Which diamond blade should you choose for porcelain stoneware and tiles? Types, applications, and practical advice from an expert

Choosing the Right Diamond Blade – Expert Advice from the Market

Selecting the right diamond blade is one of the most frequently asked questions among tilers and finishing contractors. In practice, there is no single universal blade — the key is to match the blade to the material, working technique, and the equipment being used.

In this article, we:

• explain the differences between various types of diamond blades,

• show which solutions work best in specific applications,

• and give the floor to an industry expert who advises B2B tile installers on a daily basis.

Why Is Choosing the Right Diamond Blade So Important?

An improperly selected blade can cause chipping, material overheating, and significantly reduce tool lifespan.
Porcelain tiles and modern ceramic tiles are extremely hard materials, which means the blade must:

• cut smoothly and consistently,

• remain rigid and stable,

• effectively dissipate heat and remove debris.

Expert Insight – Mr. Mariusz Utkała

Owner of Proagmar – tools for professional tile installers

What cutting technique do you use to avoid chipping during manual cutting?

“Avoiding chipping during manual cutting is not easy, but it is definitely possible. The first step is choosing the right blade for the material being processed.
I personally use blades with a smooth segment. Distar offers several models of this type. The best chipping-free results are achieved with the Shine blade, available in 100 mm and 125 mm diameters. The kerf width is only 0.6 mm. Depending on the tile type, chipping is either completely eliminated or reduced to a minimum.

It’s important to note that the Shine blade requires water cooling. Alternatively, for dry cutting, the Perfect blade can be used. Its kerf width is 1.5 mm, and it is extremely durable — the smooth segment with a height of up to 25 mm ensures long service life when properly handled (regular relieving and sharpening).

Proper grinder power is also crucial — ideally around 1100 W with a rotational speed of 11,000 rpm for corded grinders. Battery-powered grinders can also be used; they typically operate at around 8,500 rpm. In this case, selecting the right blade is essential — I recommend the Shine blade (wet cutting) or Esthete 2.0 (dry cutting).

Additional grinder attachments can also be used to stabilize the tool (eliminating lateral tilt) and often allow for dust extraction, which greatly improves working comfort. For straight cuts, AirDuster90 attachments with fixed cutting depth adjustment work very well. The Roller attachment not only stabilizes the tool but also enables dynamic plunge cutting and connection to the Spray system, allowing for wet cutting. As you can see, there are many options — everyone can find a solution that suits their needs.”

How Long Does a Blade Need to “Break In” After Changing the Cutting Angle?

Usually, a cutting length of 0.5–1 linear meter is sufficient.

“Depending on the material, 0.5–1 meter of cutting is typically enough. With new blades, I always recommend a short break-in process to properly expose the diamond grit — making a few cuts in a highly abrasive material helps the blade ‘settle in’ correctly.”

What Are Your Proven Tips for Cutting Thick or Very Hard Porcelain Tiles?

Thick porcelain tiles are best cut wet; for dry cutting, turbo blades and technical breaks are essential.

“When cutting thick porcelain tiles (20 mm), turbo-segmented blades should be used for dry cutting. Personally, however, I recommend wet cutting with electric tile saws whenever possible.

That said, such equipment is not always available. When dry cutting, the best results are achieved using handheld grinders with 230 mm blades, such as GresMaster. The same blade is also available in 115 mm and 125 mm diameters and can be used to cut 20 mm porcelain tiles, keeping in mind that cuts should be short. For longer cuts, technical breaks are necessary to prevent overheating. Frequent relieving and sharpening of the blade should also never be overlooked.”

Does a Double-Sided Working Surface Really Improve Damping and Cutting Quality?

Yes — but only when combined with properly maintained equipment.

“A well-balanced blade significantly improves working comfort. The double-sided working surface of the Edge DRY blade allows cutting from both sides, which positively impacts blade efficiency when considering its purchase cost.

However, it’s important to remember that the blade is only one part of the equation. If the grinder is worn out and has play in the gearbox, even the best blade will not deliver clean cuts.”

Which Distar Blades Are Most Popular Among Professional Tile Installers?

Blade selection depends on the type of cut, the material, and the expected result.

“Depending on the application:

• The most commonly chosen blade for precision cutting with an angle grinder is currently Distar Shine 125 mm, used together with the SPRAY water-feeding system. Contractors also choose the 100 mm version for short cuts.

• The Perfect 125 mm and 115 mm blades rank second in popularity.

• Distar Esthete, Esthete 2.0, and Scalpel also have their loyal users.

• Among small-diameter precision blades, the most frequently selected is Butterfly 45 mm / 0.6 mm for Proxxon grinders and drills. The new 0.45 mm version for Proxxon LWB/LWB-E drills has already gained its first customers.

• When cutting speed is the top priority, installers opt for turbo-segmented blades such as GresMaster 125 mm and 115 mm.

• For 45° bevel cuts, Edge DRY 125 mm and 115 mm are by far the most popular choices.

• Contractors also reach for the more affordable ProGRES blade, which delivers good results despite having a different segment design — 20 mm on one side and a classic 10 mm on the other.

• For large-diameter blades (180 mm and above) used with electric tile saws, Hard Ceramic Advanced 230/250 mm is the most commonly chosen. For straight and 45° cuts, installers also frequently use EDGE blades with 25 mm segments, typically in 230 mm and 250 mm diameters.

• The range also includes Termit and Colibri (76 mm) blades for mini grinders, as well as universal vacuum-brazed blades such as MasterCUT and MasterGRIND, which also allow for grinding.”

Summary

There is no one blade that fits every application. The key to clean, efficient cutting is selecting the right tool for the specific task, material, and working technique.