Jigsaw blades are one of the few saw blade types that have moved towards a universal standard. Nearly all modern cordless jigsaws — Makita, DeWalt, Milwaukee, Bosch, and Ryobi — use T-shank blades, which means you can use a blade from any brand in any T-shank jigsaw.
That said, older jigsaws used U-shank blades (a wider, two-pin design), and a few budget models still do. If you’re not sure what your jigsaw takes, this guide will help you identify it and find compatible blades.
T-Shank vs U-Shank: The Key Difference
The difference between T-shank and U-shank blades is purely mechanical — how the blade locks into the chuck (the blade holder on the jigsaw).
| Feature | T-Shank | U-Shank |
|---|---|---|
| Shape at base | Single slot (looks like a T when viewed from the side) | Two circular holes at the bottom |
| Current standard? | Yes — introduced by Bosch, now universal on modern saws | Older design — rarely found on cordless jigsaws now |
| Interchangeable? | All T-shank blades fit all T-shank saws | Only fits U-shank saws (older models) |
| Brands using T-shank now | Makita, DeWalt, Milwaukee, Bosch, Ryobi (all cordless) | Not commonly used on new saws |
How to tell which you have: Look at the blade holder on your jigsaw. If the blade slides straight down into a single vertical slot, it’s T-shank. If there are two small holes where two pins hold the blade, it’s U-shank.
Jigsaw Blade Compatibility by Brand
Here are the cordless jigsaw models from the five major brands and their blade requirements:
| Brand | Popular Models | Blade Type | Compatible Blades |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makita | DJV180Z, DJV182Z, DJV181Z (18V LXT) | T-Shank | Any T-shank blade (Bosch, DeWalt, Milwaukee, own-brand) |
| DeWalt | DCS331N, DCS334N, DCS335N (18V XR) | T-Shank | Any T-shank blade |
| Milwaukee | M18 FJS-0X, M18 BJS-0X, M18 FUEL (18V) | T-Shank | Any T-shank blade |
| Bosch | PST 18 LI, GST 18V-LI, UniversalSaw 18V-100 | T-Shank | Any T-shank blade (Bosch invented the standard) |
| Ryobi | R18JS-0, R18JS (ONE+ 18V) | T-Shank | T-shank blades (some users report occasional fitment issues with third-party blades) |
Legacy note: Older Makita DJV180 (without Z) and some DeWalt DCS330 models used U-shank. If you own one of these, you’ll need U-shank blades, but these are becoming harder to find in the UK. Consider upgrading to a modern T-shank jigsaw.
Jigsaw Blade Types by Material & Tooth Count
Once you know your jigsaw takes T-shank, the next choice is the blade itself. Blades come in different tooth counts (TPI — teeth per inch), materials, and designs, each suited to cutting different materials.
| Material to Cut | TPI (Teeth Per Inch) | Blade Material | Example Blade | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood (general & rough) | 6–10 | High-carbon steel (HCS) | Bosch T101B | Fast cutting, good for demolition and rough work. Wears quickly on hardwoods. |
| Hardwood & clean wood cuts | 10–14 | Bi-metal (HCS teeth with hardened back) | Bosch T101A | Longer life than HCS. Good balance of speed and finish. |
| Laminate, plywood, veneered boards | 14–20 | Bi-metal, often reverse-tooth | Bosch T101BR | Reverse-tooth design reduces chipping on the top surface. Slower but cleaner cuts. |
| Thin sheet metal, aluminium | 17–24 | HSS (High-speed steel) or Bi-metal | Bosch T118A | Fine teeth prevent binding. Can overheat — use coolant if available. |
| Thick steel, stainless | 14–16 | Bi-metal | Bosch T118B | Teeth further apart to clear swarf. Slower cut, more durable on hard metal. |
| Ceramic, tile, glass | N/A (carbide grit, no teeth) | Carbide grit | Specialist carbide blades | Specialist blades with abrasive grit. Much slower cutting speed. |
| Plastic, acrylic, PVC | 10–20 | HCS or Bi-metal | Bosch T118PF (fine) | Fine teeth reduce melting and chipping. Keep the saw cool. |
Most Popular Jigsaw Blades Available in the UK
These are the blade sets and individual blades most commonly stocked by UK retailers and easiest to find on Amazon:
Best All-Round Blade Set
Bosch T-Shank Bi-Metal Assorted Set — Includes T101A (general wood), T101BR (laminate), and T118A (metal). Covers 90% of home and professional use.
Buy Bosch T-shank blade set on Amazon
Best for Wood Cutting
Bosch T101B (High-carbon steel, 6 TPI) — Fast, aggressive cut. Perfect for rough demolition, pallets, and general construction. Budget-friendly.
