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Although there is an entire machine around them, without a blade the whole purpose of a jigsaw would be rendered meaningless.
So, choosing a blade for your project is almost as important as picking the right jigsaw. Here’s more information about the best jigsaw blades on the market. Let’s help you find what you’re looking for.
Snapshot! Best Jigsaw Blades
In a hurry? Here are our top picks:
Best Overall | |
Runner-up | |
Best for the Money |
Comparison Chart of the Best Jigsaw Blades
Product | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|
Dewalt DW3742C  | Best Overall | |
Bosch T10RC  | Runner-up | |
Janchi T344D  | Best for the Money | |
Bosch T101AO3  | Best Jigsaw Blade for Plywood | |
Bosch T128BHM3  | Best Jigsaw Blade for Laminate Flooring | |
Festool 204275 Set  | Best Jigsaw Blade for Hardwood | |
Bosch T321BF3  | Best Jigsaw Blade for Metal | |
Lenox Tools 1991592  | Best Jigsaw Blade for Aluminum | |
Dewalt DW4856 Set  | Best Jigsaw Blade for Plastic | |
Bosch T130RF1  | Best Jigsaw Blade for Fiberglass |
Are All Jigsaw Blades the Same?
Absolutely not. Jigsaw blades differ in terms of shank and composition. The shank of a blade is the part that locks into the jigsaw’s clamp. There are two types of jigsaw shanks – T-shank (tang shank) and U-shank (universal shank).
Most jigsaw blades that you run across in the United States are T-shank blades. They have a tang at the top that fits most modern blade clamps on the market. Then, there are the U-shank blades. They are used on non-tool-free blades. These blades were very popular for years before the days of the tool-free blades.
And then there’s the question of the material. This affects the durability and the ability to cut through different materials. Ultimately, your jigsaw blade choice will be dictated by the cut you need to make.
Jigsaw Blade Guide from Vermont American
What Size of Jigsaw Blade Do I Need? What About the Number of Teeth?
As far as size goes, all you need to consider is the length and width of the blade needed for your project. Jigsaws are used to cut a wide variety of shapes and sizes, so that’s what decides the necessary length of the blade.
The total length is the length that goes from the tip of the shank to the tip of the blade. As opposed to the cutting length, which is the actual cutting part of the blade. Additionally, some blades may talk about the Tooth Length or Distance which is generally measured peak to peak.
Blades that have a higher tooth count cut slower, but the result is also smoother. Generally, the metric used for this is expressed in TPI, or Teeth Per Inch.
How to Choose a New Jigsaw Blade
Whether you’re getting a new blade because the old one is unusable, or because you just need a new one, making the choice depends on several factors.
T-Shank versus U-Shank Blades
T or U
As mentioned earlier, T-shank blades are more common today. However, if you have an older jigsaw, chances are that it’s going to need a U-shank blade. Your best bet would be to find something suitable online and check and see whether they come with T- or U-shanks.
Material
High-carbon steel blades are used for woodworking, high-speed steel blades are more suitable for hardwood, metal, and plastic. Bi-metal blades are for heavy-duty wood types and metal. Finally, Tungsten carbide blades have the toughness to work with tiles and steel. Depending on what you’re planning to cut, choose the blade material accordingly.x
Number of Teeth
As mentioned earlier, the more teeth a blade has, the smoother the result but the longer it’s going to take. 6-20 TPI blades are suitable for wood and wood-like materials. For harder materials such as metal, 14-36 TPI is more appropriate. Opinions on the exact numbers vary, but everyone can agree on the characteristics. Your best bet would be to have a set of blades and pick out the most suitable for each project.
Quick Take: Best Jigsaw Blades
Hoping to cut right to the chase? Below are the best jigsaw blades:
- Best Overall: Dewalt DW3742C
- Runner-up: Bosch T10RC
- Best for the Money: Janchi T344D
Review of the Best Jigsaw Blades
You could go around and spend money on jigsaw blades that you may or may not like. Or you can check out the following top jigsaw blades first.
