The best Hacksaws, compared.
Top pick: Bahco 317 frame Best value: AIRAJ 300 mm, 10 blades – Ten spare blades at about £16.99, with 4.5 from 2,211 reviews, for thin sheet and light tube. Updated October 2026.
A hacksaw is a manual frame that tensions a thin toothed blade for straight cuts in metal, plastic and sometimes wood. You reach for one when the job is a bolt, a copper pipe or a short run of conduit, and a powered saw would be the wrong tool. A full 300 mm frame suits general metal. A junior or mini frame suits trim, PVC and tight spaces. What separates them is the blade, usually bi-metal for metal, a tension system that stops the blade fluttering, and spare blades so a dull edge does not stop the job. Stanley and carry the deepest UK review files. Budget kits trade that depth for a lower price and, on some rows, more blades in the box. Frame size, tension and blades are set out in the [hacksaw buying guide](/hub/power-saws/hacksaw/sub/hacksaw-buying-guide).
A hacksaw is a manual frame that tensions a thin toothed blade for straight cuts in metal, plastic and sometimes wood.
42 products checked · 56 hrs invested · +18,400 readers
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Personal buying guide
Question 1 of 2
What size of frame do you need?
Bahco’s 317 frame is listed at £10.19 with 4.7 from 1,635 UK reviews, and the title line calls it a 300 mm (12 in) hacksaw. The product data says the box includes a bi-metal blade, records Italy as the origin, and gives a weight of 463 g. UK notes praise the handle, the build and the tension system, while complaints cluster on a flexy feel, broken blades or frames, and tension-thread trouble rather than return-stroke jump. The comparison table prints a 17 inch blade length, which does not match the 300 mm title, so order on the title. A 16.7 cm dimension row is also too short for a 12 inch frame. It is a straight-handle alternative to the pistol-grip Stanley if you want Bahco and a bi-metal blade in the box. It is a weaker choice if you need the tension hardware spelled out on the listing rather than inferred from reviews.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A straight Bahco frame for general metal DIY when you can ignore the bad size cells.
Less suitable: Buyers who need a clean spec sheet or a pistol grip.
Specifications
Common questions
Is the Bahco 317 a 17 inch saw?
The title calls it a 300 mm (12 in) hacksaw. A comparison cell of 17 inches, and a 16.7 cm dimension row, do not match that title. Order on the title.
Does the box include a blade?
The contents line includes a bi-metal blade. The comparison table does not state a tension bullet.
How many UK reviews does the Bahco 317 have?
amazon.co.uk shows 1,635 reviews at 4.7 stars in the capture used for this comparison.
The Bahco 319 is listed at £16.99 as a 12 inch pro frame with a bi-metal 24 TPI Sandflex blade in the title, and amazon.co.uk shows 4.7 from 1,325 reviews. The product data records a rubber-style handle, alloy steel, a one-year warranty and a Swedish origin line, at 454 g. The box line says only the frame, so do not assume the Sandflex blade is packed just because the title names it. The comparison table also prints 5.6 inches and 18 TPI, which fights the title, so treat 12 inch and 24 TPI as the claim you are buying. Review notes include return-stroke jump, flex, breakage and tension-thread trouble even with the high star line. Choose it when you want a named Sandflex 24 TPI setup for tube and conduit and you will check the parcel. Skip it if a tidy specification matters more than the model name.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Tube and conduit if you confirm a 24 TPI Sandflex blade is actually in the box.
Less suitable: Shoppers who need one agreed length and tooth count on the listing.
Specifications
Common questions
Is the Sandflex blade definitely in the box?
The title names a bi-metal 24 TPI Sandflex blade. The contents line lists the frame only, so check the parcel rather than assuming the blade is packed.
Why do the table cells disagree with the title?
The comparison cells print 5.6 inches and 18 TPI. The title says 12 inch and 24 TPI. Treat the title as the claim you are buying.
How many UK reviews does the Bahco 319 have?
amazon.co.uk shows 1,325 reviews at 4.7 stars in the capture used for this comparison.
Hilka’s 43900008 is a 12 inch heavy-duty hacksaw at £7.50, and amazon.co.uk shows 4.7 from only 15 reviews. The product data lists an alloy-steel blade, an aluminium handle and a 375 g frame about 40 cm long, with the box line naming the saw and nothing else. The comparison table shows 32 TPI and no tension claim. Review notes only record a solid build and recommendations; the criticism fields are empty, which on fifteen reviews means no pattern yet, not a fault-free saw. A listing bullet calls the handle die-cast while the materials row says aluminium, so the handle description is not settled. Thirty-two teeth would suit thin sheet as a rule of thumb, if that cell is the blade you receive. It is a low-price 12 inch frame if you can accept a tiny UK sample, and it is not the saw to buy on stars alone.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A cheap 12 inch spare when you will judge it in your own hand, not by stars.
