A quality oscillating multi-tool is only as good as the blades you pair it with. Buy cheap generic blades and you’ll be dulling them on a second plunge cut and binning sets before the morning’s out. Get the right blades for the job, and a mid-range multi-tool can punch well above its weight.
We’ve pulled together the best multi-tool blades available in the UK right now, covering bi-metal, high carbon steel (HCS) and carbide options, from budget sets for occasional use to professional-grade blades that will handle day-in, day-out site work. All are available through Amazon UK, Screwfix, or Toolstation.
Quick Comparison: Best Multi-Tool Blades UK 2026
| Blade / Set | Best For | Material | Price | Verdict |
| Bosch Expert Starlock BIM Set (5pc) | General trade / wood & metal | Bi-metal | ~£30 | Best all-rounder |
| Fein E-Cut Long-Life Universal | Premium / heavy use | HCS / BIM | ~£15 each | Best premium blade |
| DeWalt DT20701 Multi-Material Set | DeWalt platform users | Bi-metal | ~£25 | Best for DeWalt owners |
| Milwaukee OPEN-LOK Bi-Metal Set | Milwaukee platform users | Bi-metal | ~£30 | Best for Milwaukee owners |
| SabreCut 10pc Starlock Bi-Metal | Budget / occasional use | Bi-metal | ~£15 | Best budget set |
| Bosch Expert Carbide Segment Blade | Tile, cement board, fibreglass | Carbide | ~£18 | Best for hard materials |
| Saxton 34mm HCS Fine Cut Blades (10pc) | Plasterboard, softwood, trim | HCS | ~£12 | Best value HCS blades |
A Quick Note on Blade Compatibility
Before we get into the reviews, it’s worth knowing how multi-tool blade fittings work — because buying the wrong format will leave you with blades you can’t use.
There are three main fitting systems in the UK market:
- Starlock / StarlockPlus / StarlockMax — developed by Fein, now licenced across Bosch, Makita, Festool, Metabo and others. The snap-in design is a genuine improvement over older hex-hole fittings and delivers better power transfer with noticeably less vibration.
- DeWalt QUICK-FIT — DeWalt’s own proprietary system used on their XR multi-tools. DeWalt does supply a universal adapter in the box, so you can use Starlock blades, but DeWalt-branded blades won’t fit Starlock machines without the adapter the other way round.
- Milwaukee OPEN-LOK — Milwaukee’s quick-release system. Compatible with most universal-fit blades, and Milwaukee supply adapters for older hex-key fittings.
If you’re buying a multi-brand set or stocking up on cheaper generic blades, look for ‘universal fit’ or ‘Starlock compatible’. These have the star-shaped hole that works across most modern oscillating tools with or without an adapter.
1. Bosch Expert Starlock Bi-Metal Set (5-Piece) — Best All-Rounder
Price: around £28–32 | Available at: Screwfix, Amazon UK, Toolstation
Bosch’s Expert range sits above their standard ‘Progressor’ line and it shows. The five-piece bi-metal set typically includes a couple of BIM wood/metal blades in different widths, a fine-cut HCS blade for cleaner work, and a scraper — a genuinely useful everyday mix rather than the kind of padding you see in cheap sets.
The Starlock interface clicks in and locks without tools, and the blades hold true through repeated use. We’ve seen these in the toolboxes of electricians and first-fix joiners alike — they’re versatile enough for stripping out, cutting pipe-chased plaster, and flush-cutting in awkward corners.
Pros: Genuine quality step up from standard; good blade selection in a 5-piece; Starlock snap-fit; BIM cuts both wood and metal.
Cons: More expensive than generic sets; individual blade replacement adds up.
Best for: Most tradespeople as a go-to general set. Especially useful for joiners and first-fix builders who use a multi-tool regularly.
2. Fein E-Cut Long-Life Universal Blades — Best Premium Blade
Price: around £14–18 per blade | Available at: Amazon UK, ITS.co.uk, specialist tool suppliers
Fein invented the oscillating multi-tool, so it’s no surprise their blades are still some of the best you can buy. The E-Cut Long-Life series uses a carbide-enhanced bi-metal construction that significantly outlasts standard BIM blades on hard or abrasive materials.
