The ceramic guides handle heat better than bearing guides, allowing for closer placement to the blade, often touching it. Metal bearings, however, are spaced away and only spin when the blade deflects, affecting cut quality.
The ceramic guide systems offer 10 contact points around the workpiece—5 above and 5 below. Side ceramics above and below the rear thrust ceramic dampen blade oscillations for a superior cut.
Replacement ceramic inserts are affordable & last long time