Concrete cutting is both dangerous and highly challenging. Operating concrete cutting blades and saws without the proper training exposes you to life-threatening hazards, including kickback, blade binding, and dangerous silica dust. Selecting the wrong blade only increases the risks and can result in severe injury or worse.
Concrete varies in thickness, consistency, compressive strength, aggregate size, and more. Without the knowledge of how to cut concrete and account for these variables, you risk choosing the wrong blade thickness, segment width, or design. These decisions impact the ease, precision, effectiveness, and cleanliness of every cut.
From our long history of concrete cutting in Melbourne, here’s an introduction to the most common blades.
1. Ridgeback Cured Concrete
Every great concrete cutter will use a turbo-rim blade just about every day. It’s a prime example of an aggressive, serrated-rim diamond blade that chews through the roughest and hardest of concrete and bricks in no time for a smooth finish. The blades are made using synthetic diamond crystals, creating an extremely strong cutting surface that is safer than the abrasive blade that we will discuss later.
Powers Fasteners is one of Australia’s most innovative drilling and anchoring companies. They have added the RIDGEBACK Diamond range of products to their already extensive range of accessories. The collection includes professional-quality turbo blades, continuous rim blades, segmented blades, laser-welded demolition saw blades, and a full range of diamond grinding cups.
Special Features
- Raised centre arbour provides superior strength behind flanges for a positive grip.
- Directional arrows cut into the blade blank eliminate the risk of incorrect installation after use.
- High concentration of quality diamonds for maximum cutting efficiency.
- Added cooling holes in the heavy-duty blank help keep the blade cool during operation.
- Deep segment depth enables faster, more aggressive cuts.
- Press-fit bushes integrated into the core for a secure fit.
- 12 mm high segment on 9” / 230 mm blades.
- 10 mm high segment on 4” / 4.5” / 5” blades.
- Suitable for both wet and dry cutting applications.
Uses
- Cured and reinforced concrete
- Clay bricks
- Granite
- Terracotta roof tiles
- Steel pipe and tube
- Bluestone
- Hebel block
2. 14″ Asphalt & Green Concrete Segmented Diamond Blade
Also featuring diamond edges, the segmented concrete blade gets its name from the ‘gullets’ – the spaces between the blade’s segments. These gullets work to efficiently clear the dust and cool the blade, as well as preventing the development of cracks due to a bit of in-built flexibility.
The Asphalt & Green Concrete Segmented Diamond Blades deliver durability in full-depth asphalt cuts. They provide undercut protection in abrasive applications with laser-welded drop segments. The unique diamond formula gives the asphalt blades up to three times longer life. Wide gullets remove slurry quickly, continually exposing fresh diamonds during cutting.
Special Features
- Delivers durability in full-depth asphalt cuts.
- Provides up to 3× longer life when cutting concrete.
- Built with laser-welded segments for increased durability.
- Includes undercut protection with drop segments.
- Removes slurry quickly with wide gullets.
- Suitable for both wet and dry cutting applications.
- Suitable for asphalt, green concrete, and cured concrete.
- Compatible with cut-off saws, brick saws, walk-behind masonry saws, and self-propelled masonry saws.
- Works for both wet and dry cutting applications.
- Arbor size: 1″ – 20 mm.
- Maximum RPM: 4,800.
Use With:
- Cut-off saws
- Self-propelled saws
- Walk-behind saws
- Brick saws
3. MK-200 Standard Grade Tile Blades
It’s easy to spot a continuous rim cutting blade because of the consistent (or continuous!) nature of the rim. However, because it lacks the segments or cut-outs, it’s most suitable for wet cutting concrete due to the less effective cooling and the presence of debris. The cut itself is of extremely high quality, and perfect for materials like granite, marble, porcelain, or tile. The cutting takes longer than with the more versatile wet-dry blades, though.
These fast-cutting tile blades deliver smooth, chip-free cuts on tile and other stone materials. They perform exceptionally well on dense floor materials. For optimal results, use the MK 200 with a steady feed rate and continuous water flow to minimize chipping and overheating.
This blade is best suited for general-purpose tile cutting rather than specialty or extremely dense materials. Since it lacks the segments or cut-outs, it’s most suitable for wet cutting concrete due to the less effective cooling and the presence of debris.
