A scroll saw is the machine in the woodworking world experts turn to for intricate curves and designs. Since the work is so delicate, the wrong scroll saw blades can single-handedly ruin months of hard work. You can prevent this by purchasing the right ones, and our expert woodworking engineers took the time to find the top scroll saw blades out there.
Reviews of the Top Scroll Saw Blades
1. Olson Saw SP46500
Scroll saw blades come in a wide variety, and our expert woodworkers vouch for spiral blades for highly detailed cuts from every direction. More specifically, the Olson SP46500 spiral scroll saw blades are great for 0 radius scroll and fret work. Spiral scroll saw blades handle all the turning for you, so you never have to adjust your workpiece.
The hardened and tempered carbon steel spiral tooth scroll blades have a 36 TPI (teeth per inch) with a 0.41-inch kerf that are designed to stay sharper for longer. The durability will guarantee it lasts longer than other packs that have more than one blade.
What We Like
- Can cut up to ¾-inch thick wood
- 360-degree spiral blades
- Cuts in all directions
- Made from tempered carbon steel
- Hardened for durability
- Very sharp blade
- 36 teeth per inch
- 0.41-inch kerf
- Excellent for bevels
- No need to rotate workpiece
What We Don’t Like
- May not fit every scroll saw
- Not the right blade for perfectly straight lines
2. Flying Dutchman Ultra Reverse Scroll Saw Blade
The Flying Dutchman Ultra Reverse scroll saw blades may seem very pricey, but there is a reason behind the high cost. In fact, it is what our team prefers to use for high cutting speeds. This is because these pinless blades have every third tooth reversed, which prevents splintering and supports smooth cuts.
If you’re looking for aggressively fast cuts, you won’t get much better blades for the job than a pinless reverse skip tooth blade. These milled blades give a sharper edge, and these Flying Dutchman blades in particular are crafted in Germany with top-quality hardened steel.
What We Like
- Strong hardened steel
- Great for fast cuts
- Facilitates a smooth cut
- Every third tooth is reversed
- Pinless design
- Milled blades
- Made in Germany
- 5-inch long blades
- Top seller for Flying Dutchman
What We Don’t Like
- Pricier than most packs
- Not recommended for metal
3. BOSCH SS5-15PL
As always, our team follows the priciest option with one in a more affordable price range. The BOSCH SS5-15PL scroll saw blades come in a pack of 4, and measure at 5 inches each. They are plain end blades for scroll saws and are highly recommended by our experts for plastic.
Of course, to enhance precision, these blades have been sharpened to make the most detailed cuts. There is a variety of TPIs, but these ones come with 15, which can handle most standard jobs on wood, plastic, and some metals.
They are of great value, pinless, and easy to use.
Pros
- Plain end blades for your scroll saw
- 15 TPI
- Great for wood, plastic and certain metals
- Precision sharpened
- Long lasting
- USA originated
- Pack of 4
- Budget friendly
What We Don’t Like
- Can’t cut ferrous metals
- A little thin
4. Olson Saw FR49400
Olson scroll saw blades are our woodworking team’s favorite, which is why it makes many appearances on the list. The Olson FR49400 skip tooth blades come in a pack of 36, which gives you more value for your money.
If you’re looking for a very versatile blade pack, look no further. The FR49400 can handle wood, bronze, copper, rubber, and plastic to name a few materials. Made with carbon steel, the skip tooth blades can support fast cuts and smooth finishes for the most intricate and refined cuts.
You also get a wide variety of TPIs ranging from 11.5, 12.5, and 20 for more variety.
What We Like
- Thirty-six skip tooth blades
- Plain end for hand saw or machine
- Fast cuts
- Good chip clearance
- Smooth finishes
- Suggested for non-ferrous metals
- Many teeth counts
- Made from high carbon steel
- Blade variety pack
What We Don’t Like
- Not for ferrous metals
- Not pin end scroll saw blade
5. Olson Saw FR42003
Another type of blade for the scroll saw we have on the list is the Olson Saw FR42003 pack, which consists of reverse tooth pin end saw blades. Pin end saw blades are generally easier to change, which is why our team members prefer them.
You get a pack of 6 blades with widely-spaced teeth, which are ideal for fast cutting. These saw blades are our go-to for high speeds. You will notice absolutely no splints, just clean cuts on both sides of the material.
These pin end scroll blades are suitable for handheld saws and machine saws on a variety of materials.
What We Like
- Pack of 6
- Great for hard and soft woods
- Reverse teeth
- Suitable for cutting plastic
- Pin end scroll blades
- Made in the USA
- Heavy duty
- Widely-spaced teeth
- Delivers fast and smooth cuts
- 9 TPI
What We Don’t Like
- Not the best for slow cuts
- Not the best for thin sheets of material
6. Olson Saw FR43001
Are you looking for smaller pin end saw blades? Then the Olson Saw FR43001 is our team’s choice. These skip tooth pin end blades are only 3 inches long, so make sure they give enough clearance for the job at hand.
Since they are smaller than most other blades, our experts only recommend it for thin sheets of material, which is a nice contrast to our option above. You get 15 TPI, and these pins are the best for cutting intricate shapes on hobby scroll saws.