Less suitable: Anyone treating 4.7 from 15 reviews as a settled verdict.
Specifications
Common questions
Is 4.7 from 15 reviews a settled score?
No. Fifteen reviews can move. Empty criticism fields on that sample mean no pattern yet, not a fault-free saw.
What length does the Hilka claim?
The title says a 12 inch heavy-duty hacksaw, and the product data gives a frame about 40 cm long. The comparison table does not print a separate blade-length cell.
Does it include spare blades?
The box line names the saw and nothing else. No tension claim is in the comparison table.
The Stanley 1-15-122 is a pistol-grip frame listed at £9.95, and amazon.co.uk shows 4.6 from 6,672 reviews, the largest sample in this set. The product data lists a high-speed steel blade, a 300 mm length and 24 teeth, the count UK blade sellers treat as a rule of thumb for tube and conduit. Review notes praise the grip and the tension hardware, and they also record jump or jam on the return stroke. The same notes say the frame can feel flexy and that blades or the frame can break, so the star average does not promise rigidity on thick bar. The box line names the saw itself rather than a spare pack, and a materials cell says wood while the listing also names plastic and metal pipe. At 554 g it is a DIY frame you can use one-handed once the work is clamped. It is the top pick here for review depth and a clear 24 TPI pistol grip, with the limit that a matching blade and a clamp still do the real work.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Clamped copper tube, conduit and bolts when you want a widely reviewed pistol grip.
Less suitable: Thick bar if the frame flexes, or a job that needs spare blades in the box.
Specifications
Common questions
Is the Stanley 1-15-122 a powered saw?
No. The listing power source is manual. It is a hand hacksaw frame, not a mains or battery saw.
What blade length does the Stanley state?
The listing gives blade length as 300 mm and 24 teeth. A 15.7 cm dimension row on the same listing does not match that blade.
How many UK reviews does the Stanley have?
amazon.co.uk shows 6,672 reviews at 4.6 stars in the capture used for this comparison.
HAUTMEC’s HT0398 is listed at £9.49 as a 300 mm high-tension junior hacksaw with a 24 TPI bi-metal HSS blade, and amazon.co.uk shows 4.6 from only 50 reviews. The parcel is about 40 by 14 by 2 cm at 310 g, so the word junior in the title does not mean a short 150 mm frame. The product data confirms bi-metal and a rubber handle, and the box line is the saw itself, not a spare pack. Review notes praise the grip and cutting when the technique is right, and they criticise broken blades or frames. Fifty reviews can shift quickly, so 4.6 is less stable than a four-figure count. The comparison table leaves blade length blank even though the title says 300 mm. It suits a light pipe or PVC cut if you accept a small sample, and it is a poor match if you wanted a true mini saw or a deeply reviewed trade frame.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Light 300 mm cuts in pipe or PVC if a small review sample is acceptable.
Less suitable: A true mini saw, or a frame you want backed by thousands of UK reviews.
Specifications
Common questions
Is the HAUTMEC a short junior saw?
The title says junior, and it also says 300 mm. The parcel is about 40 cm long, so it is a light full-length frame, not a 150 mm mini saw.
How stable is the 4.6 rating?
It is 4.6 from 50 amazon.co.uk reviews. That sample can move. It is not the same evidence as a four-figure file.
Are spare blades included?
The box line is the saw itself. A bi-metal 24 TPI blade is in the title, not a spare pack.
The red AIRAJ frame is listed at £16.99 with ten spare blades, and amazon.co.uk shows 4.5 from 2,211 reviews. The product data lists alloy-steel blades, a rubber handle and a parcel about 39.5 cm long, which fits a full-size frame better than several short dimension rows in this comparison. The table records 32 teeth, a fine pitch that UK blade sellers treat as a rule of thumb for thin sheet rather than thick bar. Review notes praise the spare blades and the tension system, and they also mention return-stroke jump, a flexy feel and broken blades or frames. You pay more on the shelf than for the Stanley, and you get a stated ten-blade pack that the Stanley box line does not list. It is the best value pick here when the job is thin metal and you want spares without a second order. A 32 TPI blade will feel slow if the stock is closer to bar than to sheet.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Thin sheet, light tube and DIY jobs where a ten-blade pack matters.
Less suitable: Thick bar, or buyers who only want the cheapest widely reviewed frame.
Specifications
Common questions
Is the AIRAJ 300 mm frame a powered saw?
