For anyone wanting to know… the Stanley Fatmax Cordless Sawzall is suitable for breaking up an old ram for dog meat!
Our neighbor’s ram had become dangerous in his older years. Whenever anyone went into his paddock he would seek to attack them. As a result, he was put down and we used the meat for the dogs.
This Black + Decker reciprocating saw was the best thing we had on hand to process the beast, and it ended up being very effective (there will be pictures of raw meat in this post – go back if you don’t want to see that).
*Stanley is owned by Black + Decker. This Black +Decker Reciprocating Saw on Amazon is the same as the model pictured here.
Stanley Fatmax Sawzall Saw
The ram was skinned and hung and then it was time to butcher it.
If the meat was for human consumption we would not have used a reciprocating saw as a butchering tool, but because it was for the dogs, it was the easiest way to go.
It was my first time using a sawzall for meat, and I was surprised by how well it performed. The saw was able to quickly and easily cut through the thickest and hardest bones without any resistance (in fact, it has a lot in common with the chainsaw’s invention)!
It’s a battery-powered saber saw, listed as ’20 volts’ in the US and ’18 volts’ rest of the world (it’s the same thing), and it has plenty of power for tough jobs.
You can see the clean-ish cuts through the meat and bone in the image above – it was a very efficient way to butcher a ram.
I was using the saw for almost an hour with the same battery and it still had power left once I was finished.
Overall, I think the Black + Decker / Stanley Fatmax Sawzall is really good.
Other common uses:
- Construction
- Cutting lumber
- Pruning trees and shrubs
- Cutting fence posts
- Other farm and ranch tasks
My neighbor uses this saw a lot for cutting off the tops of fence posts when needed, and has found it great for this reasonably heavy-duty task.
When it comes to pruning trees and shrubs I’d personally rather use a small chainsaw as they’re more suited for it. But when it comes to cutting up meat, give me this reciprocating saw any day!
It was really easy to clean as well – I sent it back to its owner free of meat, fat, and bone!
Black + Decker Saber Saw Specs
The Stanley Fatmax series is sold in South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, the UK (Amazon UK), and other parts of the world.
The Black + Decker 20V MAX* Cordless Reciprocating Saw is sold in the North American markets (such as here on Amazon CA).
The batteries are interchangeable no matter what country you buy the tools in, as the 18-volt and 20-volt systems are the same. However, the battery chargers will only be suitable in the country of purchase (without an adapter).
They are part of the 18V or 20V Stanley Black + Decker series and can be used with other tools in the range (like their battery-powered chainsaw).
Specs:
- 4.5 Pounds
- 18/20 v
- Lithium-ion batteries
- 3000 SPM motor
- Variable speed trigger
- Electric brake
I found that the blades stay sharp for a lot of use and, when necessary, are easy to change without the need for any tools.
The tool handles well, sitting comfortably in the hands and being easy to maneuver. It’s lightweight and comfortable to use for extended periods of time without getting tired.
As far as reciprocating saws go, this one is cheap, but it performs very well.
Cordless Reciprocating Saw Review
It’s a bit gruesome to see the saw covered in meat, but if anyone’s looking for the best sawzall for cutting up meat for dogs, this should be in the running!
I was pleasantly surprised by the strength and power of this little saw to chew through bone – it was like a knife through butter. The battery run time was excellent, its ability was very good, and ease of use was great.
All-in-all, I’d be happy to recommend this reciprocating saw to anyone who’s considering it. The saw can be purchased as part of a kit with a charger and battery or on its own as a bare tool.
Pros:
- Does the job it says it will do
- Good battery time
- Great cutting
- New blades easy to find
- Affordable
Cons:
- Additional batteries are a bit pricy
Black And Decker Reciprocating Saw
The Stanley Fatmax or Black and Decker Reciprocating Saw is a good tool, in my opinion, and I enjoy using it. It gets the job done quickly and easily, and it’s pretty cheap to buy (even if you need the batteries).
Let me know if you have any questions in the comment section below. Thanks!