Best Overall:
Dewalt DW3742C
PROS
CONS
Our Review
This set is perhaps the best overall for a few reasons. First, you’re getting as many as 14 blades that are fit for a range of applications. You get 4 blades rated at 6 TPI of 6 that are perfect for fast cutting through wood. You get 4 additional blades of the same TPI, 2 for clean cutting and 2 for clean cutting. As for the rest, there are 2 blades with a TPI of 10 and 4 with TPIs of 12, 18, and 32.
The blades in this set have both wood and metal applications and some can be used on ceramics. These are T-shank blades that are guaranteed to fit all Dewalt and Bosch saws.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
This set isn’t the best for any specific material, but the blades will fit the most popular jigsaws and do a great job with most materials. You just need to know which blade to use every time you have to use the jigsaw.
Runner-up:
Bosch T10RC
PROS
CONS
Our Review
With this set, you get 10 blades, which is more than enough for most people. With that said, although the Bosch T10RC is ideal for hardwood and ceramics, the blades aren’t made for steel cutting.
On the other hand, for cutting wood purposes, there aren’t too many blade sets in this price range that can outdo the Bosch. The plastic case is a very convenient storage option and you don’t have to worry about it breaking. It might be plastic, but it’s still heavy-duty.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
That would be the technology that allows these blades to function from five points of contact. This is what allows the Bosch blades to cut swiftly yet smoothly through all types of wood, resulting in clean and smooth cuts that won’t need much finishing at all.
Best for the Money:
Janchi T344D
PROS
CONS
Our Review
The Janchi T344D doesn’t come with a variety of blades. It also doesn’t aspire to be anything too cutting edge or advanced. It’s a quick and cheap solution for someone’s cutting needs. Plus, the set will last you a long time, seeing as you’re getting as many as 20 blades.
Also, make no mistake that the T344D blades are very durable. They’re made of high-carbon steel that’s known for high strength. These T-shank blades will also fit most jigsaw brands and models on the market today
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
The price is what sets the Janchi T344D apart. It might not impress you with variety, as all the blades are the same and designed for wood. But as long as you’re looking for something to cut wood that’s up to 100mm in thickness, this affordable set will work out well.
Best Jigsaw Blade for Plywood:
Bosch T101AO3
PROS
CONS
Our Review
With five points of contact, the Bosch T101AO3 blades ensure stable and precise cutting into both thicker and thinner wood/laminate materials. 20 TPI is perfect for these materials and these blades are perfect for curved, clean, and scrolling cuts. Yes, the drawback is that there are only five blades per pack, but you probably can’t expect more for the price.
Although these blades can work with a variety of woods, these Bosch blades truly shine on plywood. This is owing to the pointed teeth that help to avoid splintering.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
The pointed teeth definitely set these Bosch blades apart. This is exactly what makes the T101AO3 blades perform great with everything from plywood to much harder woods.
Best Jigsaw Blade for Laminate Flooring:
Bosch T128BHM3
PROS
CONS
Our Review
If you’re looking for a jigsaw blade specifically for cutting laminate, the Bosch T128BHM3 is the arguably best possible choice. It has been specially designed for laminate flooring and more brittle materials. These 14 TPI blades can make clean cuts that are free of chips and cracks.
The first time you set eyes on these blades, you’ll notice the unique teeth design that makes them so suitable for laminate flooring.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
These blades are intended for laminate flooring only. This doesn’t mean that the T128BHM3 isn’t going to work with other materials, but this may be it if you are looking for something to cut through laminate materials.
Best Jigsaw Blade for Hardwood:
Festool 204275
PROS
CONS
Our Review
First of all, you get 25 blades in this set. There are fine-cut, universal, straight-cut, curve, and basic blades, five blades of each type. This is a lot of blades and the price isn’t steep on a per blade basis. The high-speed steel blades work beautifully with hardwood, but the set can work with just about any wood.
In fact, if you want your hardwood project to turn out great, you’re likely to need every blade type in the set. They’re also color-coded for easy identification.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
The blades work so well with hardwood, which isn’t the easiest to use a jigsaw on. They can also tackle softwood and even ceramics, but hardwood is the specialty of the Festool 204275.
