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Best Jigsaw Blades Buying Guide
You will find some resemblance of a jigsaw blade with the traditional hand saw blade rather than the circular saw blade. It is known for its slow reciprocating motions that cut through wood efficiently. The quality and features of the blade define how smoothly and efficiently you can cut through an object with it. We’re here to help you choose the right one to invest in.
What Features To Check Before Buying a Jigsaw Blade?
Blade count
The blade count is the most crucial thing to check before buying a jigsaw blade. A set can have a low number of saw blades like 10, or it can be as high as 50 or 40. Although the number of saw blades does not have any link with the cutting efficiency of the blades, it affects the flexibility of the set. The more blades you have in the set, the more versatile your jobs can be. There is usually a tradeoff between price and blade count. Thus, when buying the jigsaw blades, make sure to get a box that has the most blades at a reasonable price.
Goodell David, founder of WoodWorking Clarity, says, “You also need to ensure that the jigsaw accepts a variety of blades and not just the ones made by the manufacturer.”
Blade teeth
The rating of saw blades is given in terms of their teeth per inch. A higher rating on a blade suggests that it has more teeth. Usually, you will find saw blades with 30 or 20 TPI (Teeth per Inch). A higher number of teeth offer better performance because it can cut through the object more effectively.
Carrying case
You will mostly find jigsaw blades nicely arranged in carrying cases. The case is handy, especially if you are going to transport your tools from one place to another. It is also ideal to have a carrying case for safety because the saw blades are sharp, and it can be dangerous to keep them lying around. The lifespan of the blades is also affected by the case. Tools catch rust and dust very easily, so you need to store them in a proper place. If your saw blades already come in a durable and safe case, you don’t have to worry about storage.
Warranty
Whenever we buy a product, we wish for it to last long. Thus, durability is always a key factor to consider when purchasing any product. The warranty does somewhat guarantee the durability of a product. The more extended the warranty, the less you have to worry about your product. In case your saw blades get damaged real soon, you can always claim their warranty. Thus, when buying a jigsaw blade, look for at least a 1 or 2 year-long warranty. Some of the brands also offer a three years warranty for customer trust and satisfaction.
Blade material
The material used for making a jigsaw blade defines its strength and quality. Various materials are used for making a jigsaw blade, such as bi-metal, high-speed steel, carbide, and high carbon steel. Each of these materials has its advantages:
- Carbide blades are an ideal choice if you are looking for blades to cut materials other than wood. You can use these blades for stainless steel, tile, or even glass.
- High carbon steel is best for cutting through objects that are made of a soft material. It is best to use these blades for softwood, soft plastic, or fiberboard.
- High-speed steel blades are for cutting non-ferrous metals. The abrasive resistance offered by the high-speed blades makes it a perfect option for copper and aluminum.
- The bi-metal blade is a combination of a high-speed blade and a carbon steel blade. It can cut through hard metals and is long-lasting.
Blade length
As you would have observed, saw blades vary in length. Longer blades can provide deeper cuts, and they can bend easily. If you have a blade with a long length and low TPI, you can still expect great results as the saw blades have more surface for cutting.
Blade width
Similar to the length of the saw blades, the width of the blades also varies. It can either be 3/8 inch or ¼ inch. A blade having a wider length of 3/8 inch is best suited for cutting gradual curves. On the other hand, thin saw blades with ¼ inch are perfect for cutting tighter curves. The best blade width depends on the requirements of your project.
Tooth direction
There are two directions in which a tooth can point; upwards or downwards. A jigsaw blade with standard tooth direction (pointing upwards) will cut on the upstroke. Thus, splintering will occur on the top of the board, and tear-out is on the back of the board.
On the other hand, a reverse tooth direction (pointing downwards) will cut on a downstroke, and you won’t have to flip the board over.
Blade shanks
When we went through the list of our top jigsaw blades, we mentioned T-shank, and now it’s time to look closely at it. There are three types of shanks: T-shank, bayonet shank, and U-shank.
A bayonet shank is no longer used in jigsaw blades. If you have a bayonet shank blade, it is probably time for you to change it. Companies moved towards a U-shank that clamps the blade in a secured position with the help of screws. You will need some basic tools to change the saw blades. These days, U-shank is also outdated, so blades made with it are relatively budget-friendly.
Most of the top jigsaw blades are using a T-shank design these days. A T-shank is a standard style and has become the favorite of most users. The small wings hold the blade in place and offer the user a comfortable grip. The best thing about these blades is that a button push is all it takes to change them.
Check the video from ‘seejanedrill’ to learn which jig saw blade is suitable for wood, metal, laminate & plexiglass.

People Also Asked
Can you cut tiles with jigsaw blades?
You can use jigsaw blades to cut through various materials, and tile is one of them. All you need to do is buy the right saw blade for the job. Carbide blades are most suitable for cutting ceramics and tiles. Other than carbide blades, blades with abrasive diamond can also efficiently cut through tiles.
What is the lifespan of a jigsaw blade?
There is no definite answer to this question because a blade's lifespan depends on its quality, usage, and many other factors. A jigsaw blade eventually wears down, and you can feel that it is losing its cutting ability. Mostly when people use the saw blade repeatedly, it loses its sharpness. However, you can always sharpen the jigsaw blades. Ensure that you don't force your blades to work if you can feel a prominent cutting resistance.
What is the best material for a jigsaw blade?
The material of a jigsaw blade defines how and where you can use it. All the materials used for making jigsaw blades have their pros and cons. Thus, to decide which material is the best, you need to consider your task. The material of the object that you are going to work with defines which saw blade material is the best.
How helpful are universal jigsaw blades?
A universal jigsaw blade is, of course, helpful if you don't have a blade for a specialized material. That said, you want to have blades specialized for whatever material you are cutting so they last longer and are more effective.
How does the number of teeth effect a blade's cut?
The more teeth a blade has, the slower it will cut. The fewer it has, the faster it will cut. That said, the blade with more teeth will also have a cleaner, smoother finish. There's no need to go overboard on the number of teeth, though. More is, sometimes, only marginally better.









