Updated 1 July 2025
Diamond blades have long been the quickest route to clean, precise cuts in tough materials—and the technology keeps getting better. The global market for stone‑cutting blades alone is forecast to grow from about £0.68 billion in 2025 to more than £1.6 billion by 2035 (converted from Future Market Insights’ US‑dollar figures). With tighter site‑efficiency targets and ever‑stricter sustainability goals, direct‑to‑end‑user buying has skyrocketed. Whether you’re a professional contractor or a serious DIYer, choosing the right blade can mean the difference between a smooth, profitable job and a dusty, costly headache.
Why diamond blades are still king in 2025
Modern diamond tools deliver faster cutting, longer life and lower overall cost compared with abrasive discs. Advancements in segment geometry, synthetic‑diamond technology and premium bonding give even higher speed and durability. Contractors also report reduced silica dust because sharper diamonds mean fewer passes—and fewer sparks mean a safer site.
How a diamond blade is built (and why it matters)
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Steel core – the body that keeps the blade rigid.
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Diamond segments – industrial diamonds bonded with metal powder; the bond controls wear rate.
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Gullets & cooling holes – allow debris removal and prevent overheating.
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Segment‑to‑core attachment – either sintered, high‑density sintered (HDS) or laser‑welded; attachment method greatly affects performance (see section below).
Hard vs. soft bonds
A hard bond exposes diamonds slowly, ideal for cutting soft, abrasive materials like asphalt. A soft bond wears quicker, constantly revealing fresh diamonds—perfect for hard concrete or granite.
Blade styles at a glance
| Style | Best for | Example blade | Key benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Segmented | Concrete, masonry, multi‑material | MPC® | Fast, aggressive, cooler running |
| Continuous Rim | Tile, porcelain, marble | Hero | Chip‑free finish |
| Continuous Turbo Rim | Multi‑material, reinforced concrete | Ultrasprint® | Combines speed with cleaner edge |
Our MPC® and Ultrasprint® multi‑material blades can tackle everything from brick to rebar without a change‑over, saving hours on site.
Matching blade hardness to material strength (our in‑house range)
| Material / Application | Recommended Blade | Bond & features |
| Old or hard concrete | Rapier® Concrete‑Cutting Blade | Medium‑soft bond turbo segments, laser‑welded to handle rebar hits without segment loss |
| Asphalt / tarmac | Tarmax® Asphalt‑Cutting Blade | Hard bond segmented blade with deep draft gullets to cope with bitumen and aggregate, plus cooling holes for dry rigs |
| General purpose brick, block & soft stone | MPC® Segmented Multi‑Material Blade | Hard‑wearing segmented design with split cooling slots for universal cuts |
| Fast universal cuts inc. rebar & lintels | Ultrasprint® Continuous Turbo Rim Blade | Continuous turbo rim; soft‑medium bond for high speed and clean finish |
| Ceramic tile & porcelain | Ultra‑thin Continuous Rim | Super‑soft bond, water friendly, chip‑free edge |
Pro tip: All blades can be run dry, but applying water where possible dramatically extends blade life, cuts dust and keeps temperatures under control.
Why HDS & laser‑welded blades leave standard sintered blades in the dust
Most entry‑level diamond blades are conventionally sintered—segments are pressed and fused to the steel core in a single operation. It keeps costs down, but the lower segment density can trap porosity and lead to premature diamond pull‑out.
High‑Density Sintered (HDS)
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We compact the segment mix under ultra‑high pressure on Dr Fritsch presses before a separate high‑temperature bake.
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The result is up to 15 % higher diamond concentration and 5× lower porosity than standard sintering.
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Field trials on Rapier® blades show 20 % faster cutting and at least 30 % longer life on C35 concrete slabs.
Laser‑Welded Segments
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A 2 kW laser fuses each segment to the core—no braze alloy, no stress cracks.
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Joints handle temperatures over 400 °C without failure, so you can run dry in emergency water‑loss situations.
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Independent drop‑test data confirms laser‑welded Rapier®, Tarmax®, MPC® and Ultrasprint® blades withstand 3× the impact energy of brazed equivalents.
Because we manufacture in‑house with Dr Fritsch machinery, every production batch is OSA (Organisation for the Safety of Abrasives) registered, guaranteeing traceability and safety compliance across Europe and the UK.
Five‑step checklist before you hit “Buy”
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Identify the material – concrete, asphalt, porcelain, multi‑material.
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Check the machine rpm – match blade diameter & arbor size.
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Use water where possible – while every blade in our range can run dry, cooling with water prolongs life, suppresses dust and speeds the cut.
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Balance cost vs. life – a premium blade may last 3–5× longer, saving money in the long run.
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Verify compliance – look for EN 13236 plus the OSA safety logo on the packaging.
Safety & compliance: UK rules you need to know
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Respirable crystalline silica (RCS): HSE recommends on‑tool extraction or water suppression.
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Hand–arm vibration (HAV): choose low‑vibration machines and sharp blades to stay below action limits.
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Personal Protective Equipment: FFP3 respirator, goggles, gloves and hearing protection.
Sustainability & lifespan: cut more, waste less
Longer‑lasting blades aren’t just good for your wallet—they cut landfill too. Multi‑use blades capable of 3,500+ cuts mean fewer disposals and transport emissions.
Ready to cut?
Explore our full range of Rapier®, Tarmax®, MPC® and Ultrasprint® blades—all in stock for next‑day UK delivery. Not sure which blade is right? Call our technical team on 0800 XXX XXXX or use the Blade Finder tool at the top of this page.
Happy cutting!