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 will help the blade dulls more than other woods. 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 if it's much better without going to a carbide tip or something to go. Stick to fir or pine or moderately hard wood and it will last a while.