In the paper, the author analyzes on the working procedure and failure types of the cutting tools of fullface hard rock tunnel boring machines (TBMs) and the reasons for the cutting tool failures. Based on his own experience in tunnel construction by means of TBMs, the author presents the issues to which attention should be paid during the working of the cutter heads and the cutting tools and recommends some countermeasures. The author also probes into the establishing of cutting tool management systems that can well match the highspeed advance of TBMs.