No. The listing power source is manual. It is a hand frame with spare blades, not a mains or battery saw.
How many blades are in the box?
The listing states ten spare blades with the 300 mm frame. The tooth cell is 32 TPI, a thin-sheet pitch.
How many UK reviews does this AIRAJ have?
amazon.co.uk shows 2,211 reviews at 4.5 stars in the capture used for this comparison.
This second AIRAJ listing is also £16.99, with 4.5 from 1,145 reviews, and the title promises adjustable tension, ten blades and 45° or 90° positions. The contents line is an aluminium-alloy square-tube frame, one double-sided blade and ten black steel blades, at 740 g. The comparison length is 155 mm and the dimension row is about 15.5 cm, so this is the compact set, not the 300 mm AIRAJ. A teeth cell of 10 matches the spare count more than a real tooth pitch, and a materials row says aluminium oxide, which is not a useful description of blade steel. Review notes still mention jump, flex, breakage and tension-thread trouble. Buy it when you want angle positions and a blade bundle on a short frame. Do not treat it as a second copy of the 300 mm AIRAJ at the same price.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Short cuts where a compact frame and a blade bundle are the point.
Less suitable: General 300 mm metal DIY, or anyone comparing it as the same saw as the red AIRAJ.
Specifications
Common questions
Is this the same saw as the other AIRAJ at £16.99?
No. This listing is 155 mm, with ten blades and stated 45° or 90° positions. The other AIRAJ at the same price is a 300 mm frame.
What does the teeth cell of 10 mean?
It matches the spare-blade count more than a real tooth pitch. Do not plan a cut on 10 TPI from that cell.
How many UK reviews does it have?
amazon.co.uk shows 1,145 reviews at 4.5 stars in the capture used for this comparison.
The Magicbox 8-in-1 is listed at £17.09 with 4.5 from 179 reviews, and the title describes a self-locking handle with eight blades for metal, wood and drywall. Dimensions are about 6.6 by 4 by 17 cm at 250 g, so this is a compact interchangeable-blade saw, and the rank in the file sits in Handsaws rather than Hacksaws. The box line simply says no, which does not confirm the eight blades the title promises. A 32 TPI cell appears without a blade length, so you cannot plan a tooth count from that cell alone. Review notes mention jump, a cheap flexy feel and broken blades. High-speed steel and a rubber handle are the material lines. It can cover drywall and light metal in a small kit, and it is a poor substitute for a 300 mm frame on conduit.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Drywall, light wood and occasional thin metal in a small kit.
Less suitable: Conduit and steel tube that need a full hacksaw frame.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the box confirm eight blades?
The title offers eight blades for metal, wood and drywall. The contents line does not confirm that count, so do not treat the title as a packed list.
How long is the Magicbox?
About 17 cm and 250 g. It is a compact interchangeable-blade saw, not a 300 mm hacksaw frame.
How many UK reviews does it have?
amazon.co.uk shows 179 reviews at 4.5 stars in the capture used for this comparison.
Eclipse’s EPH2PS set is the dearest listing here at £24.65, with 4.3 from 60 reviews, and the title pairs a 12 inch soft-feel hacksaw with a 6 inch mini saw and a quick blade-change claim. The product data lists high-speed steel blades, a plastic handle and a 606 g parcel about 41 cm long, which fits the 12 inch saw being in the box. A teeth cell of 192 is not a credible tooth count, so ignore it. UK notes praise the grip and the tension feel, and they also record flex, broken blades and tension-thread trouble on a small sample. The listing bullets mention Eclipse Predator metal-cutting blades on both saws. Buy the set when you will actually use both lengths. A single Stanley or Bahco frame is the clearer buy if the mini saw will stay in the drawer.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A household that will use both a 12 inch frame and a 6 inch mini saw.
Less suitable: One metal-cutting job, or buyers comparing on review depth.
Specifications
Common questions
What is in the Eclipse EPH2PS set?
The title pairs a 12 inch soft-feel hacksaw with a 6 inch mini saw, at about £24.65. Listing bullets name Eclipse Predator metal-cutting blades on both saws.
Is 192 a usable TPI?
No. A teeth cell of 192 is not a credible tooth count. Ignore it when you compare blades.
How many UK reviews does it have?
amazon.co.uk shows 60 reviews at 4.3 stars in the capture used for this comparison.