These are not cheap, and they’re not meant to be. If you’re a sparky cutting cable conduit slots in block walls, or a plumber making precise cuts in awkward locations all day, the longevity and accuracy justify the price. For occasional use, you’d be better off with a budget set.
Pros: Exceptional blade life; precise cuts with minimal deviation; universal Starlock fitting; used by pros across trades.
Cons: Premium price per blade; not worth it for occasional or site knock-about use.
Best for: Electricians, plumbers, and skilled tradespeople who use an oscillating tool as a core part of their workflow.
3. DeWalt DT20701 Multi-Material Set — Best for DeWalt Platform Users
Price: around £22–27 | Available at: Screwfix, Amazon UK, B&Q
If you’re already running DeWalt cordless tools, it makes sense to stick with their ecosystem for accessories too. The DT20701 set comes with five blades including bi-metal wood/metal combinations and a carbide segment blade for tougher materials.
Build quality is consistent with DeWalt’s standards — these won’t let you down mid-job. The QUICK-FIT system is fast to use, and the set is sensibly priced compared with the Bosch Expert equivalent. Worth noting: the included adapter means you can also run these on non-DeWalt machines if needed.
Pros: Reliable DeWalt quality; good mixed-material set; QUICK-FIT interface; competitive price point.
Cons: QUICK-FIT is DeWalt-only natively; adapter needed for Starlock machines.
Best for: Builders and site workers already on the DeWalt 18V or 54V platform.
4. Milwaukee OPEN-LOK Bi-Metal Blades — Best for Milwaukee Platform Users
Price: around £25–35 for a set | Available at: Screwfix, Amazon UK, Toolstation
Milwaukee’s OPEN-LOK system is one of the fastest blade-change mechanisms on the market. The blades themselves are built to the same standard you’d expect from Milwaukee — tough, accurate, and long-lasting compared with generic equivalents.
The bi-metal blades handle the bread-and-butter tasks well: undercut door frames, flush cuts, cutting through fixings, trimming pipe. Where Milwaukee sets themselves apart is in the consistency of their accessories — these feel genuinely engineered rather than just badged up.
Pros: Excellent blade quality; OPEN-LOK system is fast and secure; good compatibility with universal blades via adapter; strong brand support.
Cons: More expensive than budget alternatives; OPEN-LOK is Milwaukee-native.
Best for: Plumbers, gas engineers and mechanical trades already invested in the Milwaukee M18 platform.
5. SabreCut Starlock Bi-Metal Set (10-Piece) — Best Budget Set
Price: around £12–16 | Available at: Amazon UK
SabreCut has built a decent reputation in the UK market for affordable accessories that actually work. Their 10-piece Starlock bi-metal set is a genuine bargain if you’re on a budget or use a multi-tool infrequently — you’d expect to pay significantly more for this many blades from a tier-one brand.
Durability is noticeably lower than Bosch or Fein equivalents, and on hard or abrasive materials they’ll dull faster. But for occasional cuts, plasterboard work, and general maintenance jobs, they get the job done without costing a fortune. Good to keep in the van as a backup set.
Pros: Excellent value for money; 10 blades per set; Starlock compatible; good for occasional use and trade apprentices.
Cons: Not built for sustained heavy use; dulls faster than premium blades on hard materials.
Best for: Sole traders on a budget, apprentices, or anyone who uses a multi-tool occasionally rather than daily.
6. Bosch Expert Carbide Segment Blade — Best for Hard Materials
Price: around £16–20 | Available at: Screwfix, Amazon UK, Toolstation
For anything genuinely hard — cement board, terracotta, fibre cement cladding, or cutting through wall tiles during a bathroom refit — you need a proper carbide blade. Standard bi-metal blades will skid, burn, and blunt themselves in seconds on this kind of material.
