When a utility crew has a handful of asphalt cuts to make and does not need a production blade, the MK-700W is the size-for-size answer. It is MK Diamond's Standard Grade wet asphalt blade - a laser-welded, 12mm-segment blade built for the 8 to 20 horsepower walk-behind and push saws that most street, fence and utility crews actually own. This 12-inch, .125-inch kerf version is the entry size in the family and the common choice for shallow trench and patch layout work.
Built for
- Full-depth utility and trench cuts in asphalt pavement for water, sewer, gas and fiber crews.
- Street openings, patch boxes and saw-cut layout ahead of a mill-and-patch repair.
- Squaring off failed pavement on parking lots, drives and paving jobs before removal.
- Municipal and DOT street department work on walk-behind and cart-mounted wet saws.
- Rental fleets that need a known asphalt blade for the 8 to 20-horsepower saws they already rent out.
Use Cases
The single most expensive mistake in pavement sawing is running the wrong blade in the wrong material. MK Diamond says so directly in its own blade manual: the most frequent problem it sees is a user cutting the wrong material with the wrong blade. Asphalt is abrasive and it loads a cut differently than cured concrete does, which is why MK builds a separate asphalt line and rates the MK-700W as Good on asphalt in its published application chart.
One caution worth reading before you order: MK does not recommend the MK-700W for asphalt over concrete. That job is a different blade in MK's lineup (the 600 series combination blades). If your cut will punch through the mat and into a concrete base, ask us and we will point you at the right part instead.
Getting full life out of it
This is a wet-cutting blade. MK is unambiguous that wet cutting blades can never be run dry, and publishes a water rate of 2 to 4 gallons per minute delivered evenly to both sides of the blade. Water does three jobs at once: it cools the steel core, it keeps the dust signature down, and it flushes the fines out of the kerf. Contractors describe the same thing in their own words - water helps the fines wash out of the cut and makes the blade last.
The two failure modes crews complain about most are both avoidable. A blade that stops cutting has usually glazed over from being forced; MK's guidance is to let the blade cut rather than push it, so fresh diamond keeps exposing. A blade that dies with segment still on it has usually been undercut, where slurry grinds away the core beneath the segments. More water, shallower step-down passes and staying out of the sub-base are the standard fixes.
Specifications
- Model: MK Diamond MK-700W, Standard Grade for asphalt
- Manufacturer part number: 133553
- Diameter: 12-inch (305mm)
- Width (kerf): .125-inch
- Arbor: 1-inch
- Segment height: 12mm
- Horsepower range: 8 to 20 hp
- Construction: laser welded
- Cutting method: wet only
- Material rated by MK: asphalt (good). Asphalt over concrete is not recommended.
- Available in this family: 12-inch through 24-inch
Frequently asked questions
Can I run this blade dry?
No. MK Diamond states that its wet cutting blades can never be used dry. Plan on 2 to 4 gallons of water per minute fed evenly to both sides of the blade. Water cools the steel core, keeps the dust down and flushes the fines out of the cut.
Will it cut asphalt over concrete?
MK does not recommend it for that. The MK-700W is rated for asphalt only. If your cut will go through the asphalt mat and into a concrete base, MK routes that job to its combination blades. Contact us and we will identify the right part.
What saw does the 12-inch size fit?
It uses a 1-inch arbor and MK publishes an 8 to 20 horsepower range for this model, which covers the usual walk-behind and cart-mounted wet saws. Check the arbor on your saw before ordering.
What is the difference between the MK-700W and the MK-705W?
They share the same 12mm segment height, 1-inch arbor, laser-welded construction and 8 to 20 hp range. MK rates the MK-700W Good on asphalt and the MK-705W Better, and the premium 705W family runs up to 30 inches in diameter where the 700W stops at 24 inches.
Why did my last blade stop cutting partway through a job?
Usually glazing. Forcing the cut closes the blade up so new diamond cannot expose. Ease off, let the blade cut at its own rate and keep water on it. If the blade failed with segment still left, look at undercutting instead - slurry grinding away the core below the segments.
Discount Cleaning Products is an authorized MK Diamond dealer. Blades ship direct from stocking inventory, orders are handled by a US-based team that works with contractor and municipal purchasing every day, and we can help confirm arbor, kerf and horsepower against your saw before you order.
