M42 Bi-Metal Bandsaw Blades: What are they? A Clear Guide for Choosing the Right One

At United Products, we supply professionals and DIYers alike with high-performance bi-metal bandsaw blades. Our goal with this guide is to help you better understand what bi-metal blades are. Why M42 blades (like our Hakkanson Allpower) are a top choice. How to choose the right TPI (teeth per inch) for your cutting needs.

What Are Bi-Metal Bandsaw Blades?

Bi-metal bandsaw blades are made by fusing two types of metal:

High-Speed Steel (HSS): This forms the teeth, providing hardness and resistance to wear.
Spring Steel Backing: A flexible and durable material that helps the blade resist fatigue.

This dual-metal construction means you get the best of both worlds — cutting performance and durability. They’re a big upgrade from carbon steel blades and ideal for users who want longer life, cleaner cuts, and more efficiency.

Why Choose an M42 Bi-Metal Blade?

M42 refers to a specific grade of high-speed steel that contains 8% cobalt, which boosts its performance. M42 blades are widely regarded as premium options in the bi-metal category. Here’s why:

High Wear Resistance: M42 blades stay sharper for longer, even in tough applications.
Handles Tough Materials: Great for alloy steels, stainless steels, structural steels, and hardened metals.
Heat and Abrasion Resistant: Ideal for high-speed cutting where heat buildup is a concern.

Our Recommendation: Hakkanson Allpower (M42)

Our primary bi-metal blade line, Hakkanson Allpower, is built with M42 steel. These blades are designed for professionals who demand precision and longevity. Allpower blades are perfect for production environments and shops that regularly cut through alloy and stainless steels.

Explore the full specs here: Hakkanson Allpower

Applications of M42 Bi-Metal Bandsaw Blades

You’ll find or bi-metal blades being used in a wide range of industries and settings all over New Zealand:

Fabrication and manufacturing
Construction and demolition
Automotive workshops
Metalworking and machine shops

Thanks to their resilience and versatility, bi-metal blades can cut through:

Structural steel
Stainless steel
Tool steels
Pipe and tubing
Cast iron
Aluminum alloys (in the right configuration)

Structural Steel Cutting? Use Wikus Proflex M42

For heavy-duty structural steel cutting, we recommend the Wikus Proflex M42. This blade has a special tooth profile, that is optimized for profiles and beams. the best of both worlds combining flexibility and precision with the toughness of HSS steel teeth and M42 band.

It’s a favourite in fabrication shops that work with large metal sections.

Explore Proflex here: Wikus Proflex M42

Choosing the Right TPI (Teeth Per Inch)

TPI is one of the most important specs to get right. It determines the finish, cut speed, and suitability for your material thickness. Here’s a quick overview:

Material Thickness	TPI Range	Best Use Case
Thin sheet metal (<3mm)	18–24 TPI	Smooth, precise cuts
Medium (3–10mm)	10–14 TPI	General purpose metal cutting
Thick materials (>10mm)	6–10 TPI	Structural shapes, bar stock
Very thick / solids	2–6 TPI	Fast cutting through dense stock

I have written a more in-depth guide on choosing the correct TPI in a separate article Here or on this page Here and linked from our FAQ a great resource

This Tpi Chart can be downloaded from here as a pdf

Check out our TPI selection guide for a deeper dive on which configuration is right for you.

Bi-Metal vs. Carbon Steel Blades

Feature	Bi-Metal Blades	Carbon Steel Blades
Durability	✅ High (especially M42)	❌ Lower
Heat Resistance	✅ Excellent	❌ Poor
Suitable Materials	✅ Most metals, even hardened	⚠️ Softer metals only
Cost	💲💲💲 (Higher upfront)	💲 (Lower cost, wears faster)

If you’re cutting metal regularly, bi-metal — especially M42 — is absolutely the way to go.

Final Thoughts: What Makes United Products Blades Different?

We don’t just sell bandsaw blades — we guide you to the right one.

Our Hakkanson Allpower M42 Bi-Metal Bandsaw Blade is a premium solution that outlasts standard bi-metal blades.
The Wikus Proflex M42 Bi-Metal Bandsaw Blade gives structural steel fabricators a reliable edge.
We’re always here to help you pick the right TPI, blade width, and configuration.

Lastly please don’t forget to treat your Tools with care.

A well maintained bandsaw will outperform and work reliably for longer.

It is also crucial to treat your bandsaw blades with care a properly broken in blade will last up to 30% longer, and give better results

Blade break-in will be the subject of an article to be published in the very near future, as it is so critical to blade life.

We have recently worked with several clients who have moved away from best practice. Either because of operator changes or just lack of over sight. Both were having blade failures that initially were blamed on poor manufacture but on investigation were operator error.

We take our and your quality control, very seriously and will work with you to find the cause of premature blade failure.

Have questions? Need help choosing? Contact us — or browse our full bandsaw blade range.

Related Resources:

TPI Selection Guide

📞 Talk to our team today at United Products – the experts in blades that work as hard as you do.

M42 Bi-Metal Bandsaw Blades: What are they? A Clear Guide for Choosing the Right One