Novel bits and cutting structures

A cutting element disposed on a downhole cutting tool, comprising:

• a support element;
• a shaped shearing element disposed on the support element, wherein the shaped shearing element is disposed proximal to a leading edge of the downhole cutting tool;
• and
• a retaining element overlaying at least a portion of the shaped shearing element.

A cutting element disposed on a downhole cutting tool, comprising:

• a support element;
• a shearing element disposed on the support element, wherein the shearing element comprises;
• thermally stable polycrystalline diamond;
• a sharpened cutting edge proximal to a leading edge of the downhole cutting tool;
• and
• at least one blended edge, wherein the at least one blended edge forms part of an interface with the support element.

A drill bit for drilling earth formations comprising:

• a bit body having at least one support element disposed thereon;
• and
• a shearing element disposed on the at least one support element, wherein the shearing element comprises;
• thermal stable polycrystalline diamond;
• a sharpened cutting edge proximal to a leading edge of the downhole cutting tool;
• and
• at least one blended edge, wherein the at least one blended edge forms part of an interface with the at least one support element.

A drill bit for drilling earth formations comprising:

• a bit body;
• a plurality of inserts disposed on the bit body, wherein at least one of the plurality of inserts comprises an insert body and a shaped shearing element disposed on the insert body;
• and
• a retaining element overlaying at least a portion of the shaped shearing element.

A drill bit comprising:

• a bit body;
• a plurality of inserts disposed on the bit body, wherein at least one of the plurality of inserts comprises an insert body and a shearing element disposed on the insert body, wherein the shearing element comprises;
• thermally stable polycrystalline diamond;
• a sharpened cutting edge located proximal a leading edge of the drill bit;
• and
• at least one blended edge, wherein the at least one blended edge forms part of an interface with the insert body.

A method of forming a diamond-impregnated insert having a shearing portion, the method comprising:

• forming a diamond-impregnated insert body;
• forming a beveled shearing portion;
• and
• bonding the beveled shearing portion to the diamond-impregnated insert body.

A method of forming an insert having a shearing portion, the method comprising:

• forming an insert body;
• forming a shearing portion, wherein the shearing portion comprises,
• a sharpened cutting face located proximal a leading edge of the diamond-impregnated insert;
• and
• at least one blended edge, wherein the at least one blended edge forms part of an interface with the insert body;
• and
• bonding the shearing portion to the diamond-impregnated insert body to form the diamond-impregnated insert.