Best Jigsaw Blade for Metal:
Bosch T321BF3
PROS
CONS
Our Review
You get 3 metal blades in one shot. They’re also available in a 100-piece pack! In any event, the Bosch T321BF3 blades aren’t messing around in terms of quality either. These are 12 TPI blades that can handle pretty fast cuts, which is particularly great for metal. They do require the application of a proper lubricant when cutting through metal, but you may already know that lubrication is required for high-friction cuts like metal.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
In addition to the fact that these are also available as a 100-piece pack, these are great for metal cutting and the blades are exceptionally long. They are 5-1/4” in total and 4-1/4” in cutting length. This is beyond the standard measurement and allows for more precise cuts.
Best Jigsaw Blade for Aluminum:
Lenox Tools 1991592
PROS
CONS
Our Review
Thanks to the Power Blast Technology, which uses high-speed blasting for higher strength, these Lenox blades are very durable. They’re bi-metal blades that use flexing to avoid breaking. The blade has been designed to last a long time, thanks to the T2 technology.
Unfortunately, the package contains only five blades. Still, the company has done everything in its power to increase the blade’s longevity and durability, so that the price tag is justified. In fact, it’s more than justified when you consider how long the blades will last. Especially if you’re looking to cut aluminum.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
These blades are made to cut aluminum, not the easiest to cut through. Everything from the flex technology, to the high-speed features, clicks perfectly with the aluminum use case. Although the blade can also be used with hardwood, softwood, even certain sturdier metals, it’s on aluminum that these blades truly shine.
Best Jigsaw Blade for Plastic:
Dewalt DW4856
PROS
CONS
Our Review
Selection is what you get with the Dewalt DW4856 set. Each blade has a different TPI rating, which means that they’re suitable for various situations. Although the kit has only 6 pieces, they are vastly different and all have their applications. This means that you can tackle any metal cutting endeavor and you can rest assured that you’ll be able to finish it.
To top things off, the set features Raker teeth. To put it simply, this type of teeth emphasizes the area of contact for faster cuts throughout, including when using high TPI blades.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
Perhaps the coolest thing about this jigsaw blade set is that the blades can also work with most mainstream reciprocating saws. This is particularly convenient for cutting metal, as jigsaws may not be able to access certain angles and areas. So, just take the blade out of the jigsaw and put it on your reciprocating saw. Simple as that!
Best Jigsaw Blade for Fiberglass:
Bosch T130RF1
PROS
CONS
Our Review
Fiberglass and glass require a special kind of blade to cut properly. Although ceramic can be cut using regular blades, those with a grit carbide matrix, like the Bosch T130RF1, will do a more pristine job. Yes, you only get one blade per package, and the price isn’t exactly low. However, this blade is built to last. It will take quite a while for you to get T130RF1 dull, and it might be even harder to break.
What Makes This Product Stand Out?
Easily the 30-grit carbide matrix. You could try cutting fiberglass or glass with a regular jigsaw blade, but you’re likely to end up breaking the whole thing. This is why you need a special type of blade, like the Bosch T130RF1, if you’re to cut these materials.
Jigsaw Blade Types
The primary difference in blade types is the material used to make the blade. Beyond that, there are also specialist blades that are designed to work with a specific range of materials.
Reverse-Tooth Blades
This blade type has teeth that point downward instead of upward. Essentially, this means that they cut on downstrokes rather than upstrokes. They are particularly useful for materials that splinter easily, like laminate just for one example.
Reverse-Tooth
Plunge-Cut Blades
Some jigsaw blades have a sharpened tip. This is so that it can perforate the surface before you attempt to cut it. Naturally, these blades are designed for use on softer materials.
Plunge-Cut
Scrolling Blades
This blade type is made for making tight curves when cutting and without breaking. Accomplished clean cuts and control are the signature of these blades. You’ll recognize them by how narrow they are compared to regular blades.