The Bosch Expert carbide segment blade is the pick here. The tungsten carbide grit segments cut through hard materials cleanly without the vibration you get from cheaper equivalents, and the Starlock MAX interface delivers maximum torque transfer for demanding applications. It’s a specialist blade, not a daily driver, but worth having on the van for the jobs that need it.
Pros: Handles cement board, tile, and fibreglass that destroys bi-metal blades; Starlock MAX for full torque transfer; durable TCT construction.
Cons: Specialist use only; slower cutting on softer materials; premium price for a single blade.
Best for: Tilers, bathroom fitters, and anyone cutting into cement-based materials or fibre cement boards.
7. Saxton 34mm HCS Fine Cut Blades (10-Pack) — Best Value HCS Blades
Price: around £10–14 | Available at: Amazon UK
Not every job needs bi-metal. For clean cuts in softwood, plasterboard, MDF, and trim work, a good HCS blade will cut faster and leave a cleaner edge. Bi-metal blades can feel almost too aggressive for finish carpentry.
Saxton’s 34mm HCS fine-cut blades are a solid choice for joinery and internal finishing work. The 34mm width is ideal for door frame undercuts and skirting board work, and at this price for 10 blades you’re not going to stress too much when one chips on an unexpected screw. Compatible with Starlock and most oscillating tools via the universal fit hole.
Pros: Clean cuts in wood, plasterboard and MDF; 10 blades for the price of one premium blade; universal fit.
Cons: HCS only — don’t use on metal or you’ll wreck the blade immediately; lighter-duty than BIM.
Best for: Carpenters, second-fix joiners, and painters and decorators doing trim work and plasterboard repairs.
What to Look for When Buying Multi-Tool Blades
Blade Material
This is the most important decision. HCS (high carbon steel) blades are for wood, softboards, and light plastics only — fast cutting, clean finish, but they snap or warp instantly on metal. Bi-metal (BIM) blades have high-speed steel teeth on a flexible backer, making them the versatile workhorse for mixed materials including wood with nails, pipes, and sheet metal. Carbide (TCT or carbide grit) is for hard materials: tile, cement board, fibre cement, and occasional cast iron.
Fitting System
Always check your multi-tool’s fitting before buying. Starlock is the most universal system now — if your tool takes Starlock, you have access to the widest range of blades from the widest range of brands. If you’re on DeWalt or Milwaukee, stick to branded blades or verify the universal adapter is in the box.
Blade Width and Profile
Narrower blades (around 28mm) are easier to manoeuvre in tight spaces and are better for plunge cuts. Wider blades (32–44mm) cover more ground per stroke on flush cuts and scraping. Semi-circular or curved-tip blades are better for plunge cutting. Straight blades suit flush cuts and undercuts.
Sets vs Individual Blades
For most tradespeople, a mixed set is the sensible starting point — you get the blade for the job without committing to a full pack of one type. As you figure out which blades you burn through fastest, buy those in larger packs. Electricians tend to get through bi-metal blades quickly; tilers need carbide on standby; joiners will use HCS more than most.
Brand vs Budget
The honest answer is: you get what you pay for, but not always in a linear way. A mid-range set from Bosch or DeWalt will outperform generic blades significantly. But Fein or Milwaukee blades at premium prices are genuinely better again — longer life, more accuracy, better heat management. If you’re using a multi-tool every day, invest in better blades. If it’s an occasional-use tool, a budget set is fine.
Final Verdict
For most UK tradespeople, the Bosch Expert Starlock Bi-Metal Set is the go-to recommendation — it strikes the right balance between quality, price, and versatility for everyday site work.
If you’re on DeWalt or Milwaukee platforms, stick with the branded blades from those ranges rather than mixing in third-party sets — the fit and quality consistency is worth the slight premium.
For heavy daily use, especially on mixed hard materials, upgrading to Fein E-Cut Long-Life blades will save you money and frustration over time — fewer blade changes, more consistent cuts, less wasted time.
And don’t forget the specialist carbide blade. Keep one in the bag. The day you need it, you’ll be glad it’s there.
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