Bosch Professional 06016C0001 Review

When the job calls for cutting through something in a place where no saw was meant to go, a reciprocating saw — often called a sabre saw — is the tool that answers. Unlike a circular saw that needs a flat surface to ride on, or a jigsaw that wants a supported workpiece, the reciprocating saw goes wherever you can point it. Under a floorboard to sever old pipework. Through a wall cavity to cut out a stud. Into the crotch of a tree branch that is too thick for loppers. The long, exposed blade pushes and pulls at high speed, and the tool's narrow body lets you reach into cramped, awkward spaces where no other powered saw fits. It is not a precision instrument — you will not cut dovetail joints with it — but for demolition, rough-in carpentry, plumbing and electrical retrofit work, garden pruning, and any task where the priority is getting through the material quickly and moving on, a good reciprocating saw is one of the most liberating tools you can own. Add cordless freedom to the equation and you have a tool that goes up the ladder, into the loft, under the deck, and out into the garden without a second thought about extension leads.

When choosing a cordless reciprocating saw, the headline numbers are stroke rate and stroke length. Stroke rate — typically measured in strokes per minute (SPM) — tells you how fast the blade moves, with higher rates cutting faster in softer materials like wood and plastic. Stroke length is equally important: a longer stroke means each tooth of the blade covers more distance per cycle, clearing chips more effectively and cutting faster in thick material. Brushless motors have transformed the cordless reciprocating saw category, delivering runtime and power that now rival corded models. Tool-free blade clamping is a must — you will change blades frequently as you move between wood, metal, and demolition tasks. An orbital action mode, where the blade moves in a slight elliptical path on the cutting stroke, dramatically speeds up cuts in wood at the expense of a rougher finish. Bosch Professional's BITURBO line represents their highest-performance 18-volt tools, designed to extract maximum power from their ProCore battery technology, and their reciprocating saw is built to the standard demanded by professional carpenters, plumbers, and demolition crews.

This review examines an 18-volt brushless reciprocating saw from Bosch Professional's BITURBO range. We test its cutting speed in timber, metal, and demolition scenarios, assess the blade-change mechanism and ergonomics during overhead and tight-space work, and evaluate how this cordless model compares to corded alternatives for professional day-in, day-out use.

The Bosch Professional GSA 18V-28 is an 18-volt brushless reciprocating saw from Bosch's BITURBO high-performance line, designed to extract maximum cutting power when paired with ProCore 8.0 Ah or 12.0 Ah batteries. The brushless motor delivers up to 2,900 strokes per minute with a stroke length of 28 millimetres — a combination that provides rapid cutting progress in timber, metal, plastic, and demolition materials. The saw features selectable orbital action: switch it on and the blade moves in an elliptical path that clears chips more aggressively, dramatically speeding up cuts in wood and plasterboard; switch it off for a straight reciprocating motion that gives cleaner cuts in metal and more controlled plunge cuts. The tool-free blade clamp accepts standard universal-shank reciprocating saw blades — simply twist the collar, insert the blade, and release — no Allen key or chuck key required. The 230-millimetre blade length provided covers the majority of common cutting tasks, and the universal shank means blades from any manufacturer fit without adapters.

Ergonomics are a critical factor on a tool that sees hard use in awkward positions, and Bosch has invested meaningful design effort here. The GSA 18V-28 features a vibration-dampening counterbalance system that significantly reduces the tingling fatigue that prolonged reciprocating saw use typically causes — this is one of the most noticeable upgrades over entry-level saws. The main handle is rubber-overmoulded with a generous diameter that suits gloved hands, and the front grip area is large enough to be held securely while wearing work gloves. The tool weighs 4.1 kilograms as a bare unit — substantial enough to feel planted and stable during aggressive cuts but not so heavy that overhead work becomes punishing. The overall body measures 45 by 9.6 by 17 centimetres, with a slim nose profile that lets the blade reach into tight gaps between joists and into wall cavities. An integrated LED work light illuminates the cut line in dark spaces — invaluable when working inside cupboards, under floors, or in unlit loft spaces.

In use, the GSA 18V-28 lives up to the BITURBO performance promise. With a ProCore 8.0 Ah battery fitted, the saw tears through 45-millimetre structural timber at a pace that feels indistinguishable from a corded 1,100-watt saw. The orbital action mode is the go-to setting for demolition timber cutting, demolition of pallets, and pruning branches up to approximately 150 millimetres — the chip-clearing action prevents the blade from binding in wet or resinous wood. Switching to straight reciprocating mode with a fine-tooth metal blade, the saw cuts through 25-millimetre conduit, copper pipe, and even mild steel angle with controlled, predictable progress. The variable-speed trigger gives you precise control: squeeze gently for a slow start when positioning the blade on a precise mark, then ramp up to full speed once the cut is established. The tool-free blade change is genuinely fast — under five seconds from finishing a wood cut to starting a metal cut with a fresh blade.

Several practical features make the difference in daily professional use. The blade clamp mechanism is robust and reliable — no blade slip or wobble even during aggressive plunge cuts into floorboards. The saw includes a pivoting adjustable footplate (shoe) that lets you control the depth of cut and provides a stable reference surface when cutting flush against a wall or floor. The tool is part of Bosch Professional's 18V System and AMPShare alliance, so batteries — sold separately — work across the entire Bosch 18V and partner-brand ecosystem. The included L-BOXX carry case provides professional-grade protection during transport and stacks with other Bosch L-BOXX units for organised van storage. Two high-quality Bosch blades are included: an S 2345 X for wood and an S 123 XF for metal, giving you immediate capability across both materials out of the box.

The bare tool measures 45 by 9.6 by 17 centimetres and weighs 4.1 kilograms, placing it in the mid-weight category for professional reciprocating saws — lighter than some older corded models while retaining the mass needed for stability during heavy cutting. Bosch Professional backs the GSA 18V-28 with a 24-month manufacturer's warranty. Customer reception is strong: 4.7 out of 5 stars from 303 ratings on Amazon France, with a bestseller ranking of #11 in Reciprocating Saws. The €224 price point for the bare tool reflects the BITURBO brushless motor, the advanced vibration dampening, and the professional build quality — this is a tool purchased by tradespeople who use a reciprocating saw as a primary demolition and rough-cutting tool, not an occasional garden pruner.

The Bosch Professional GSA 18V-28 BITURBO reciprocating saw is a high-performance cordless demolition and rough-cutting tool purpose-built for professional carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and renovation contractors who need corded-class power with cordless freedom — especially those already invested in the Bosch 18V battery platform who can buy the bare tool and power it with ProCore batteries they already own.