like steel conduit.
Junior Hacksaws: Smaller frame, thinner blade. For tight spots, finer work, or when you just need to shave off a bit of something.
Mini Hacksaws: A compact lifesaver for awkward jobs where a full-size hacksaw won’t fit.

"The right hacksaw shouldn’t just cut — it should feel like an extension of your arm. If it’s rattling or twisting, it’s the wrong one."
— Candeece

Materials Matter: What You're Cutting Determines What You Buy

Metal

If you’re dealing with copper pipe, bolts, aluminium trim or angle iron, go for a high-tension frame with a 24 or 32 TPI (teeth per inch) blade. The tighter the tension, the straighter your cut — especially on hollow sections. Some advanced frames come with quick-change blade systems, saving time on site.

Plastic

Slicing PVC or poly pipe doesn’t require the same blade density as metal — you can run a 14-18 TPI on a standard frame. Look for a blade stiff enough to hold its line but not so dense that it gums up or melts the plastic with friction.

Timber

Yes, you can cut wood with a hacksaw — in a pinch. But you'll want a coarse blade with 14 TPI or fewer. Don’t expect the cleanest edge, but it will do the job if you’re knocking together a quick temporary brace or cutting timber dowels.

What Makes a Top-Notch Hacksaw?

Comfortable Handle — Especially for longer jobs. A rubberised grip that won’t slip when sweaty or dusty is gold.
Sturdy Frame — Go for all-metal over plastic. Lightweight aluminium frames are great if you’re mobile.
Blade Tension Adjustability — Critical for clean cuts. You want a frame that can crank the blade tight and hold it.
Multi-Angle Blade Mounting — Some models allow 45° cutting angles — handy for flush cuts in awkward spaces.
On-Board Blade Storage — Might sound gimmicky until you’ve got to change blades halfway through a job and can't find the spares.

A Story From the Jobsite

One of our regulars once rocked up mid-rebuild. “Got any hacksaws that won’t slide all over the shop cutting old copper?” he asked. Turned out, he’d snapped the blade on a cheapy while working under a house — pipe half-cut, time wasted, hand nicked. We set him up with a high-tension frame, swapped the blade on the spot, and he told us later it cut like a knife through butter. He’s still using it — same frame, just new blades.

Common Cutting Mistakes to Avoid

Bursting through a cut too fast? That’s a ticket to blade breakage. Use measured pressure, let the teeth do the work.

Low tension or wrong blade for the job? Hello, crooked cuts. If you're sawing and the blade’s wobbling like a cooked spaghetti strand, stop. You’re asking too much of the wrong blade.

Summary: Choose Once, Cut Clean

Good hacksaws aren’t tools you’ll change out often. Put the time into picking a decent one — one that can handle metal, plastic, and timber when the job calls for it — and it’ll serve you well across years of projects. Keep a mix of blade types on hand and swap them out depending on what you’re up against.

Because when it's halfway through a flip and the only thing standing between you and a water line repair is one copper pipe... you're going to see real quick that your hacksaw's either your best mate — or your biggest regret.

One Last Thing

Need help matching a hacksaw to your task? Swing past the store — we’ll set you up right. Not just the saw — the whole set-up. Because there’s nothing worse than being mid-job and feeling like you’re using a butter knife to do your cutting.

Cheers for reading,
Candeece