10 Best Keyhole Saws (Precautions While Using)

Published on: February 10, 2022
Written by David Rowan / Fact-checked by Eric Devin

Keyhole saw, also known as a jab saw, is a tool that can be found in any house or workshop. Setting up the speaker in a particular room to hide out cables of the TV or making space for lighting on the wall is a frequent chore around the house. However, this common tool can give you a headache if you fail to get high-quality tools.  

On the other hand, getting a high-quality professional keyhole saw is the main key to earning bread and butter for professionals like plumbers and electricians.

10 best keyhole saws

You see, there is a reason behind the different features and quality of keyhole saw available in the market; it matters differently to different people. The good news is, you don’t need to fumble through the countless types of the keyhole saw to get one for you.

We have developed a list of the best keyhole saw/ jab saw/ drywall saw which contains saws of different price ranges, quality, and features. Surely it will help you to become confident enough that you can get yours now. 

Precautions While Using a Keyhole Saw

Hey, it is a simple tool like a paper knife, do I really need any precautions? This is the first thing most likely to come to your mind now, right? Well, I agree that it is as easy as using a paper knife, but your house is not made of paper that you can glue together if anything goes wrong. So, it really needs some precautions to make your job safer. 

First of all, make markings on the drywall or plywood or whatever material you are cutting with this saw. You can use a pencil that can be erased later using an eraser. 

Secondly, you have to make a guide on the markings you have made. The tip of the keyhole saw usually is enough to do so. The scoring will help to align the saw to the marking. 

Thirdly, turn off the switchboard before cutting, if you are cutting the drywall of your house. It might seem weird, but it is important because you may encounter any cable hidden behind the wall during the process. 

Take time to cut the shape and don’t push the saw too deep into the wall. Because again, you don’t want to cut any cable, your goal is to cut the wall only. 

When you are done, use a rasping blade to smooth out the edges. 

Don’t forget to clean up the mess when it is over. If possible, use a shop vac or vacuum cleaner in between the job. 

Now you have a clean and smooth cut on your drywall. After use, store the keyhole saw/jab saw properly. If it is an open saw, then wrap it with a towel to protect the blade. 

View Our Top 10 Keyhole Saws (Jab Saw), Below

1. Milwaukee Drywall and Plaster Rasping Jab Saw

  • Built-in rasping holes to smooth out the roughness of the cuts;
  • Flat pommel and sharp tip for easier jabbing.

At an affordable range, Milwaukee has offered this amazing keyhole saw. The saw comes with an impressive dual-teeth blade that has rasping holes on it. Dual teeth successfully cut both ways to make any cutting faster with fewer strokes.

On the other hand, the rasping holes on the blade can be used later to smooth out any rough edges of the cut. To me, this is a nice combo because dual-teeth blades always make rough cuts so the rasping holes are a must. 

The handle is very comfortable to hold and has a flat rompel on the end. You can easily jab it with your palm or a hammer to make holes in the drywall without hurting your hand. It is an effective keyhole saw or jab saw to do jobs around the house all by yourself. Some find the rasping holes annoying as the material gets stuck in them. Considering how affordable the saw is, this tiny flaw can be denied. 

Things we liked

  • Comfortable to hold;
  • Cuts faster;
  • Well balanced;
  • Affordable price.

Didn’t like

  • Nothing to mention.

2. LEVEL5 Pro-Grade Precision Keyhole Saw

  • 6-inch high-carbon steel blade;
  • Large handle guard;
  • Slim profile.

There’s a reason for calling a jab saw a keyhole saw. That is because one can make a keyhole like a small hole with it. To prove the name, this Level-5 precision keyhole saw is made slim. It is the perfect tool not only to make tiny holes in drywall but also to reach places that are hard to reach. 

The blade of this saw is so tough that it does not bend. Its bi-directional teeth don’t bind up with the material as well. The best thing about this jab saw is its safeguard on the handle. The top part is curved so that hands don’t slip toward the blade and cause accidents or injuries. However, some find this handle too big to fit in their portable toolbox. For home use, this shouldn’t be a problem at all. 

Things we liked

  • Doesn’t bind up;
  • The blade doesn’t bend;
  • Two-way cutting motion;
  • Slim profile for better usability.

Didn’t like

  • Large handle.

