Choosing the right diamond blade starts with the material you need to cut.
The blade also needs to match the machine, cutting depth and type of cut required. A blade that works well on concrete may not be suitable for porcelain, while a blade designed for tile cutting is not automatically suitable for structural materials.
Choosing the correct specification can help improve:
This guide explains how to choose the right diamond blade for common construction and cutting applications.
The material is the first thing to consider when choosing a diamond blade.
Ask yourself:
Different materials place different demands on a blade.
For example, reinforced concrete contains steel as well as concrete, while engineering brick can be significantly denser than standard brick.
If you’re cutting engineering brick, see our guide to Cutting Engineering Brick Properly.
Reinforcement changes the demands placed on a diamond blade.
When cutting reinforced concrete, the blade has to deal with both the concrete and steel reinforcement. This can increase heat, resistance and segment wear.
If you regularly cut reinforced concrete, choose a blade that is specifically designed or rated for the application.
Our Pathfinder concrete cutting blade is designed for concrete and reinforced concrete cutting.
For more information, see Can You Cut Reinforced Concrete with an Angle Grinder?.
Diamond blades are available with different cutting-edge designs.
The three main types are:
The blade type should match the material and the result you need.
For a more detailed explanation, read our guide to Diamond Blade Types Explained.
Not all materials behave in the same way when they are cut.
Dense materials can place greater resistance on the blade, while abrasive materials can cause a blade to wear more quickly.
Engineering brick is a good example. It can be considerably denser than ordinary facing brick, so a blade that works well on standard brick may not perform as effectively.
The blade specification needs to suit the material rather than simply the material category.
If you’re cutting dense masonry, our guide to Cutting Engineering Brick Properly explains the practical considerations.
The bond holds the diamond particles within the cutting segment.
As the blade cuts, the bond wears and exposes fresh diamond particles.
The correct bond depends on the material being cut.
As a general principle:
The exact specification depends on the blade and application.
If a blade becomes slow and appears to be polishing rather than cutting, it may have become glazed.
Read Why Diamond Blades Glaze (And How to Fix It) if you’re experiencing poor cutting performance.
The blade must be compatible with the machine you are using.
Before buying or fitting a blade, check:
Common machines used with diamond blades include:
The machine also affects the practical cutting depth and the type of work you can carry out.
For concrete cutting, see our guide to Angle Grinder vs Petrol Saw for Concrete Cutting.
If you need to make a deep cut, blade diameter and machine type become particularly important.
A small angle grinder is useful for shallow cuts and restricted areas, while larger disc cutters can provide greater cutting depth.
Before choosing a blade, consider:
Our Concrete Cutting Depth Guide explains how blade size and machine type affect cutting depth.
Cutting speed isn’t always the only consideration.
If you’re making a construction cut in concrete, fast material removal may be the priority.
If you’re cutting porcelain or another visible finished material, edge quality and control may be more important.
As a general guide:
For tile applications, see our Tile, Porcelain and Ceramic Cutting Guide.
Once you know the material, machine and cutting requirements, you can narrow down the blade.
| Application | Blade type to consider |
|---|---|
| Concrete | Suitable segmented construction blade |
| Reinforced concrete | Blade designed for reinforced concrete |
| Brick and block | Blade matched to material density |
| Engineering brick | Blade suitable for dense masonry |
| Asphalt and abrasive materials | Blade designed for abrasive applications |
| Porcelain | Suitable continuous rim tile blade |
| Ceramic tile | Suitable tile cutting blade |
| Stone | Blade matched to the type of stone |
These are general starting points. Always check the specification of the individual blade before use.
The cheapest blade isn’t necessarily the most economical option.
A blade that cuts slowly or wears quickly can increase labour time and lead to more frequent replacements.
When comparing blades, consider:
For professional work, the right blade specification can make a noticeable difference to productivity.
You can browse our range of professional diamond blades for concrete, brick, block and masonry.
Using an unsuitable blade can affect both cutting performance and blade life.
Common problems include:
If your blade is not cutting as expected, don’t immediately assume that it has worn out.
Check whether:
Our guide to Why Is My Diamond Blade Not Cutting? covers common causes of poor cutting performance.
If you’re still unsure which blade you need, the quickest way to narrow down the options is to know:
If you’d rather speak to someone, call Chris on 07879 653725
We supply diamond blades for a range of professional cutting applications, including:
Browse our full range of diamond blades to find a blade for your application.
Start by identifying the material you need to cut. Then consider whether it is reinforced, the machine you are using, the required cutting depth and the finish you need. These factors will help you choose a suitable blade specification.
A suitable segmented diamond blade is commonly used for concrete because it provides good material removal and cutting performance. The correct blade depends on the concrete, machine and cutting conditions.
Use a blade that is specifically designed or rated for reinforced concrete. Steel reinforcement creates additional resistance and heat, so a general-purpose blade may not provide the required performance.
Engineering brick is dense and can require a blade designed for harder masonry. Choose a blade according to the material specification rather than assuming a standard brick-cutting blade will be suitable.
The blade diameter must match the machine you are using. Check the machine manufacturer’s instructions, blade diameter, bore size and maximum RPM before fitting a blade.
Poor cutting can have several causes, including an unsuitable blade, incorrect bond, incorrect cutting technique or glazing. Check that the blade matches the material and machine before replacing it.
Don’t choose a diamond blade simply because it is the cheapest option.
Choose it according to the material, machine, cutting depth and finish you need.
Right blade. Right machine. Better cutting.
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