Scrolling Blades
T-Shank vs. U-Shank Blades
T-Shank versus U-Shank Blades
Although we’ve discussed the difference between T-shank and U-shank blades, let’s see which ones are better. As a rule of thumb, you’ll find a more extensive choice of T-shank blades than U-shank.
A significantly bigger selection means that it’s much easier to find a good T-shank blade, which implies that they are generally a better choice.
However, this doesn’t matter too much. There aren’t many jigsaws that take U-shank these days, as most manufacturers have moved away from those in favor of tool-less T-shank blades. But if you’re using a U-shank jigsaw, you should be able to use both U-shank and T-shank blades.
So, it's less of a question of which is better but rather of which is available and will work with your jigsaw.
How to Change a Jigsaw Blade
Whether you’re using a jigsaw that uses U-shanks or T-shanks, you’re going to have to:
- Practice proper safety. Unplug your jigsaw, or remove the battery or hose if necessary.
- Locate the blade clamping screw. If you can’t see it or get to it, cycle the jigsaw on and off until the clamping screw is in a reachable position. Remember to remove power from the jigsaw after testing andx before servicing.
- Use an Allen wrench or other appropriate tool to loosen the screw.
- Once loosened, remove the old blade (if any) and insert the new blade that you want to use.
- Once the blade is tucked in, tighten the clamping screw.
- Now, test the jigsaw. Be sure the blade is tested and tight before cutting.
Need more help? Make sure that you refer to the video below for a full overview of what has just been described.
Conclusion
Jigsaws are very convenient and useful tools, but they don’t mean a lot if you don’t have the right blade for the job. When selecting what blades to get, make sure to consider the material that you’re cutting. This is what matters the most as you don’t want to ruin your project for making the wrong choice.
People Also Ask
There are some common questions that you might be inclined to ask regarding jigsaw blades. Here are the answers, for your convenience.
What Type of Blade Fits Black & Decker Jigsaw?
Once you’ve figured out whether your jigsaw supports T-shanks or U-shanks, all brands of blades of the right type will work with a Black & Decker jigsaw.
That’s what the blades are made for and that’s how jigsaws are made. So, yes, you can use most jigsaws on any material type, provided that you have the right blade.
How Do I Change the Blade on My Bosch Jigsaw?
Depending on the model of your Bosch jigsaw, you may or may not have to use a tool to change the blade. In most cases, the screw is located above the handle, directly where the blade should be.
Insert a screwdriver, loosen it (but don’t take it out) until the blade is safe to remove. Do that and then put in the new blade and tighten the screw.
What Blades Fit Ryobi Jigsaw?
Depending on whether your Ryobi model accepts T-shanks or U-shanks, you’re going to have to get the right blade for your Ryobi jigsaw.
The best way to go would be to google your Ryobi jigsaw model and find out which type of blades it’s compatible with.
Why Does My Jigsaw Blade Bend?
Bi-metal blades use the flexing method to avoid breaking. These flexible blades are suitable for cutting aluminum and some other thin materials.
However, if your blade is made of other materials and it flexes too much, you might be using it too aggressively. Dial it down a notch.
How to Keep Jigsaw Blade from Bending
Well, to begin with, stop forcing the blade. If it’s not cutting smoothly, you might need another blade. Get familiar with the TPI rating – the lower it is (fewer teeth), the faster it’s going to cut, although not as smooth or precise as higher TPI blades.
On the other hand, if you’re using a high TPI blade to make smooth cuts, don’t expect quick cuts. Be sure to take your time and make sure to follow safety precautions.
How Wide Is a Jigsaw Blade?
This varies from model to model. Scrolling blades, for example, are particularly narrow. This is how they allow you to make clean, precise, and sharp turns. On the other hand, blades that are designed to cut through dense materials will be wider.
Can I Use a T-Shank Blade on a U-Shank Jigsaw
Many jigsaws that are compatible with U-shank blades will work with T-shank blades. However, there is no guarantee that a T-shank blade will work on your jigsaw, so you should do some research before proceeding with the purchase.