3. Stanley Jab Saw/Key Hole Saw with Cushion Grip

  • Cushioned handle for comfortable use;
  • Tempered, long-lasting blade.

This one is an old-school kind of keyhole saw. It looks just like any other random nameless keyhole saw you ever grabbed from home depot for 5 bucks. But the difference lies in its quality. The blade is hardened and tapered, and the handle has a cushion grip on it.

Unlike the cheaply made keyhole saws, this one won’t disappoint you with its durability. Epoxy-bonded blade and handle joints won’t snap. Besides, the blade really lasts an impressively long time. 

For a budget-friendly price and seasonal use, this one is a wise choice. People who don’t prefer tools that are made looking upgraded but do the same job will love this one from Stanely. Because Stanley never disappoints its customers!

Things we liked

  • Cheap price;
  • Clog-free cut;
  • Simple and basic features. 

Didn’t like

  • The roughness of the cuts.

4. Shark Rockeater Drywall Saw

  • 7 TPI, 6-inch blade;
  • Professional-grade keyhole saw.

Are you thinking of hiring remodelers or constructors or plumbers to fix or upgrade anything around the house? If it is as simple as passing a cable through drywall, then don’t contact them. It will cost you hundreds of bucks for no reason, whereas you can do the same job by purchasing an inexpensive saw like this Rockeater from Shark. 

This keyhole saw consists of a standard 6 inches 7 TPI blade. To make a circular or square hole, all you have to do is, draw the shape on the drywall and make a score on it using the tip of the jab saw. Now, usually, what we do is, place the saw tip on the marking and thrust it with our palm if the rompel is flat. This one has a round rompel, which is negative, but you can use a block or brick to do the same thing.

Once the saw makes a hole, simply apply light pressure on it and move it back and forth along the marking to make the cut. Cuts will be smooth and accurate, guaranteed. 

Things we liked

  • Smooth cuts;
  • Suitable to cut through drywall and cement boards;
  • Convenient to use due to curved leverage handle and wrist band. 

Didn’t like

  • Rompel is rounded.

5. LENOX Tools-Folding Multi-Purpose Jab Saw/Utility Saw

  • Angle adjustment;
  • Comes with a spare utility blade.

This multipurpose jab saw is one of the favorites among plumbers and electricians. This jab saw or keyhole saw doubles as a hacksaw and utility saw as well. The thin keyhole blade is good for cutting drywalls only and the other blade is suitable for other materials like plastic pipe, bolts, wood, and so on. One tool is enough to cover awkward plumbing emergencies!

Its folding design saves the sharpness of the blades and also saves your other necessities as well. Because there is no sheath required for its folding design and it folds to a compact size making it even more portable. However, for professionals, I totally prefer this one over others. Some complained about not being able to get replacement blades for this model. The clue is, to search the blade by the model number of this saw, and you will get what you need. 

Things we liked

  • Professional grade;
  • Multipurpose;
  • Easy blade changing;
  • Good for professionals.

Didn’t like

  • No manual.

6. DEWALT 2-in-1 Folding Jab Saw/Rasp Blade Combo

  • Jab Saw/Rasp Blade Combo;
  • Easy to store and safe to use.

Should one invest in a keyhole saw when a combo set of rasp blade and the saw blade is available at the same price? I don’t think so. Unless you are looking for a jab saw for professional reasons, the smartest thing is to get one that has both-the blade and the planer. So. here you have it, the Dewalt 2-in-1 combo set for cutting drywall. 

The folding design incorporates a locking mechanism to make the cuts more secure. You can cut or plane the cut without sliding the blades off. The design looks like a replaceable one, but it is not. You can not get a replacement blade for it, but the good news is, you can resharpen the blades to make them last longer. 

Things we liked

  • Saw and planer in one tool;
  • Locking mechanism for secured use;
  • Compact folding design;
  • Sharpenable blade.

Didn’t like

  • Lacks the superiority of a professional saw.

7. GreatNeck Double Edge Wallboard Saw

  • Double-sided blade;
  • Non-slip rubber grip.

The main advantage of a double-sided blade is, it makes the task easier when you intend to make a keyhole bigger with a jab saw. Just punch the jab saw through the wall and turn it. Both edges will remove the materials to make the hole bigger. However, another point is, when one edge gets dull, you can use another edge for cutting. 

