Olson Jewelers Saw Blades vs Skip Tooth: Choosing the Right Cut

Two Olson blades, two different cutting jobs

The Olson metal piercing jewelers saw blades and the Olson plain end skip tooth saw blades both fit hand-held saw frames, but they are built for different work. One is a fine-tooth blade for cutting metal and hardened materials; the other is a skip tooth blade for scroll saws and similar power saws that take plain end blades. Choosing between them starts with the material you are cutting and the saw you plan to use.

Tooth count and blade size at a glance

• Olson metal piercing jewelers saw blades (product 1267300): 36 TPI (teeth per inch), .033W x .016T x 5" L, plain ended, package of 12. Made of hardened and tempered steel for sawing metal and other hardened materials. Catalog notes blade dimensions are subject to 10% variation.
• Olson plain end skip tooth saw blades (product 1267303): 12.5 TPI, .034 x .032, 5" long, plain ended, 12 blades per package. Premium high carbon steel, hardened and tempered to stay sharp longer. Catalog notes blade dimensions are subject to 10% variation.

When the 36 TPI metal piercing blade is the right choice

Choose the metal piercing jewelers saw blades when your work involves metal or other hardened materials and you need an extremely fine cut. The 36 TPI tooth count produces a smooth, narrow kerf that suits jeweler-style piercing and detailed metal cutting. These blades are plain ended and perform best with hand-held saw frames, so they pair naturally with a jeweler's saw frame rather than a power scroll saw. The package includes 12 blades, which gives you spares for fine work that dulls teeth quickly.

When skip tooth blades make more sense

The skip tooth saw blades are designed for scroll saws that take 5" plain end blades, including the retired MicroLux Multi-Saw #60514 and #84641, the 16" Scroll Saw, and similar power scroll saws, as well as hand-held fret and jewelers saw frames. The skip tooth pattern clears waste more aggressively than a fine piercing blade, and the catalog states these blades have 360° cutting capability, so you can cut in any direction. Cutting speed and finish depend on material thickness, so expect the blade to behave differently in thin stock than in thicker stock.

Key specifications for the metal piercing blade

• Olson® Metal Piercing Jewelers Saw Blades .033 x .016 x 36 TPI Plain: 36 TPI (teeth per inch), .033W x .016T x 5" L, plain ended, package of 12 blades. The high tooth count and thin kerf suit fine metal piercing and hardened materials, while the plain ends fit hand-held saw frames.

  

• Olson® Metal Piercing Jewelers Saw Blades .033 x .016 x 36 TPI Plain: Made of hardened and tempered steel for sawing metal and other hardened materials, with regular teeth. Confirms the blade is intended for metal and hardened stock rather than wood or soft materials.

Key specifications for the skip tooth blade

• Olson® Plain End Skip Tooth Saw Blades (.038 x 016 x 12): 12.5 TPI, .034 x .032, 5" long, plain ended, 12 blades per package. The lower tooth count and skip tooth pattern clear waste faster, which matters when cutting thicker material or making curved cuts.

  

• Olson® Plain End Skip Tooth Saw Blades (.038 x 016 x 12): Made for scroll saws that take 5" plain end blades, including the retired MicroLux Multi-Saw #60514 and #84641, 16" Scroll Saw, or similar power scroll saws, hand-held fret and jewelers saw frames. Defines the compatible saw types so you can check your own equipment before buying.

What the catalog does not tell you

Neither product record includes operating speeds, feed rates, or detailed safety instructions. The catalog also does not specify which non-metal materials each blade is rated for, beyond the metal and hardened-material note on the piercing blade. Treat those gaps as reasons to test a blade on scrap stock first and to follow the safety guidance for your own saw frame or scroll saw. Blade dimensions are subject to 10% variation, so check fit in your saw before starting a critical cut.

A simple way to decide

If you are cutting metal or hardened material with a hand-held jeweler's saw frame and need a fine, controlled cut, the Olson metal piercing jewelers saw blades are the direct match. If you are using a scroll saw or hand-held fret frame and want a blade that cuts in any direction with faster waste clearance, the Olson plain end skip tooth saw blades fit that job. Both are sold in 12-blade packs, so you can keep a supply of each on the bench and switch based on the material and saw in front of you.