Intro
When a circular saw is too precise and a handsaw is too slow, the tool you reach for is a reciprocating saw. With its long, exposed blade moving back and forth at thousands of strokes per minute, a recip saw is the demolition specialist of the power tool world — equally at home cutting through timber studs during a renovation, pruning thick branches in the garden, or slicing through old galvanised pipe in a tight corner where no other saw fits. Cordless reciprocating saws have transformed this category: without a power cable, you can take the tool up a ladder, into a loft, or out to the bottom of the garden. The trade-off has traditionally been weight — battery-powered recip saws need a hefty motor and battery, making them tiring overhead. Modern brushless motors and compact battery designs are changing that, and the latest generation of cordless recip saws can be remarkably light and easy to handle. This review examines a compact 18-volt sabre saw from HiKOKI that puts low weight and one-handed usability first.
Generalities
Reciprocating saws occupy a unique niche: they are not designed for precision joinery or fine finish work, but for rapid, rough cutting in demolition, renovation, and outdoor maintenance. When choosing a cordless recip saw, the key specifications are stroke rate (in strokes or revolutions per minute), stroke length (which determines how quickly the blade clears material), cutting depth in wood and metal, and weight. A lighter saw is easier to control one-handed and causes less fatigue during overhead work. HiKOKI — the brand formerly known as Hitachi Power Tools — has a strong reputation in the professional cordless market, and their MultiVolt 18-volt platform offers a wide range of compatible tools. The CR18DAW2Z is the bare-tool version, meaning no battery or charger is included, making it ideal for users already invested in the HiKOKI 18V ecosystem.
This review examines the HiKOKI CR18DAW2Z, an 18-volt cordless reciprocating saw with a 3,200 RPM stroke rate, 50 millimetre cutting depth, tool-free blade change, and an integrated LED light. We cover cutting performance, handling and ergonomics, blade compatibility, and how it fits into a cordless toolkit — with the important caveat that as a bare tool, you need existing HiKOKI batteries and a charger to use it.
Description
The CR18DAW2Z is powered by an 18-volt motor — HiKOKI uses brushless motor technology in many of their recent tools, and the compact size and efficiency suggest modern motor design. The saw delivers up to 3,200 strokes per minute at full speed, which is competitive for a compact recip saw and sufficient for cutting through timber studs, PVC pipe, aluminium profiles, and nail-embedded wood. The cutting depth is rated at 50 millimetres in wood, which covers standard construction timber sizes — 50 × 100 mm studs, floorboards, and plywood sheets. For metal cutting, the maximum depth depends on the blade type, but the saw handles common metal pipe and conduit sizes without difficulty.
The standout feature of the CR18DAW2Z is its size and weight. At just 34.6 × 8.4 × 15.5 centimetres and approximately 1.2 kilograms without a battery — or roughly 1.7 kilograms with a compact 2.5 amp-hour battery fitted — it is one of the lightest cordless reciprocating saws on the market. This makes a genuine difference in how the tool handles: you can comfortably use it one-handed to cut branches at arm's length, reach into a stud wall cavity, or make overhead cuts during ceiling demolition. The body features a thermoplastic elastomer over-mould grip that provides secure hold even with gloved hands, and the compact head design allows the blade to get closer to surfaces in confined spaces. An LED work light is integrated near the blade clamp, illuminating the cut line in dark corners — a practical feature during demolition work where temporary lighting may not yet be installed.
The blade change mechanism is fully tool-free — a lever releases the clamp, you slide the old blade out and a new one in, and the clamp locks it securely. This is essential for a recip saw, as you will frequently switch between blades for different materials: a coarse wood-cutting blade for timber, a fine-tooth metal blade for pipe, and a pruning blade for garden work. The spindle lock holds the mechanism steady during blade changes. The variable-speed trigger gives you control over the stroke rate — squeeze lightly for a gentle start that prevents the blade from jumping out of the cut, then progressively increase speed as the blade bites. The saw also features an orbital action setting that adds a forward-sweeping motion to the blade stroke, increasing cutting speed in wood at the expense of a rougher cut surface.
As a bare tool, the CR18DAW2Z ships without a battery or charger — you get the saw body and a carry case. This is clearly indicated in the product name: 'With Case - No Battery or Charger.' This approach makes excellent sense if you already own HiKOKI 18-volt or MultiVolt batteries and a charger from other tools in the platform, as you avoid paying for redundant batteries. However, first-time HiKOKI buyers need to factor in the additional cost of at least one battery and a charger — typically adding €50 to €100 depending on capacity. The included carry case is a welcome addition for a bare tool, providing protected storage and transport. HiKOKI offers a limited warranty on the tool, and CE certification confirms compliance with European safety standards.
