Patent ID: 7543661

Claim:
A bit for drilling subterranean formations comprising: a steel bit body comprising a number of cutting elements extending from the bit wherein one or more of the cutting elements comprises a steel base portion projecting outwardly a distance, and a substantially solid end portion attached to the base and extending therefrom forming a tip of the cutting element, the end portion formed from a wear resistant material having a microstructure comprising a first phase of grains selected from the group consisting of carbide, borides, nitrides, and carbonitrides of W, Ti, Mo, Nb, V, Hf, Ta and Cr refractory metals, and a second phase of a binder material selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, Fe and alloys thereof, wherein a braze material is interposed between and attaching the end portion to the steel base element, wherein the cutting element base includes a recessed opening along a top surface, and wherein the end portion includes a projection that extends from a bottom surface and that is disposed in the recessed opening.