Technical Foundation
What Is a Jig Saw Blade?
Jigsaw blades mount to the saw via one of two shank styles — T-shank (the modern standard, tool-free clamping, dominant on current saws) or U-shank (older style, often requiring a screw clamp, still used on some saws) — and the shank type is not interchangeable between saw models without an adapter. Blade selection for material and cut quality is driven by teeth-per-inch (TPI): low TPI (6-10) cuts fast and aggressively through wood with a rougher edge, while high TPI (18-24) cuts slowly but leaves a smooth edge, needed for metal and fine finish work.
Blade material and tooth design are matched to the workpiece: high-carbon steel (HCS) blades are economical and flexible, suited to wood and softer materials; bi-metal blades combine a flexible steel body with hardened high-speed steel teeth, giving longer life and the ability to cut metal; and specialty tooth grinds (reverse-tooth for clean top-surface cuts on laminate, or tapered/scroll blades for tight-radius curve cutting) address specific cut quality or geometry needs beyond general straight cutting.
Prefer a quick quote?
Get Jig Saw Blades Pricing in Your Inbox
Skip the search — tell us the shank type, material you're cutting and TPI preference and we will come back with pricing.
| Spec | What It Means | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Shank Type | T-shank (tool-free) vs. U-shank (screw-clamp) | Must match your saw's blade clamp type — not interchangeable without an adapter |
| Teeth Per Inch (TPI) | 6 TPI (fast/rough) to 24+ TPI (slow/fine) | Lower TPI cuts faster with a rougher edge; higher TPI cuts slower but leaves a smoother, cleaner edge |
| Blade Material | High-carbon steel (HCS), bi-metal, carbide-tipped | HCS suits wood/softer materials; bi-metal and carbide-tipped are needed for cutting metal |
| Tooth Design | Standard, reverse-tooth (down-cut), taper-ground scroll | Reverse-tooth reduces splintering on the top (visible) surface, critical for laminate and finished veneer |
| Blade Length | Standard vs. extended length for thick material | Blade must fully clear the material thickness on the downstroke without the shank binding at the surface |
Shop Jig Saw Blades
Browse Jig Saw Blades Sub-Categories
Organised by shank type and cutting application. Pick a sub-category, or tell ChatMRO the material and cut type and let it match the blade.
How it works
From Half-Remembered Part Number to PO, in Three Steps.
Ask
Type an MPN, paste a spec sheet, or describe the part in plain English. ChatMRO understands engineer-speak.
Compare
Side-by-side specs, cross-references, and equivalents from multiple sources — without the clutter of endless browser tabs.
Quote & Buy
Request a quote or add to cart. Volume discounts, VAT-aware pricing, and consolidated procurement — all in one place.
Applications
Where Jig Saw Blades Get Used
Jigsaw blades are specified anywhere a portable saw needs to make curved, straight or plunge cuts across a range of material types and thicknesses.
Woodworking & Cabinetry
Curved and straight cuts in solid wood, plywood and laminate panels for furniture and cabinet fabrication.
Metal Fabrication & HVAC
Cutting sheet metal, ductwork and thin-gauge steel with bi-metal blades matched to metal cutting.
Plumbing & Electrical Rough-In
Cutting access openings and notches in framing, plastic pipe, and conduit during rough-in work.
General Construction & Remodeling
Versatile cutting across mixed material jobsite work, from framing to trim to plastic fixtures.
Plastics & Laminate Fabrication
Clean-edge cutting of acrylic, laminate and composite panel materials with fine-tooth or specialty blades.
FAQ
Jig Saw Blades Questions, Answered
What's the difference between T-shank and U-shank jigsaw blades?
T-shank blades have a T-shaped tab that locks into a tool-free clamping mechanism, standard on most modern jigsaws for fast blade changes. U-shank blades have a U-shaped tab that's typically secured with a screw clamp, found on older or some specific saw models. The two are not interchangeable without an adapter — check your saw's blade clamp type before ordering.
How do I choose the right TPI for my material?
Lower TPI (6-10 teeth per inch) removes material faster with a rougher cut edge, suited to fast rough cuts in wood. Higher TPI (18-24+) cuts more slowly but leaves a much smoother edge, needed for cutting metal or achieving a fine finish in wood. Match TPI to whether cutting speed or edge quality matters more for the job.
Can I use a wood-cutting blade to cut metal?
Not effectively or safely — wood blades are typically high-carbon steel (HCS), which dulls quickly or can even fracture against metal. Cutting metal requires a bi-metal or carbide-tipped blade with a much higher TPI and hardened tooth material designed for the harder, more abrasive nature of metal cutting.
What is a reverse-tooth jigsaw blade used for?
A reverse-tooth (down-cut) blade has teeth oriented to cut on the downstroke rather than the upstroke, which keeps the top (visible) surface of the material clean and free of splintering — important when cutting laminate flooring, veneered panels, or melamine where the top surface is the finished face.
Why does my jigsaw blade wander or produce an angled cut?
Blade wander is often caused by a blade that's too thin or flexible for the material thickness, cutting too fast for the TPI selected, or a dull blade being forced through the material rather than let it cut at its own pace. Using a wider or stiffer blade, slowing the feed rate, and replacing a dull blade typically resolves wandering cuts.
Keep browsing
Related Categories
Explore More
Find Your Next Part Now.
Describe a part number, spec or what it does.