WAIZHIUA’s orange kit is listed at £13.99 with 4.2 from 448 reviews, and the box line is a hand-saw frame, six steel hacksaw blades, a wood saw, a punch, a glass roller, two diamond blades and a carry case. That is a multi-tool parcel, not a single tensioned 300 mm frame, and the 13 inch figure in the comparison table reads as the kit name rather than a measured blade. High-speed steel is the blade material, weight is 540 g, and the case is about 29 by 18 by 5 cm. Review notes praise spare blades and jobs completed, and they criticise a flexy frame and breakage, without the return-stroke jump theme that shows up on several full frames. A 32 TPI cell is present, but nothing ties it to one blade in the case. Use it when one case of odd blades is the point. Skip it when you need a known 24 TPI metal frame and a stated tension screw.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Occasional mixed cuts when a cased set of blades is more useful than one frame.
Less suitable: Repeated metal tube where tooth count and frame tension matter.
Specifications
Common questions
Is the WAIZHIUA a 300 mm hacksaw?
No. The contents line is a hand-saw frame plus six steel hacksaw blades, a wood saw, a punch, a glass roller, two diamond blades and a case. The 13 inch cell is the kit name, not a measured blade.
Is tension stated?
The comparison table does not state a tension system. A 32 TPI cell is not tied to one blade in the case.
How many UK reviews does it have?
amazon.co.uk shows 448 reviews at 4.2 stars in the capture used for this comparison.
The D.A.Y. Republic set is the lowest price here at £4.98, with 4.0 from 605 reviews, and the box line lists a compact mini hacksaw and a junior hacksaw, each with a standard blade. At 130 g and about 13 by 2 by 31 cm it is a toolbox pair, not a 300 mm metal frame. Blade material is given as stainless or high-carbon steel, and the handle line says chrome plated, which is an odd mix for a cutting saw. UK notes praise the price and say the blades worked for some jobs, while jump, flex, breakage and tension-thread complaints are all present, which fits the 4.0 average. A 30-day warranty is the only cover stated. A 2.5 inch blade cell in the comparison table is not a reliable length for both saws. It earns a place for PVC offcuts and tight trim, and it is the wrong saw if you expected a rigid frame on steel bar.
Pros
Cons
Best for: PVC offcuts, trim and a second small saw in the toolbox.
Less suitable: Steel bar, repeated conduit, or anyone comparing it with a Bahco frame.
Specifications
Common questions
What is in the D.A.Y. set?
The contents line lists a compact mini hacksaw and a junior hacksaw, each with a standard blade, at about £4.98. It is not a 300 mm frame.
Is the 2.5 inch cell the blade length?
That cell is not a reliable length for both saws in the pair. Do not size a replacement blade from it alone.
How many UK reviews does it have?
amazon.co.uk shows 605 reviews at 4.0 stars in the capture used for this comparison.
YSUY’s junior hacksaw is listed at £5.79 with 4.0 from 89 reviews, and the title adds ten blades for PVC, wood, shingles and metal. The comparison table records 32 TPI and ten blades, while the contents line is empty, so the spare count is a title and table claim rather than a confirmed contents row. At 120 g and about 21 by 14 by 1 cm it is a short light saw. The blade material row says aluminium alloy, which is a weak description for a metal-cutting edge. Review notes include jump, flex and breakage, which sits closer to the 4.0 score than to the heavier brand frames. There is no stated tension system in the comparison table. It is a cheap spare for thin PVC and trim, and it is the wrong tool for repeated steel tube.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Thin PVC, shingles and trim when a spare junior saw is enough.
Less suitable: Repeated steel tube or any cut that needs a tensioned 300 mm frame.
Specifications
Common questions
Are ten blades confirmed in the box?
The title and the comparison table claim ten blades and 32 TPI. The contents line is empty, so that count is a claim, not a confirmed contents row.
What size is the YSUY junior?
About 21 cm long and 120 g. It is a short light saw for thin PVC and trim, not a 300 mm frame.
How many UK reviews does it have?
amazon.co.uk shows 89 reviews at 4.0 stars in the capture used for this comparison.
Shelf prices, stars and review counts are the amazon.co.uk listings for these twelve hacksaws, captured on 20 October 2026, plus the review themes on those listings. This comparison did not lab-test the frames. Weights sum to 100. The top pick is the Stanley 1-15-122, on review depth and a clear 24 TPI pistol grip. Best value is the AIRAJ 300 mm frame with ten spare blades. Both scored 71. The lowest sticker does not win that second award.
Amazon evidence
30%Star rating on amazon.co.uk, then review count. A file of thousands of reviews carries more weight than 4.7 from fifteen reviews.
Listing fit
35%Frame size, a bi-metal blade, a stated tension system, and a tooth count that matches the job. A length or TPI cell that fights the title is a weak listing, not a second spec.