Plastic, wood, and non-ferrous metals [1] are no match for the FR43001, but keep in mind they give a medium smooth finish.
What We Like
- Skip tooth style
- 15 TPI
- Smaller than an average blade
- For hobby saws
- Pin end scroll blades
- Recommended for thin sheets
- Pack of 6
- Recommended for older models
What We Don’t Like
- May not fit new saw models
- Some users may not prefer the small size
7. OLSON SAW PG49802
The Olson PG49802 blade type is the best for fast cuts, thanks to the incredibly sharp teeth. It’s the brand’s pride and joy for it is the most accurate blade made for exceptionally precise cuts. Whether it’s tight corners or curves, the PG49802 can handle it with grace.
They are double tooth blades that have two teeth together followed by a flat space. This design helps with chip removal for smooth edges.
Made from high-quality carbon steel, the 18 blade variety pack has nothing but premium blades and you can upgrade your already accurate scroll saw to a higher level of precision.
What We Like
- Widely-spaced gullets (single tooth width gap)
- Blade performs with precision in mind
- High-quality scroll saw
- More teeth than the standard blade
- Fast and smooth cuts
- Carbon steel blade material
- Great for hardwoods
- Stays sharp for very long
What We Don’t Like
- Poorly packaged
- Blades are not separated in packaging
8.Olson Saw CT62900
The CT62900 crown tooth blade Olson makes is our team’s choice for cutting wood and plastics up to ¾ of an inch thick. There are only 6 teeth per inch, as crown tooth blades are best for fretwork, and slow up and down motions. The Olson CT62900 saw blades offer smooth and clean finishes that are splinter-free.
The plain ends are easy to install with your scroll saw and you can just turn over the saw blades for a new set of sharp teeth ready to tackle the task. The thicker blades will stay very sharp for a lot longer.
What We Like
- 0.53-inch wide
- 6 teeth per inch
- Splinter-free edges
- Thicker blade
- Great for delicate fretwork
- Plain end blades
- 5 inches long
- Stays sharp
What We Don’t Like
- Only one blade in the pack
- Not pinned blades
Scroll Saw Blades Buyer’s Guide
Size and Thickness
Scroll saw blades don’t usually exceed 5 inches, so the size isn’t difficult to find, but there are shorter ones that are around 3 inches, and our experts made sure to include that just in case you have an older saw model.
However, the thickness of the blade is something that is very important. The thickness will determine how long-lasting the blade is, and how strong and tough it is. In general, a thicker blade will have a longer lifespan, but they aren’t recommended by our expert woodworkers for intricate and detailed cuts.
If the work you are doing is highly complex, then our team members suggest a thinner blade. As you can imagine, thinner blades are more delicate than thicker ones – but not by too much. These thinner blades excel at the finer cuts, but since they do not last as long, they usually come in an assortment pack.
Teeth
Next, you have the teeth count and type to consider. The teeth on the best scroll saw blade will determine what material you can cut through and the speeds at which you can do it while still maintaining the best results.
The teeth are depicted as the TPI of a blade, or teeth per inch. It basically pertains to the density of the teeth, which affects how widely they are spaced. The more teeth per inch a blade has, the better it is for slower speeds while still delivering a smooth finish. Blades with fewer teeth per inch are better for fast cuts that don’t sacrifice precision or finish.
Why does a higher teeth count cut faster? It’s because there is less space for a higher number, so you will find small teeth on a higher TPI. The small size means less wood is removed, but you get a smoother result. Since these blades are thinner, the smaller teeth blades tend to snap more easily.
Since we’re talking about blades for scroll saws, it is difficult to find models that have more than 10 teeth per inch.
Material Quality
The durability of the scroll saw blades depend heavily on the material. You will most likely find saw blades made from premium-grade steel. It’s important to find top-grade hardened steel if possible, as it increases the robustness of the saw blades.
Our team wouldn’t recommend choosing a blade based on the material as the top priority. The material will impact the thickness of the blade, which then affects the cut and speed. Our woodworking engineers say the type of blade you pick, thickness, and teeth count should take precedence over the material.
Blade Type
You will have noticed the wide variety of blade types our team has included on our list. For those new to scroll saws or experts who just need a quick reminder, the blade type matters when it comes to what you can cut.
Let’s start with the most basic blade – the standard scroll saw blade. They are very common, perhaps the most common, and they also have the simplest design. Each tooth on a standard scroll saw blade is evenly spaced and all the same size. You can find both low and high TPIs with standard blades, and they are designed to balance the cutting speed with a smooth finish.
The skip tooth blade has a name that alludes to its design. They are similar to standard blades in the sense that they also have uniform teeth, but with every other tooth missing. The open space between blades is referred to as the gullet. Therefore, skip tooth blades have half the number of teeth the standard blades feature. Skip tooth blades are meant for faster cuts.
They are not the easiest to handle, which is why our team members do not suggest this type of blade for beginners. What they can do is create very very smooth cuts that don’t need much touching up after aside from a simple rub with sandpaper.