The HiKOKI CR18DAW2Z holds a 4.2 out of 5 stars rating from 33 customer reviews on Amazon France, ranking at #103 in Reciprocating Saws. The sample size is modest but the rating is solid. The tool is manufactured in Spain and reflects HiKOKI's transition from the Hitachi brand identity — build quality remains consistent with what professionals expected from the Hitachi name. At approximately €137 for the bare tool, it sits in the mid-range for cordless reciprocating saws. When compared to premium alternatives from Milwaukee or DeWalt, the HiKOKI offers competitive performance in a lighter, more compact package — particularly appealing for users who prioritise manoeuvrability and one-handed operation over maximum cutting capacity.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Exceptionally lightweight at around 1.2 kg bare or 1.7 kg with a compact battery — easy to use one-handed for overhead cutting, pruning branches, or reaching into tight wall cavities.
- Compact dimensions (34.6 × 8.4 × 15.5 cm) and a slim head design let the blade access confined spaces where bulkier recip saws physically cannot fit — ideal for renovation and demolition work.
- Tool-free blade change with spindle lock — swap between a wood blade, metal blade, and pruning blade in seconds without reaching for an Allen key or spanner.
- Integrated LED work light illuminates the cut line — a valuable feature during demolition when room lighting may be disconnected, or when cutting in dark corners under floors and in lofts.
- Variable-speed trigger with orbital action setting — start cuts gently to avoid blade jump, then increase to full 3,200 RPM; orbital mode speeds up rough wood cutting when finish quality does not matter.
- Part of the HiKOKI 18V / MultiVolt platform — batteries are shared across drills, impact drivers, circular saws, grinders, and more, reducing total system cost for existing HiKOKI users.
- Includes a carry case even as a bare tool — unusual at this price point, providing protected storage and transport without the extra expense of buying a case separately.
Cons
- Bare tool only — no battery or charger included, which means an additional €50–€100 outlay if you do not already own HiKOKI 18V batteries and a compatible charger.
- 50 mm cutting depth in wood is adequate for standard studs and boards but shallower than full-size recip saws — cutting through 100 mm posts or beams requires cutting from both sides.
- Only 33 reviews, though the 4.2 average is solid — the limited feedback makes it harder to assess long-term durability, especially regarding the blade clamp and orbital mechanism.
- HiKOKI's dealer and service network is smaller than Milwaukee, DeWalt, or Makita in some European regions — warranty claims and spare parts availability may require more effort than with mainstream brands.
- No variable orbital settings — the orbital action is either on or off, whereas some premium recip saws offer multiple orbital stages for finer control over cut speed versus finish quality.
Use cases
The HiKOKI CR18DAW2Z is an ultra-compact cordless reciprocating saw best suited to renovation contractors, demolition crews, and garden maintenance where its exceptionally light weight and one-handed usability give it an edge — provided you already own HiKOKI 18V batteries or are willing to invest in the platform.
Demolition and Strip-Out Work
Ripping out old timber stud walls, cutting through nailed floorboards, or slicing out sections of damaged joists — the CR18DAW2Z powers through demolition tasks where finesse is irrelevant and speed matters. The compact body fits between studs and joists that would block a larger saw, and the lightweight design keeps fatigue manageable during a full day of strip-out work.
Garden Pruning and Tree Maintenance
With a coarse pruning blade fitted, the CR18DAW2Z makes quick work of branches up to 50 mm thick — faster and far less tiring than a hand saw when dealing with multiple trees or overgrown hedges. The cordless design means you can work anywhere in the garden without running extension leads across wet grass.
Plumbing and Pipe Renovation
Cutting out old copper, steel, or plastic pipe during a bathroom or kitchen renovation is a classic recip saw task. The CR18DAW2Z's slim head reaches into joist bays and behind stud walls, and the tool-free blade change makes switching between a metal-cutting blade and a wood blade seamless — cut the pipe, then enlarge the hole in the joist for the new run.
Loft and Attic Conversion Work
Working in a loft means climbing through a hatch with tools, often into spaces with limited headroom and no power. The CR18DAW2Z's light weight and cordless operation make it ideal for cutting rafter ends, trimming insulation boards to fit between joists, and notching out sections of old timber — all while crouching under a sloping roof.
Pallet and Bulk Timber Breakdown
Breaking down pallets for DIY projects or cutting scrap timber to fit in a skip is repetitive, dusty work. The CR18DAW2Z handles it faster than a hand saw and more safely than a circular saw on uneven, nail-riddled wood. The orbital action helps power through knots and embedded nails that would stop a finer-toothed blade.