Hard brick is dense, and dense material dulls diamonds faster than it wears the bond holding them. The MK-10 uses a soft matrix for exactly that reason: the bond erodes at a controlled rate so a fresh layer of diamond is always presented at the cutting edge instead of a rounded, glazed one. MK describes the 10 series as providing fast, efficient cutting and long life on all types of brick, especially those in the harder range. This is the 14-inch Supreme grade blade on a 1-inch arbor.
Built for
- Bricklayers cutting hard, dense and clay brick on a masonry saw
- Paver and hardscape crews cutting clay brick pavers to fit
- Restoration and tuckpointing work where the brick is old, hard and unforgiving
- Production brick cutting where a glazing blade stops the whole saw
Specifications
- MK Diamond part number 128777
- Series: MK-10
- Diameter: 14 inches (356 mm)
- Segment width (kerf): .125 inch
- Arbor: 1 inch
- Grade: Supreme
- Rim: segmented
- Cutting method: wet
- Bond: soft matrix
- Material: brick, including hard and dense brick
Matching the bond to the material
Diamond blade selection starts with bond hardness, not diameter. The metal matrix holding the diamonds has to erode at roughly the same rate the material dulls them. Erode too slowly and the blade glazes over and stops cutting; erode too fast and you throw away segment height you paid for. The working rule is that harder, denser material wants a softer bond, and softer or more abrasive material wants a harder bond. MK Diamond builds the masonry line around exactly that split: the MK-10 is a soft matrix for hard brick, the MK-50 is a hard matrix for abrasive concrete block, and the MK-30 sits between them as a medium-hard combination bond for crews that cut both.
Where this blade sits in the MK masonry line
MK Diamond groups its wet-cutting masonry blades by bond rather than by saw. The MK-10 is the soft-matrix blade for brick, including hard and dense brick. The MK-50 is the hard-matrix blade for concrete block, both precision and slump. The MK-30 is the medium-hard combination bond that cuts either one, trading some speed and some blade life for not having to change blades between materials. If your work is almost all one material, the dedicated blade is the cheaper blade per cut; if you move between brick and block on the same saw all day, the combination blade usually wins.
Operating notes
Run this blade wet. Water does two jobs on a segmented masonry blade: it clears the slurry out of the kerf so the segments keep biting, and it carries heat away from the steel core, which is what keeps a core from warping or losing tension. Feed at a steady, moderate rate and let the blade do the work. Forcing a segmented blade into dense material heats the core and rounds the leading edge of the segments rather than cutting faster. Never exceed the maximum operating speed marked on the blade, and check that the saw arbor, flanges and blade guard are in good condition before mounting.
Frequently asked questions
Why does hard brick need a soft bond?
It sounds backwards, but it is the rule that governs diamond blade selection. Hard, dense material dulls diamonds quickly without wearing the surrounding bond. If the bond does not erode, those dull diamonds stay at the surface and the blade glazes and stops cutting. A soft matrix erodes at a controlled rate so worn diamonds release and fresh ones are exposed.
Will the MK-10 cut concrete block?
It will cut it, but block is abrasive and will wear a soft bond down quickly, so blade life will be short. For block MK publishes the hard-matrix MK-50, and for crews cutting both brick and block the MK-30 combination blade is the middle ground.
Is this a wet or dry blade?
Wet. Run water on the cut for the whole pass. It clears slurry so the segments keep biting and it carries heat out of the steel core.
What arbor does it take?
This part number is a 1 inch arbor, standard for masonry table saws in this size class.
Does it work on clay pavers?
Yes. Clay brick pavers are a common application for the 10 series, and users report clean, fast cuts with very little visible wear on the blade.
Discount Cleaning Products is an authorized MK Diamond dealer with US-based support. Our staff works with masonry, restoration and building-maintenance contractors every day, so if you are unsure which brick blade is right for the material you are cutting, call or email us with the saw and the material and we will point you at the correct part number.
