The one hint Ive gotten from all my friends is this..I know it might sound crazy but you can go to home depot and get about 100 blades for 10 bucks. My rule of thumb id 2 cuts per blade and it stays nice and sharp. Cut on glass if you can. Put the used blades back in the box and use them for building 100 blades will last forever. Also I agree with the others, Ultracote is the way to go. Not a shiny, but it does not sag as much and its ten times easier to work with.. Good luck.

Pete