Abstract: A rotary disc cutter for cutting workpieces, especially gears and the like. The rotary cutter comprises a plurality of cutting blades arranged about the periphery of a rotary disc cutting body with at least a portion of the blades being roughing blades comprising a tip and two sides with each side having first and second side portions. The first side portion along with the tip defining a cutting surface of the blades while the second side portion is relieved such that a clearance is formed between the second side portion and the surface of the workpiece. The clearance being of a dimension to allow the flow of coolant therethrough thereby improving the cooling of the cutting surface and enhancing the flow of chips away form the vicinity of the blades. The invention further includes a substantially reduced number of blade segments. Alternative blade tip configurations are also disclosed.