Best jab saw | Top 7 options for cutting drywall, trimming, & pruning
by Joost Nusselder |Updated on: September 29, 2022
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Drywall inner sidewalls always need a small yet strong and sturdy tool to cut or carve features out. For this, there are no alternatives to a jab saw.
But also for quick cutting, trimming, or pruning jobs (both indoors and outdoors), a jab saw will come in handy. It’s a simple but versatile tool that should have a place in any DIYer’s toolbox.
If you’re looking to purchase a jab saw, you’ll find there are tons of options on the market. Which one is the best for your purposes?
In this post, I’ll tell you what to look for in a good jab saw, show you some of my favorite choices, and provide a detailed review of each.
My top-rated jab saw choice is this Stanley 20-556 6-inch FatMax Jab Saw. Its combination of an ergonomically-designed, slip-resistant handle and its sharp tip will allow it to penetrate almost any material, and cut with ease. It has a slightly higher TPI than most jab saws in its class, and the teeth on its blade are also up to 5x more durable than a standard-tooth blade, which means you’ll be able to use it for many years to come.
But perhaps you’re looking for a more portable jab saw, or a slightly more heavy-duty one for professional jobs. I’ll show you my top 7 best jab saws so you can make the best choice.
This Stanley 6-inch long jab saw as 8 sharp teeth per inch (TPI) to help make your cuts as smooth as possible. It is ergonomically designed and very durable. In short the best overall choice for me.
The Tarvol jab saw is a handy multifunctional tool for in and around the house. Due to it’s compact design, it’s also good for hiking, camping, trimming, and hunting.
Aggressive Tooth Design of the hand saw cuts up to 50% faster than traditional tooth designs. The handsaw is suited for multiple materials and is very durable.
Although there are hundreds of jab saws available in the market with effective features embedded, it’s difficult to pick up the best one or at least the most effective one.
To find the best jab saw, you need to focus on its blades, the tip of the blade, TPI (teeth per inch) in the blade, handle type, handle composition materials, handle structure, etc.
These are the key features to get the best out of many commercial products in the market.
Here’s a list of things to keep your eyes on while choosing a jab saw.
Blade type
There are 2 types of jab saws:
Fixed blade
Foldable blade
If you’re planning on buying a jab saw on a budget, then the fixed blade types are preferable.
However, a foldable jab saw will help to keep the saw safe in your pocket. It also makes it more portable.
Handle
Comfort in using anything is often the highest priority. The blades get a lesser priority than the handle type when this fact is considered.
Wooden handles are the cheapest and most common type of handle on jab saws. They aren’t as ergonomic as other saw handles though.
When choosing rubber handles, look for a hardened one that’ll give you extra comfort. Plastic may seem better if designed to be more work-friendly.
The most important thing about a jab saw handle is that it won’t slip from your hand. An ergonomic and firm grip makes it safer to use and prevents the tool from sliding away when you apply pressure.
Blade teeth pattern
Most jab saws have similar alligator teeth. Even the lengths and patterns of the teeth are identical in many aspects.
Hard teeth are more durable and therefore, they’re preferred.
Blade tip
If you’re mostly using the jab saw for drywall projects, select one with the most sharpened tip. It’ll be easier to penetrate through the material.
On the other hand, if you’re mostly looking to make small trimming or pruning cuts, then a blunt tip might actually be safer.
Blade structure
An important characteristic of gypsum used in sheetrock or drywall is that the more it’s rubbed or dismantled, the more it heats up. For this reason, there will be holes in certain jab saws.
Select a jab saw with well-placed holes to minimize any heat created when working.
Safety
One last thing to mention about jab saws: the tool is very sharp.
You need to handle it properly and safely. It requires storing in a safe place that’s out of reach of children.
Check out YouTube user Last Best Tool’s video that compares several jab saws:
Best jab saws reviewed
Now let’s see what makes the jab saws in my top 7 so good.
This Stanley 6-inch long jab saw has a tip sharp enough to penetrate any piece of drywall, other types of gypsum boards, or similar materials without much effort. It has 8 sharp teeth per inch (TPI) to help make your cuts as smooth as possible.
The handle is slip-resistant and you may cut or curve either sheetrock, plastic, or wood with power and strength, as well as precision and control.
Sharpened teeth allow increase speed up to 50% and the durability of the induction-hardened teeth is at least 5 times longer than that of usual teeth. These sharp teeth make the pushing and pulling strokes comfortable while cutting.
The tool is marvelously and ergonomically designed. The handle is bi-material, solid, and resistant to slipping, which increases its lifespan and strength. Even smaller hands can get a secure grip on the tool.
The blade is 6.25 inches in length, and the handle is made of plastic/rubber bi-material. An inch of the blade plate encompasses 8 teeth and 9 points.
Most customers have expressed satisfaction with the jab saw. Though it’s a little bit tricky to get started, it’s recommended that you drill the pivot or just hammer at the back of the jab saw to get enough insertion.
A disadvantage of this tool is that it doesn’t have a blade folding option. So you’ll have to carefully store it away when not using it to avoid dulling the teeth and hurting yourself.
The Tarvol jab saw is a handy multifunctional tool that could save the day.
Besides cutting sheetrock, it’s also equally helpful in cutting wood, drywall, bone, and pruning and sawing. It’s also good for hiking, camping, trimming, and hunting. Whatever you need it to cut, it’ll do the job!
This folding jab saw contains a 7-inch long blade with razor-sharp teeth and 7 TPI for a great cutting experience. The blade is straight enough and is also corrosion-resistant.
This Tarvol jab saw has an ergonomically designed handle. The black portion of the handle is made of rubber and the green portion is made of plastic.
