Embodiments are disclosed for a reciprocating saw that comprises a housing, a drive mechanism in the housing, a motor in the housing for driving the drive mechanism, an elongated plunger located in the housing for reciprocating motion and having a front end portion for attaching a saw blade for cutting material, the saw having an energy absorbing compliant configuration at least partially isolating a portion of the plunger and the drive mechanism from high energy impulses that can be produced by the saw blade being bound in the material being sawed during operation of the saw.