I usually cut metal and hardwood with these blades. I've always preferred 3/8" as a good balance between straight and curved cuts. I've cut teak and bronze and the blade will definitely wear out after an hour or two. There are some minerals in teak that I think should be taken into account the blade dulls more than other types of wood. And I don't know why, but silicon bronze seems almost as bad as steel for this type of blade. But I'm not sure it's much better without going to a carbide tip or something something to go in. holly fir or pine or moderately hardwood and it will last a while.