The style resembles the handle of a pistol so the grip is comfortable enough for professional cutting or sawing. It can also be conveniently stowed by hanging it.
The saw can be folded down to 8.5 inches and just 2 inches in width.
Combining all the features it offers, including the ability to use it for multiple purposes like gardening, cutting trees, plants, and stubborn roots, fishing, hunting, it offers much more than just cutting walls.
The Tarvol saw is a little bit bigger than the traditional drywall saws, which may not be suited to all users.
Besides, the saw blade is flimsy, so it might bend when heavily used. Some customers have issues with the backward movement of the saw while cutting.
This jab saw can give a decent cut to drywalls, wallboards, woods, etc. The ergonomically designed handle won’t let the saw slip off the hand.
This razor blade saw is easy to use. It can cut miters, tenons, and dovetails quite precisely.
For a home-centered saw craftsman, farmer, woodworker, or even a general contractor, it’s an ideal instrument, as it cuts smoothly through plastic pipes, sheetrock, wood, plywood, and other similar materials.
It has a handy design, with 7 TPI, so you’ll be able to use it easily and get good results. The handle is comfortable enough to hold, as the design keeps every hand size in mind. This lessens fatigue during cutting.
The cutting angle is also superior. The teeth are perfect enough for a sharp and smooth cut, as the blades are induction hardened. The sharp tip feature included is used to start the beginning of the cut.
It perforates drywall easily and is handy for a quick cut. So it’s durable.
The blade of the body is 6.5 inches long and the TPI rate is 7. The blade material is carbon steel so that control and rigidity up to scratch, as is the durability.
There are some complaints about not being able to cut plywood easily and comfortably though.
The 6-inch Milwaukee jab saw is recommended for cutting through plasters and drywall for demolitions and renovations.
The handle of this drywall saw contains a rubber overgrip that helps you keep absolute control while cutting.
The back ends (the pommel) of the saw handle are flat so that you can easily puncture the drywall by putting the tip on the desired spot and tapping on the flat pommel.
The tool is endowed with some rasping holes, which increase perforation holes and cutting greater than traditional saws to some extent.
These can also be used for masonry purposes. For example, you can smoothen out metal and rock surfaces.
It has a dual teeth pattern in the blade, as well as 7 TPI, which allows for fast sawing optimization through thin materials.
The Dewalt jab saw has aggressive teeth that can cut drywall or similar materials twice as fast as traditional saws. The induction-hardened teeth stay sharp for a long time.
And they aren’t made to cut drywall only. Plastic and other building materials are also in its domain as well.
The blade has a length of 6 inches, providing 11.5 inches of overall length. The rest is its plastic and rubber dual material handle.
The Dewalt jab saw offers 8 teeth per inch and 9 inches of intervals among the points. The aggressive saw blade is pointy at the tip, helping you to penetrate sheetrock.
The handle is sturdy and the blade is sharp and strong enough. Overall, it’s a tool rigid enough to handle walls made of sheetrock.
This Hautmec jab saw has a double-edged blade for fast and efficient cutting. You’ll love the speed you can get with this saw, as you’ll get the job done well and quickly too!
The second side will allow you to go in either direction while you’re sawing, without having to remove your tool and reinsert the blade going the opposite way.
With a pointed tip, this saw easily penetrates drywall, wallboard, plywood, plastic, and any other material you want.
Its 7 TPI blade is also made of hardened carbon steel, so not only will you be able to use this tool on every job, but you’ll also be able to use this tool for years to come.
Made of comfortable rubber, the handle has a guard to keep your hands and fingers safe and protected. The handle’s material will also ensure comfort when you’re using the tool, to allow you to use it for a longer.
This Klein Tools jab saw is a must for those looking for a folding saw with a pointed tip.
This is the perfect tool to keep in your pocket while you work, without having to worry about the blade. It’s also great for storage, as it won’t pierce your bag.
The tool’s ability to fold is also beneficial to your projects, as it doesn’t need to be straight out of the handle to make a cut. It can cut at an impressive 125 degrees, to help you access those hard-to-reach areas.
The blade is made of carbon steel for durability and has a TPI of 8. So you know you’ll be able to use this tool for a long time.
The butt of the handle is also cushioned to provide extra support when inserting into a wall, or for easier palming. The handle is also non-slip, so you don’t have to worry about dropping it while you’re working.
Jab saw FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about jab saw and their answers.
Can I use a jab saw to cut wood?
Definitely. Besides drywall, jab saws are great for cutting through wood, plywood, gypsum, plastic, and other construction materials.
Can a jab saw cut metal?
No. For cutting through metal, you’d better use a hack saw.
Get yourself the best jab saw for the job
If you weren’t familiar with jab saws before, you should be now. These powerful tools are essential for builders or home DIYers. Really, anyone who’s going to be completing drywall projects should have one in their tool belt.
With its pointed nose and high TPI, you’ll find it easy to puncture drywall, plasterboard, and many other materials. Sawing out holes and creating any incision you may need will be simple too.
There are many good options out there when it comes to choosing a jab saw. As an expert in the field, I’ve provided my top 7.
But before you buy, make sure you do your own research. Focus on the blade and its tip, the TPI, and the handle type and composition. Plus, look for any other features you think could be useful for your project.
I'm Joost Nusselder, the founder of Tools Doctor, content marketer, and dad. I love trying out new equipment, and together with my team I've been creating in-depth blog articles since 2016 to help loyal readers with tools & crafting tips.
I'm Joost Nusselder, the founder of Tools Doctor, content marketer, and dad. I love trying out new equipment, and together with my team I've been creating in-depth blog articles since 2016 to help loyal readers with tools & crafting tips.