Key Features
- Continuous rim design for smooth, clean cuts.
- 7 mm rim height for balanced performance and durability.
- Optimized for wet cutting to extend blade life and improve cut quality.
- Suitable for use with standard tile saws.
- Performs well on most common tile materials.
For Use In:
- Ceramic Tile
- Vitreous Tile
- Slate Tile
- Limestone Tile
- Marble Tile
- Blue Stone Tile
- Hard Quartz Tile
4. XP Metal Cutting Wheels Type 1
The best concrete cutting professionals will also be familiar with the abrasive cutting blade, which are made from hard compounds like silicon carbide and aluminium oxide. But these same pros will probably tell you that wear is a problem, not to mention the likelihood of blade failure and dangerous blade dusts.
The DEWALT Type 1 XP Metal Cutting Wheel features a specially treated grain combination and a thin .045-inch wheel design that delivers burr-free cuts. Its aggressive cutting action pairs with an exclusive material mix to provide extended wheel life. Dual fiberglass layers make this wheel safer and more stable for high-performance work.
Key Features
- Thin .045″ wheel design for fast cuts.
- Specially treated grain combination for aggressive cutting.
- Proprietary material mix for durability and long wheel life.
- Reinforced with two full sheets of fiberglass for added safety and strength.
- Designed for use with right-angle grinders and other compatible cutting tools.
Use With:
- Right-angle grinders
- Bench grinders (with proper mounting)
- Chop saws (compatible arbor size)
- Stationary cut-off machines
5. Premium Segmented Rim Diamond Abrasive Blades
Either diamond or abrasive blades can be used in the circular saw, which is a highly useful tool for cutting a large range of tough materials with a set depth and smooth finish.
The Bosch Premium Segmented Rim Diamond Blade delivers fast cuts in abrasive materials such as concrete, block, brick, and asphalt. The segment design and bond provide a strong, secure connection. This universal blade works on most masonry and concrete materials. The increased segment height extends blade life by up to three times; suitable for both wet and dry cutting.
Key Features
- Delivers fast cuts for concrete, block, brick, and stone.
- Compatible with multiple arbor sizes (including reduction rings) and saw types, including walk-behind and high-speed saws.
- Offers up to 3× longer lifespan thanks to its elevated segment height and improved diamond formulation.
- Segments are laser-welded to the steel core.
- Engineered for both wet and dry cutting.
- Includes an easy-to-use colour-coding system for quick material and blade matching.
Use With:
- Right-angle grinders
- Bench grinders (with proper mounting)
- Chop saws (compatible arbor size)
- Stationary cut-off machines
For Use In:
- Concrete
- Concrete building block
- Solid brick
- Lime and sand bricks
- Brick
- Asphalt
Hard Core VIC: Safety and Precision Guaranteed
Never overlook the fact that cutting concrete is hazardous. Errors can cause expensive damage or fatal accidents. Hard Core VIC, concrete cutting and drilling professionals, is your best bet if you have some concrete cutting that needs doing correctly and safely the first time.
Get in touch with one of our most experienced, skilled, and friendliest concrete cutters today to discuss your particular project.
Frequently Asked Questions
How deep should you cut concrete?
The depth you should cut concrete depends on the purpose of the cut. For control joints, the standard guideline is to cut to a depth of one-quarter to one-third the thickness of the slab.
For example, a 100 mm (4-inch) slab would require a control joint depth of 25–33 mm (1–1.3 inches).
For full-depth concrete demolition and removal, the cut should extend through the entire slab thickness. In many cases, this requires multiple passes to prevent overheating and blade damage.
Can a steel blade cut concrete?
A standard steel blade cannot safely cut concrete. Concrete is too hard and abrasive for plain steel. Steel blades designed for wood or metal are not engineered to handle the density and aggregate found in concrete, and using them can cause overheating, kickback, or blade failure.
What blade is best for cutting concrete?
The best blade for cutting concrete is a diamond blade. They feature a steel core with industrial-grade diamond segments bonded to the rim, which grind through concrete rather than tearing it. A segmented rim diamond blade is recommended as it offers fast cutting, effective cooling, and long life.