Review outcome
20%Repeated praise for grip or spare blades, and repeated faults such as return-stroke jump, flex or broken blades. A thin file cannot score like a file of 1,000 reviews.
Value
15%Shelf price in GBP against what is actually in the box. Ten spare blades can beat a cheaper frame with no spares. The lowest price does not win when the frame is the wrong size for steel tube.
Buy the frame length and the blade before the lowest sticker. These twelve amazon.co.uk listings are not one hacksaw. Full 300 mm frames suit tube, bolts and conduit. Junior and mini frames suit trim, PVC and tight spaces. The top pick is the Stanley 1-15-122, on review depth and a 24 TPI pistol grip. Best value is the AIRAJ 300 mm frame with ten spare blades, not the £4.98 junior pair. A title that names a blade is weaker than a contents line that lists it.
A hacksaw is a manual frame that holds a thin toothed blade under tension. You use it for straight cuts in metal, plastic and, on some of these listings, wood. It sits in the Power saws hub because shoppers compare it with powered cutting tools, but it is not a circular saw, a reciprocating saw or a bandsaw. You push and pull the frame. There is no motor, no voltage and no battery. A voltage figure on a manual-tool table is not a specification you can use.
A coarse blade on thin sheet or thin-wall tube jams. The retailer rule of thumb is 32 TPI for thin sheet, 24 TPI for typical tube and conduit, and 18 TPI for thicker bar. The AIRAJ 300 mm row is the 32 TPI frame in this set. The Stanley title line is 24 TPI.
If the blade is not tensioned, it flutters and the cut wanders. Several budget rows do not state a tension system. Clamp the work. Do not hold the offcut in your other hand, and wear eye protection when particles or an impact are likely.
The Bahco 319 title names a 24 TPI Sandflex blade, and the box line lists the frame only. The YSUY title claims ten blades, and the contents line is empty. A voltage figure on a manual saw, or a tooth cell of 192, is noise. Order on the claim you can check.
Frame size decides the job before the brand does. A full 300 mm (12 inch) frame is the general metal saw for pipe, bolts and conduit. The Stanley 1-15-122, the Bahco 317, the Bahco 319 title line, the HAUTMEC title and the Hilka 12 inch row sit in that class. A junior or mini frame is for trim, PVC and tight spaces. The D.A.Y. set and the YSUY junior are that class. The second AIRAJ is 155 mm, not a second copy of the 300 mm AIRAJ at the same £16.99.
Tension is what keeps the blade from fluttering and wandering. Look for a wing nut, screw or lever on the listing, and for 45° or 90° mounting only where the listing states it. The Stanley and both AIRAJ rows state tension and an adjustable angle. The Bahco 317 comparison cell does not state tension, even though UK notes mention the tension hardware. Several budget rows state no tension system at all. A loose blade is a common reason a cut jumps. Grip is the other handling choice.
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
You cut copper tube, bolts and conduit a few times a year, and you want a frame that thousands of UK buyers have already used. The Stanley 1-15-122 at about £9.95 is a 300 mm pistol grip with 24 TPI and 4.6 from 6,672 reviews. Clamp the work. The box does not include a spare-blade pack.
You want a straight trade frame you can leave in the van, not a pistol grip and not a junior kit. The Bahco 317 at about £10.19 is listed as a 300 mm frame with 4.7 from 1,635 reviews, and the contents line includes a bi-metal blade. Ignore the 17 inch cell. It does not match the title.
You would rather have spare blades in the parcel than make a second trip. The AIRAJ 300 mm frame at about £16.99 states ten spare blades and has 4.5 from 2,211 reviews. The pitch is 32 TPI, a thin-sheet rule of thumb, so it is slow if the stock is bar rather than sheet.
The top pick is the Stanley 1-15-122, a 300 mm pistol grip at about £9.95 with 4.6 from 6,672 amazon.co.uk reviews and a 24 TPI blade, the usual rule of thumb for tube and conduit. Best value is the AIRAJ 300 mm frame at about £16.99, because the listing states ten spare blades and 2,211 reviews, at the same 71 score. The £4.98 D.A.Y. set is cheaper and it is a mini and junior pair, not that full-size frame. UK notes on the Stanley still record return-stroke jump, flex and breakage, so clamp the work and match the blade.
AIRAJ 300 mm, 10 blades
Ten spare blades at about £16.99, with 4.5 from 2,211 reviews, for thin sheet and light tube.
Editorial
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Public UK sources and the amazon.co.uk listings compared on this page. Listings captured 20 October 2026.
This page contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, stars and review counts are the amazon.co.uk figures stored for this set. This is not a laboratory test.