It is a basic keyhole saw and is reasonably priced. This negligible amount will save you a lot of bucks to call professionals to do simple jobs. It only takes half an hour to cut the wall and make a hole in the cable, speaker, lighting, and so on. The rubber grip is so comfortable, even after long-term use you won’t feel stressed at all. 

Things we liked

  • Cheap price;
  • Comfortable grip;
  • Double-edged for longer blade life. 

Didn’t like

  • Not for heavy use.

8. Klein Tools Folding Jab Saw / Utility Saw with Lockback

  • Lockback at 125-degree and  180-degree;
  • Folding design.

A regular keyhole saw with a 6-inch blade measures almost 1 ft with the handle length included. It may seem too long to fit in tight spaces. So, what to do when you encounter such a situation? An angled keyhole saw is a better solution to this problem.

Klein Tools have brought this folding jab saw that locks at 125 degrees and 180 degrees. When it locks at 125 degrees, the length of the entire saw reduces to 1 to 2 inches. On the other hand, locking at 180 degrees is essential for safety purposes for folding keyhole saws. 

The handle is well-cushioned for comfort. The end of it is not totally flat, but a whack on the handle with your palm won’t hurt as the end is made of rubber. Does the price seem a lot now? Considering the durability and ergonomics, it is not overpriced. Rather, it is a professional keyhole cutter to get a professional finish.  

Things we liked

  • Folding design for added safety;
  • Heavy-duty saw;
  • Lockback at 125 degrees is great for tight spaces.

Didn’t like

  • Nothing to mention. 

9. Klein Tools Keyhole Saw for Cutting Applications

  • Bade with triple ground bi-directional teeth.

Yes, you read it right; the blade has triple-ground bi-directional teeth. It not only cuts fast, but it also cuts smooth as well. This hardened carbon steel blade will leave the same performance for years to come. Once people get their hands on it, they become impressed with the durability of the blade.

The blade has a slight flex on it so that you can make circular cuts seamlessly. It has the right amount of stiffness so that the cuts become precise no matter if the material is drywall, plywood, or plastic material. 

For these simple features, this tool is overpriced. People have a crush on Klein tools when it comes to choosing a saw. In this list, we have included more than one Klein keyhole saw so that people can find their products from their favorite manufacturers. 

Things we liked

  • Precise cuts;
  • Cuts fast and effortless;
  • Large handle for a secured grip.

Didn’t like

  • Nothing to mention.

10. TAJIMA High-Performance Jab-Saw for Professionals

  • 1. 2 mm blade thickness;
  • 7 TPI, two rows of cutting teeth.

It may look way too simple for professional use, but trust me, its look can deceive you. This simplistic keyhole saw/jab saw is so far the priciest one on this list. The reason lies in the quality of the blade. Besides, the blade can be replaced when needed. Meaning, invest once, and enjoy forever!

The blade rarely gets dull. It is impressively thick and rust=proof. With 1.2 mm thickness and twin rows of razor-sharp teeth, it cuts the toughest material alongside the drywall. The blade shape is convenient to make flawless circular cuts effortlessly. If you long for quality tools without worrying about budget, this one is the best you can ever find. 

Things we liked

  • Good for circular cuts;
  • High-quality rust-proof blade;
  • Long-lasting;
  • Replaceable blade.

Didn’t like

  • High price.

Conclusion

Choosing a keyhole saw is like choosing shoes-there are many in the market, but not each of those will fit you. So, we tried our best to keep balance in our list of keyholes so that people from every profession and purpose can get this compulsory tool. We included saws from different price ranges so that picking one for you becomes guilt-free. 

If you intend to use this tool for professional reasons, then I suggest going through the warranty support and getting a keyhole saw that has a replaceable blade. This way you can make the most of this tool.

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About This Writer

david rowan author

Hello, I am David Rowan. I am a professional contractor with 10 years of experience in home building, different tools used, construction, home remodeling, and other home improvement work. I have already built many custom homes and continued to do several woodworking projects along with how to deal with all categories of tools.

Hello, I am David Rowan. I am a professional contractor with 10 years of experience in home building, different tools used, construction, home remodeling, and other home improvement work. I have already built many custom homes and continued to do several woodworking projects along with how to deal with all categories of tools.

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