A reciprocating saw including a housing and a reciprocating shaft supported within the housing. The reciprocating shaft has a longitudinal axis and a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A cutting blade is provided at the first end of the reciprocating shaft. A drive mechanism provided at a second end of the reciprocating shaft is configured to drive the reciprocating shaft in a substantially reciprocating motion relative to the housing while at the same time allowing the reciprocating shaft to substantially rotate about the longitudinal axis of the reciprocating shaft independent of the housing.