Diamond blade

All of the diamond particles are fully exposed and fastened on the exterior cutting edge of the blade instead of being embedded within a metal-diamond mixture.

Finer synthetic diamond grits will reduce the chipping of tile and burring of steel and provide a smoother finish.

Some cores have spaces (known as gullets) between segments to provide cooling and slurry removal, while others have a single continuous rim for smoother cutting.

If they are used in dry cuttings, the silver solder may melt and the segments can break from the steel core and become a serious safety hazard.

A laser melts and combines the metal of the diamond segment and the steel core creating a stronger weld, which can hold the segments even in high temperatures, meaning that laser welded diamond blades can be used to cut many types of stone without water cooling.

However, when cutting very hard or abrasive materials, e.g., concrete containing reinforcing rebar, laser welded diamond blades should also be used with adequate water.

Harder materials need a softer bonded segment to allow for continuous diamond exposure.

[clarification needed] In addition, the diamonds' grit (size), toughness, and concentration should also match the nature of the material to be sawed.

However, diamond tools and blades work better when wet, and dry cutting should be limited to situations in which water cannot or should not be used.

When water cannot be used (in, for example, electrical saws), measures should be taken to ensure that the operator does not inhale the dust created by the process, which can cause silicosis, a serious lung disease.