Best for Laminate & Veneered Boards
Bosch T101BR (Bi-metal, 14 TPI, reverse-tooth) — The reverse-tooth design cuts from both directions, preventing chip-out on the top surface. Essential for kitchen worktops and veneered panels.
Best for Metal Cutting
Bosch T118A (HSS, 24 TPI) — Fine teeth, designed specifically for thin metal, aluminium sheets, and soft metals. Slower cut than wood blades but much more precise.
Best Budget Set
Makita 791303-0 (Mixed T-shank set) — Includes wood and metal blades. Solid mid-range option if you own a Makita jigsaw and want matched blades.
Buy Makita jigsaw blade set on Amazon
Best DeWalt Blades
DeWalt DT2299QZ (Mixed T-shank set) — Five blades covering wood, laminate, and metal. Designed for DeWalt jigsaws but fit any T-shank saw.
Buy DeWalt jigsaw blades on Amazon
Best Milwaukee Blades
Milwaukee 48-25-2000 (Mixed T-shank set) — Includes general wood, fine wood, and metal blades. Fits any T-shank jigsaw.
Buy Milwaukee jigsaw blades on Amazon
Best Budget Single Blade
Bosch T101AO (Bi-metal, 10 TPI) — A middle-ground blade for general wood and soft materials. One of the cheapest good-quality single blades you can buy.
Key Compatibility Notes
Ryobi T-shank fitment: Some Ryobi users report that third-party T-shank blades (particularly DeWalt and Milwaukee branded) occasionally have a loose or slightly tight fit in the Ryobi R18JS chuck. This is likely due to manufacturing tolerances. Bosch and Makita blades are reported to fit more reliably. If you’re buying third-party blades for a Ryobi jigsaw, check reviews from other Ryobi users first.
Blade quality varies within T-shank: All T-shank blades fit all T-shank saws, but budget blades from unknown manufacturers may dull quickly or break under heavy use. Stick with established brands: Bosch, Makita, DeWalt, Milwaukee, or Ryobi.
TPI matters more than brand: Once you know your saw takes T-shank, the choice of blade (by TPI and material) matters far more than which brand you buy. A Bosch T101B in a Makita jigsaw will cut exactly the same as a Makita-branded T101B.
Brand-Specific Jigsaw Pages
For detailed guidance on which blades fit your specific saw model, see:
- What jigsaw blades fit Makita jigsaws?
- What jigsaw blades fit DeWalt jigsaws?
- What jigsaw blades fit Milwaukee jigsaws?
- What jigsaw blades fit Bosch jigsaws?
- What jigsaw blades fit Ryobi jigsaws?
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “TPI” mean?
TPI stands for teeth per inch. It’s the number of cutting teeth in a one-inch length of blade. Lower TPI (6–10) means faster, rougher cuts — good for demolition. Higher TPI (18+) means slower, finer cuts — good for laminate and metal. The relationship is simple: fewer teeth per inch = bigger gullets (spaces between teeth) = more room for sawdust = faster feed but rougher finish.
Why do jigsaw blades have reverse teeth?
Reverse-tooth blades (like Bosch T101BR) have some teeth pointing backward. As the blade cuts on the downstroke and upstroke, the reverse teeth reduce chipping on the top surface of the wood or laminate. This produces a much cleaner cut on veneered surfaces but is slower than a standard blade. Use reverse-tooth blades when appearance matters (kitchen worktops, decorative cuts) and standard blades when speed matters (demolition, rough cuts).
Can I use a metal-cutting blade to cut wood?
Technically yes, but it’s inefficient. A 24-TPI metal blade will cut wood slowly and produce a fine, powdery dust rather than shavings. You’ll also dull the blade much faster than if you used a wood-specific blade. Use the right blade type for the material — it’s cheaper in the long run.
How long should a jigsaw blade last?
It depends on the material and blade type. A high-carbon steel blade (like T101B) cutting softwood might last 30–50 linear metres before dulling. A bi-metal blade cutting hardwood or laminate might last 100+ metres. Metal cutting blades dull much faster, sometimes after 10–20 metres of steel cutting. When the blade stops cutting cleanly or starts burning the material, it’s time to replace it.
Are expensive jigsaw blades worth it?
Mid-range blades (Bosch, Makita, DeWalt standard lines) offer the best value. Premium branded blades last somewhat longer but cost significantly more. Budget unknown-brand blades are often a false economy — they dull quickly. For most home and small professional use, stick with Bosch T-series or equivalent from Makita, DeWalt, or Milwaukee.
Can I use a jigsaw blade that’s slightly bent?
No. A bent blade will bind, overheat, and potentially snap. Always use a straight blade. If a blade bends, it’s usually a sign you were pushing too hard or the blade was already dulled. Discard it and fit a fresh one.