Jigsaw Blade Guide — Every Blade Type, Material & Brand Explained

Introduction

A jigsaw is one of the most versatile power tools on a tradesperson’s shelf — but it only cuts as well as the blade you fit. The difference between a rough, slow cut and a clean, efficient one often comes down to choosing the right blade for the job.

This guide covers everything you need to know: blade types, materials, tooth counts, shank types, and how to match them to your cutting task. Whether you’re cutting wood, metal, plastic, or tile, you’ll find the blade type and model number to get the job done right.

Quick Reference Table: Blade Selection at a Glance

Understanding Jigsaw Blades: The Essentials

Blade Materials

High Carbon Steel (HCS) is the standard choice for wood and wood composites. HCS is sharp, affordable, and quick to dull — but that’s fine for softwood projects. When you see a Bosch T101B or T144D, you’re looking at HCS.

Bimetal (BIM) blades have HCS teeth welded to a flexible steel backing. This combination makes them far more durable than HCS, and they can cut through harder materials like metal, hardwoods, and composites. They cost more but last significantly longer in heavy-duty work. Look for this when cutting steel, stainless, or aluminium.

Carbide-coated blades are the premium option. Carbide edges stay sharp longest and can cut ceramics, glass, and very hard materials. Not essential for most tradespeople, but invaluable for tile work or specialist jobs.

Blade Shanks: T-Shank vs U-Shank

The shank is the part that grips into your jigsaw. Two standards dominate:

T-Shank (Bosch-style) is the modern standard. Nearly all new jigsaws accept T-shank blades, and they’re easier to change. If you’ve bought a jigsaw in the last 15 years, it almost certainly uses T-shank.

U-Shank (or pin-shank) is the older style. Older Makita, DeWalt, and Milwaukee models may still use it. If your jigsaw has a blade with a pin sticking out the top, you need U-shank blades. Check your tool manual if you’re unsure.

For a detailed comparison with specific tool models, see Are Jigsaw Blades Universal? T-Shank vs U-Shank Compatibility.

Teeth Per Inch (TPI) — The Most Important Number

TPI is the count of teeth along one inch of the blade. It’s the single most important number when choosing a blade:

Lower TPI (6–10) = faster cutting but rougher finish. Use for rip cuts in softwood, fast demolition work, or thick materials.

Mid-range TPI (10–14) = balanced speed and finish. Works for general-purpose wood cutting and composites like plywood and MDF.

Higher TPI (18+) = slower cutting but very smooth finish, essential for metal, thin materials, and laminate. The finer the teeth, the more cuts per second, and the cooler the blade stays.

For a complete TPI reference by material, see Jigsaw Blade TPI Guide — What Teeth Per Inch for Every Material.

Cutting Direction: Standard vs Reverse Tooth vs Scroll

Standard (up-cut) teeth point upward and pull the material toward the baseplate. This is the default for most blades.

Reverse-tooth blades cut on the downstroke, which reduces splintering on the top face of the material. Use them for visible cuts in plywood and faced board (cabinet sides, shelving). In Bosch’s range, an R in the code marks reverse teeth (T101BR) and an O marks a narrow blade for curves (T101AO).

Scroll blades have a wavy or asymmetrical tooth pattern, allowing very tight radius turns. These are specialist blades for intricate fretwork.

Choosing the Right Blade by Material

Wood Cutting

For softwood (pine, fir, plywood), a standard HCS blade with 6–10 TPI is ideal. If you want a smoother finish or are cutting hardwood, step up to 8–12 TPI. Bosch T101B and T101BF are reliable all-rounders.

For plywood and MDF, use a finer blade (10–12 TPI) to reduce splintering. A reverse-tooth blade (Bosch T101BR) minimises chip-out on the visible face.

See the full wood guide at What Jigsaw Blade for Cutting Wood?

Metal Cutting

Metal needs a metal blade: high-speed steel (HSS), such as the Bosch T118A for sheet steel 1–3 mm, or bi-metal (BIM), such as the T118BF (1.9–2.3 mm progressive teeth) for sheet 2.5–6 mm. Bi-metal blades resist breaking better (Bosch).

Never force a metal blade; feed slowly and let the tool do the work. Lubricate thick steel with light machine oil to keep the blade cool.

See the full metal guide at What Jigsaw Blade for Cutting Metal?

Plastic, Laminate & Composites

Plastics, PVC, and laminate all need fine-tooth HCS or BIM blades (10–14 TPI) to avoid chipping. Feed slowly and let the blade do the work — pushing too hard will generate heat and potentially melt the material.

