What is an inlay?

Cutter blades are actually two pieces of steel, adhered together. You can barely see the difference, but the cutting edge area is a much harder material than the rest of the blade. The edge material is known as the "inlay".

There are three types of inlays (not all blade models come in all materials):

Standard Tool Steel:

This quality steel will hold up to all materials under normal use. This is a good blade material for light use cutters.

HSS (High Speed Steel):

This material is much harder than Standard Tool Steel, and will last 3-5 times longer between sharpenings. Recommended as the most versatile blade material available. Best for heavy use cutters. Works well with all cutting stick materials.

Tungsten Carbide:

This is the hardest material available for cutter blades. Will last up to 25 times longer than Standard Tool Steel blades between sharpenings. Extremely high wear resistance. For heavy use cutters. Will hold up to tough materials much longer (chipboard, acetate, laminates, board, coated stock, etc.) Clear, white, or gray cutting sticks recommended for these blades. Not available for all cutter models.