The reverse skip tooth blades, like the Flying Dutchman option on our list, have a skip tooth pattern on one half, and a reverse version of the top half on the bottom. The interesting design reduces splinters, cracking, and splitting on your material, and you will see fine and smooth results on both sides. However, these blades wear out faster, and you will see a more obvious pileup of sawdust.
Then you have precision ground blades, which we also feature on our list. The PGT blades are usually skip tooth, and each tooth is ground for sharpness and precision. Since they are thinner and have a sharper cutting edge, it’s the type of blade our experts recommend for the finest details.
Spiral blades, which is our number one scroll saw blade choice, can cut in every direction and eliminates the need for you to manually rotate your workpiece. The cut is a little rougher, so be prepared to smooth down the edges by hand after.
Lastly, we have the crown tooth blade, which we also feature on our list. It is a newer type of scroll saw blade to the scene, and it is meant for control, and also excels at cutting plexiglass, plastic, and some types of wood.
What type should you pick? Our team says scroll saw users will benefit most from more than one time. If you can, purchase all of the above types to curate an excellent blade collection. This way, you will always have a blade for the project you’re working on.
Attachment Options
How do you know if blades for scroll saws are easy to change and attach? There are two types – the pin end scroll saw blade and pinless blades.
In general, pinned blades are larger in size, and we recommend them for straighter cuts. Older scroll saws usually have pinned blades, so make sure this type will work with your device. For ease of installation, pinned blades are better because you simply slip the pins into the holes.
On the contrary, pinless scroll saw blades are smaller in size and also lighter weight. Instead of straight lines, the pinless design is better for small and precise cuts. They are not as easy to install as the pin end scroll saw blade, which means you will need to take some time to switch them out.
Again, our experts suggest purchasing both (if your saw is compatible), just so you have more options when you work on different projects.
Purpose/Complexity of Patterns
What do you need the scroll saw blade for? Consider the complexity of the pattern you want to cut using the scroll saw, the material you’re cutting and the overall purpose to decide which type of scroll saw blade is the best for you.
For intricate designs, most scroll saws will need blades with smaller teeth. For basic and straight cuts, look for a scroll saw blade with larger and more spaced out teeth. Again, our experts recommend a blade set so you can have replacement blades for every task.
Advantages of Scroll Saw Blades
Are scroll saw blades worth all the hype? Yes, they are, if your job or hobby mainly consists of making intricate cuts. A scroll saw blade set will undoubtedly give you accuracy and precision over all the finer details. Whether it is with smaller pieces or more delicate designs, a scroll saw blade set will meet your needs.
In fact, the scroll saw blade is designed specifically for the more complex designs, as long as you fit them with compatible scroll saws. Whether it’s softwood or hardwood, you can find a dozen scroll saw designs that can handle the material you are working on.
Any type of blade dulls with heavy use, but scroll saw blades often come in packs and many are made with thicker materials that will guarantee a longer lifespan. A scroll saw blade also gives a better finish, which delivers a more refined cut in one go, and minimizes the amount of sanding and polishing a woodworker needs to do.
Since you’re working on such fine cuts with a scroll saw blade, it also happens to enhance your skills as a carpenter. You will become more precise and skilled at the specialized cuts.
Why Change the Blades of Your Scroll Saw?
Our team of carpenters suggest having an assortment of blades handy whenever you need to switch out the factory blade on your scroll saw. Why? Because like any other blade, scroll saw blades will wear out and dull over time.
It’s not only unideal, but a dull blade can impact the precision you can carry out and even compromise your safety. Dull blades can stick, snap, and take much more force to cut through materials, which will increase the chances of woodworkers accidentally hurting themselves.
Dull blades also create more friction, which could mean higher chances of burning and sparks.
How to Properly Change Scroll Saw Blades
Now that you know the importance of changing scroll saw blades, it’s also crucial to understand how to do it properly so you don’t hurt yourself.
The first step is to unplug the scroll saw and make sure the blade is fully halted. Once the blade is stationary, you can then proceed to release the blade tension and loosen or remove the blade mounts. Take out the old blade, place the new blade into the correct position, and tighten the blade mounts around the blade.
Adjust the blade tension before plugging the scroll saw back in and test it out on a piece of scrap wood to make sure everything is working as it should.
(For tool blade services, you can also depend on these top-tier saw blade sharpening services available in the US)
FAQ
How do I choose a scroll saw blade?
You can choose a scroll saw blade by assessing the type of material you work with and how complex and intricate the cuts are. The answer to these questions will determine the TPI (teeth per inch), the type of blade, and the size and thickness you choose.
What are spiral scroll saw blades used for?
The spiral scroll saw is used for all types of materials and cuts in any direction. It gives woodworkers and carpenters more convenience since there is no need to rotate the workpiece to make certain cuts. They are usually quite thick as well, which contributes to a longer lifespan.
Our Top Pick For a Scroll Saw Blade:
Olson Saw SP46500
Our top pick for the best scroll saw blade is Olson SP46500 Spiral Blade. Our experts stress again that the right one for you will depend on a variety of factors, but we love the simplicity and ease the spiral saw blades provide. Made from carbon steel, these blades last long, are hardened and tempered to stay sharp and cut from all directions.
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