But here comes Bosch’s 1590, and it elevates the outcast jigsaw to the most-wanted list.

The first thing we liked about this saw is its heft; it’s beefy, solid and made with that famous Swiss quality. You wrap your hand around the soft, substantial grip, squeeze the ample trigger and the soft-start whirs gently; with hardly any effort from you, the blade slices through whatever’s ahead of it. Perhaps because it’s heavier than most jigsaws, there’s practically zero vibration, giving you a delightfully smooth, no-buzz experience, something pretty much unheard of in your average jigsaw.

Another nice feature is the speed mechanism: Set your maximum speed on the trigger dial, then control your speed up to that max by squeezing the trigger. On long cuts, you can lock the trigger on, too, and the blower actually does keep your cutline clear.

If that’s all this saw had going for it, that would be enough for us. But coolest of all is the blade-change system that literally ejects the blade in a split second, takes the new one and gets you right back to your cutting – all tool-free. Amazing.

If you’ve relegated the jigsaw to the bottom of your toolbox, you owe it to yourself to give this one a chance. We think it’s fantastic. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste

What’s in the Box
Precision wood blade, progressor wood blade, tight kerf blade, zero-clearance insert, non-marring footplate, carrying case

Customer Reviews Average rating - 5.0

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-12-22
Content: Arrived on time and was as described. Best price I could find was obtained on Amazon.com. Also, no sales tax and free shipping. Have used the jigsaw and it performs flawlessly. I like the blade ejector,and the new blades load easily. Did not come with the vacuum attachment, and this option proved of marginal value when I bought it separately. Does not really catch all the sawdust. I think it is easier to "let it fly" and vacumm up afterwards. Overall a very good purchase and one I hope to use for years.
Summary: Bosch 1690EVSK 6.4 Amp

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-12-22
Content: What more can I say about this saw that other reviewers haven't already said. It is a great saw. Weighted and balanced nicely very durable. I had no problem cutting through 6/4 red oak for custom stair treads I made for my living room. It is the first Bosch tool I own and if all Bosch's tools are made like this I will be checking them out.
Summary: What more can I say about this saw

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-12-20
Content: In 1946 when Albert Kaufmann an employee working for a Bosch-owned Swiss manufacturing company called Scintilla AG replaced the needle on his wife's sewing machine with a saw blade to enable him to make delicate and detailed cuts in wood, he could not imagine that he was doing history. Since 1947, when the first jigsaw was manufactured, Scintilla AG is still producing in Switzerland the best jigsaws in the world! Here is the Bosch 1590EVS to prove. It works like a Swiss watch: Precise and reliable. No offense, but I don't like power tools made in China, even by leading brands like Bosch, Dewalt, etc.
Summary: Swiss Watch

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-12-13
Content: I'm an amature woodworker who builds mostly furniture items. I've owned high-end orbital jigsaws from both Dewalt and Porter Cable. Both were fine saws and I was very happy with them until I got my hands on a Bosch. Everything about this saw pleases me. It's plenty powerful enough to cut 2X framing lumber when needed. The blade change mechanism is tool-less, quick and easy on the fingers. It's the smoothest operating saw I've used, and I thought the others were good. But one of the most helpful features is that it's designed so it doesn't blow sawdust up into my eyes when I sight down the blade to the cut line. It's truly a fine piece of machinery and a joy to use.
Summary: Best of the Best

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-12-12
Content: I recently bought this model's little brother on sale at Home Depot and thought it was a pretty good saw, but the convoluted blade changing system was both annoying and dangerous, so I took it back and ordered this one for $40 more. I have no regrets.

The 1590 lets you change blades in seconds with a single hand, allows you to adjust the shoe with the flip of a lever, and perhaps best of all, its chip blower really, really works. Cuts are as straight as is humanly possible with a jigsaw, and--if you pick up a set of Bosch's "Extra Clean" blades--smooth as well. The generously lengthy cord is also a welcome bonus. I don't think you'll find anything better in this price range.
Summary: Zero complaints