CUTTING BLADE APPARATUS AND METHODS
A cutting blade includes a blade body 10 with one or more cutting elements 20/50 positioned along its periphery. The elements can be keyed to the blade core to help provide secure mounting onto the blade, and can include a polychrystaline diamond composite (PDC) portion as a primary cutting material. Protection elements 80 can be positioned to reduce wear and other damage to the blade core 10 and/or any substrate supporting the PDC, and thereby extend the life of the blade assembly.