Bahco ERGO Hand Saw Blades Guide: Tooth Counts, Hacksaw Blades and Bow Saw Options
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Bahco ERGO refers to Bahco’s ergonomic handle design used across several saw types, and the blade you need depends on which ERGO saw you have: ERGO handsaws have fixed, non-replaceable blades chosen by tooth type at purchase; ERGO hacksaw frames take standard 12-inch (300 mm) hacksaw blades such as Bahco Sandflex bi-metal; and ERGO bow saws take replaceable bow saw blades sized by length and tooth pattern. Picking the right tooth count and blade type for your material is what makes the saw cut well.
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Which ERGO Saw Do You Have?
| Saw type | Blade replaceable? | Typical blade length | Main tooth options |
|---|---|---|---|
| ERGO handsaw (panel/carpenter saw) | No, blade is fixed to the handle | 15-22 in (380-550 mm) typical | Universal hardpoint, fine finishing, coarse fast-cut |
| ERGO hacksaw frame | Yes | 12 in (300 mm), some frames also 10 in | 14, 18, 24, 32 TPI |
| ERGO bow saw | Yes | 21-36 in (530-910 mm) | Raker teeth for green wood, peg teeth for dry wood |
| ERGO junior/mini hacksaw | Yes | 6 in (150 mm) | Fine teeth for small work |
If your saw has no tensioning screw or blade pins, it is a fixed-blade handsaw and you choose a new saw rather than a new blade.
ERGO Handsaws: Choosing the Toothing
Bahco handsaws are commonly sold with hardpoint teeth, which are induction-hardened so they stay sharp far longer than traditional teeth but cannot be resharpened with a file. Bahco designates toothing with codes in the product name, and the main practical choices come down to tooth size.
| Teeth per inch (TPI) | Cut character | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 5-7 TPI | Fast, rough | Framing lumber, landscape timbers, rough carpentry |
| 7-9 TPI | Balanced speed and finish | General carpentry, crosscut and rip in softwood |
| 9-11 TPI | Smoother, slower | Sheet goods, plywood, trim and laminate |
| 11-15 TPI | Fine finish | Mouldings, joinery, hardwood details |
For a single all-round handsaw, a universal toothing around 7 to 9 TPI in a 20- to 22-inch length is the most versatile. Add a finer saw if you cut a lot of trim or plywood.
Hardpoint vs resharpenable
- Hardpoint: typically lasts several times longer than soft teeth; when dull, the saw is replaced. Typical price range $20-$45.
- Resharpenable: rarer in modern ranges; worth it only if you sharpen saws yourself.
ERGO Hacksaw Frames: Blade Selection
Bahco’s ERGO hacksaw frames accept standard 12-inch blades, and Bahco’s own Sandflex bi-metal blades are the natural match. The rule of thumb is to keep at least three teeth in the material at all times.
| TPI | Material thickness | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 14 TPI | Over 1/4 in (6 mm) | Solid bar, thick plastics, soft metals |
| 18 TPI | 1/8-1/4 in (3-6 mm) | Mild steel bar, angle iron, general workshop |
| 24 TPI | 1/16-1/8 in (1.5-3 mm) | Pipe, conduit, tubing, threaded rod |
| 32 TPI | Under 1/16 in (1.5 mm) | Thin-wall tube, sheet metal, cable |
Blade materials
- Bi-metal (such as Sandflex): HSS teeth on a flexible spring-steel back; shatter-resistant and the best default. Typical pack prices $8-$25 for several blades.
- Carbon steel: cheaper but brittle and dulls faster in steel.
- HSS solid: very hard and sharp, but snaps easily in a hand frame; better for fixed setups.
Fitting a Hacksaw Blade Correctly
- Point the teeth away from the handle, so the saw cuts on the push stroke.
- Seat the blade holes over the frame pins at both ends.
- Tension the blade firmly using the frame’s tensioning mechanism; a loose blade wanders and breaks.
- Start the cut with light strokes at a slight angle, then level out.
- Use the full length of the blade at a steady rate of roughly 40 to 60 strokes per minute in steel.
- Release pressure on the return stroke to protect the teeth.
ERGO Bow Saw Blades
Bow saws are for green timber, firewood and pruning. Bahco offers two classic tooth patterns:
| Tooth pattern | Designed for | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Raker teeth (cutting teeth with raker gullets) | Green, wet wood | Rakers clear wet sawdust that would otherwise clog |
| Peg teeth (uniform triangular) | Dry, seasoned wood | Smoother cut in dry fibers without excessive clogging |
Match blade length to the frame exactly: common sizes are 21, 24, 30 and 36 inches. A 21- or 24-inch saw suits pruning and small logs; 30 inches and above suits firewood and larger limbs.
Decision Guide
| Job | ERGO saw and blade |
|---|---|
| General DIY carpentry | 22-in handsaw, universal 7-9 TPI hardpoint |
| Plywood, laminate and trim | Handsaw with 9-11 TPI fine toothing |
| Cutting conduit and pipe | Hacksaw frame with 24 TPI bi-metal blade |
| Steel bar and angle | Hacksaw frame with 18 TPI bi-metal blade |
| Pruning live branches | Bow saw with raker-tooth green wood blade |
| Cutting seasoned firewood | Bow saw with peg-tooth dry wood blade |
Care and What Wears First
- Teeth: the first two inches near the handle on handsaws dull first because that is where most cuts start; using the full stroke spreads wear.
- Rust: wipe blades dry after outdoor use and apply a light oil or wax.
- Kinks: do not twist a handsaw in the cut; a kinked blade binds and never cuts straight again.
- Blade guards: keep the plastic tooth guard on handsaws and bow saws in storage to protect both the teeth and your hands.
- Hacksaw blades: keep spares; a blade that has lost teeth should be replaced immediately, as missing teeth snag and snap others.
Bottom Line
For a Bahco ERGO handsaw, choose the right TPI when you buy, because the hardpoint blade is fixed. For ERGO hacksaw frames, fit 12-inch bi-metal blades in the TPI that keeps three teeth in the work. For ERGO bow saws, match blade length and choose raker teeth for green wood or peg teeth for dry wood.