Brand-Specific Jigsaw Blade Compatibility

Most modern jigsaws accept Bosch T-shank blades as the universal standard. However, some brands and older models have proprietary recommendations:

• Makita — Modern Makita jigsaws accept T-shank blades universally. Older models may use U-shank. See Makita Jigsaw Blade Compatibility.
• DeWalt — DeWalt jigsaws (20V MAX and compact models) all use T-shank blades. See DeWalt Jigsaw Blade Compatibility.
• Milwaukee — Milwaukee M18 and M12 jigsaws accept T-shank blades. See Milwaukee Jigsaw Blade Compatibility.
• Bosch — Bosch is the T-shank standard. All Bosch jigsaws use Bosch T-shank blades, naturally. See Bosch Jigsaw Blade Compatibility.
• Ryobi — Ryobi ONE+ jigsaws accept T-shank blades. See Ryobi Jigsaw Blade Compatibility.

If you’re unsure whether your jigsaw accepts T-shank or U-shank blades, check the manual or pull the current blade — the shank design is obvious from inspection.

Safety Essentials

A few critical safety points:

• Always fit the blade with the teeth pointing upward toward the baseplate. An inverted blade will break immediately.
• Ensure the blade is fully seated and locked. A loose blade will rattle and break.
• Check that the blade has no cracks or damage before each use.
• Wear eye protection — jigsaw work can throw fine dust and splinters.
• Clamp or secure your workpiece. Never hold it by hand near the cutting path.
• For metal cutting, wear gloves or handle the blade carefully — the fine teeth are very sharp.

For a complete safety guide with jigsaw-specific recommendations, see Jigsaw Blade Safety Guide.

Popular Blade Sets & Where to Buy

Most tradespeople buy blades in sets to cover the most common jobs. A good starter set includes a few HCS blades for wood (different TPI) and at least one BIM blade for occasional metal work.

Bosch 30-Piece Jigsaw Blade Set on Amazon — contents vary by set: Bosch’s 30-piece Tough Box (2 607 010 903) holds T119BO, T111C and T118A blades. Check the contents list before you buy.

WORKPRO Jigsaw Blade Set on Amazon — budget-friendly mixed set with good variety.

Recommended Products

Product	Details
	Bosch 30-Piece Set View on Amazon
	WORKPRO 25-Piece Set View on Amazon
	DeWalt DT2294 10-Piece Set View on Amazon

Watch: Video Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any jigsaw blade in any jigsaw?

Not quite. Most modern jigsaws (post-2005) use Bosch T-shank blades, and these are interchangeable across brands. However, older jigsaws and some specialist models use U-shank (pin-shank) blades, which are not compatible. Check your tool manual or inspect your current blade to determine which type you need.

What does TPI mean?

TPI stands for Teeth Per Inch. It’s the number of teeth along one inch of the blade. Lower TPI (6–10) cuts faster but rougher; higher TPI (18+) cuts slower but smoother. Always match TPI to your material — thick wood uses 6–10 TPI, thin metal uses 24+ TPI.

Why do my jigsaw blades keep breaking?

Blades typically break because they’re being forced or twisted during the cut. Common causes: pushing too hard, twisting the tool side-to-side, using the wrong blade for the material (wrong TPI), or a loose blade in the chuck. Feed slowly and let the blade do the work.

Is a higher TPI always better?

No. Higher TPI gives a finer finish but cuts more slowly. For thick softwood, a low TPI (6–10) blade will be faster and more efficient. Save high TPI blades for thin materials, metal, or when you need a smooth finish. Match the TPI to the job.

Can I use a wood blade to cut metal?

Not safely. Wood blades wear out or break in steel. Use a metal blade: high-speed steel, such as the Bosch T118A for sheet steel 1–3 mm, or bi-metal, such as the T118BF for 2.5–6 mm.

How often should I replace my jigsaw blades?

Replace a blade when it stops cutting cleanly or feels dull — you’ll notice the tool struggling and producing a rough finish. Bi-metal blades generally last longer than high-carbon steel blades in hard material. There’s no fixed schedule; go by how the tool feels.

What’s the difference between Bosch T101B and T101BF?

Both have 2.7 mm progressive teeth. The T101B is high-carbon steel (HCS) for softwood and plywood; the T101BF is bi-metal (BIM) for hardwood, laminated panels and MDF, and lasts longer in hard or abrasive material (Bosch).