Jigsaws: Regular vs Barrel Grip

With a top grip you use a lot more wrist action and you’re looking down on your cut.

With a barrel it’s more upper body movement to control it and you’re not really looking down
on your cut in a natural position. More of an off the the side look.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

I owned a bosch barrel grip and didn’t like it due to the switch is on the side where my thumb was and I found it awkward to turn the unit off and on smoothly. I now have a dewalt regular grip with a trigger switch at your finger and I find it easier for me anyways to turn the unit on and off.

-- Kevin -- (http://www.furniturebykevin.com)

I’ve used a barrel grip Bosch for upwards of 20 years building boats with lots of cutting of thick fiberglass. I don’t think you could torture a saw any more. I think the barrel grip offers much better control, the top grip feels very awkward to me. I seem to remember some slight heat issues under very heavy load cutting fiberglass and steel a few times, but never in wood. I would never own anything else, barrel grip all the way.

I tend to agree with Gary’s comment. I have only used top grip saws. I guess it is what you get used to. But to me the top grip is a more natural cut and less strenuous to operate.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

im a barrel handle guy ! i use mine a lot to cope large crown moulding it takes a lot of control to do this and the d handle saws dont get it done for me . ive never had a heat issue . my 2 scents

I have only used a top grip so I can’t compare the two. My advice would be to go to Lowes or somewhere like that and put your hands on each type. Then maybe you will have a better idea of what you prefer.

I prefer the top grip. That is just because that is all I have used. I agree that the heat issue might be a problem, but probably not in a higher end model.

barrel is my favorite. like most tool questions, it comes down to a question of personal preference

-- making sawdust....

I own the Craftsman jig saw that allows you to use it either as a barrel or top grip. I find that for scroll type work the top grip is better for me. But for straight cuts, cuts with a larger radius, or for cuts where you need to extend your reach, (i.e. cutting a pattern out of a sheet of ply) the barrel grip is more comfortable. I think it depends on the work you’re doing. BTW’s you might want to look at the Craftsman, it’s a nice saw.

-- Todd, Richfield MN

I fully agree with ToddO and own the same saw. Using the barrel grip does afford better control but sometimes the job calls for a handle. It’s a nice feature that Craftsman has incorporated into theirs, giving you the option of both.

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!

I have the same jig saw as todd0 and daddo. The top grip goes on and off easily and allows you to choose what will work best for what you’re tring to do. I love mine! Craftsman Professional Laser Trac™ 2-in-1 Jig saw with LED