Bosch T101B vs T118A: Wood or Metal Jigsaw Blade?
By Nate Sawyer, Editor · Updated July 2026
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Bosch T101B 4 in. 10 TPI Clean-Cut Wood T-Shank Jigsaw Blades (5-Pack)
A 5-pack of 4 in. 10-TPI T-shank wood jigsaw blades with ground, side-set teeth for splinter-free edges in hardwood, plywood, and laminate. The T-shank fits roughly 90% of jigsaws with no adapter. Being high-carbon steel, they dull quickly and can't cut metal; the 10 TPI is slow, and the 4 in. length limits depth to about 1-1/4 in. stock.
| TPI | 10 variable pitch |
|---|---|
| Length | 4 in |
| Material | High-carbon steel (HCS) |
| Shank | T-shank |
| Best cut | Clean wood / plywood |
Bosch T118A 3-5/8 in. 17-24 TPI Basic-for-Metal T-Shank Jigsaw Blades (5-Pack)
A 5-pack of 3-5/8 in. 17-24 TPI T-shank HSS blades for sheet metal under about 1/8 in. The fine pitch keeps three teeth on thin stock so it won't snag or strip, and the wavy-set HSS teeth handle ferrous and non-ferrous sheet. The fine pitch is far too slow and clogs in wood, it stalls in thick plate, and teeth dull fast without cutting oil.
| TPI | 17-24 variable |
|---|---|
| Length | 3-5/8 in |
| Material | High-speed steel (HSS) |
| Shank | T-shank |
| Best cut | Sheet metal under 1/8 in |
Our verdict
The choice is entirely about material. The T101B is a 10 TPI high-carbon-steel blade that leaves a clean, splinter-free edge in wood, plywood and laminate but cannot touch metal. The T118A is a fine 17-24 TPI HSS blade that keeps multiple teeth on thin sheet metal so it will not snag, but it clogs and crawls in wood. Both share the universal T-shank, so keep both in the case and match the blade to the workpiece rather than trying to make one do both.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can you use a wood jigsaw blade on thin metal?
- No. The T101B is high-carbon steel at 10 TPI — it cannot cut metal or nails, and hitting either ruins the blade. Thin sheet metal needs the fine-pitch HSS T118A instead.
- Why do metal blades need so many teeth?
- To keep at least three teeth engaged on thin stock. The T118A's 17-24 TPI prevents the blade from snagging and stripping on sheet metal, which is exactly what a coarse wood blade does.
- What happens if you cut wood with the metal blade?
- It is far too slow and clogs badly. Fine pitch cannot clear wood chips, so the cut stalls and heats up. Match the blade to the material rather than trying to get one blade to do both.
- How thick a metal can the T118A handle?
- Sheet metal under about 1/8 inch. It stalls in thicker plate, and the HSS teeth overheat and dull quickly on longer runs without cutting oil.