band saw blades . . . . again

[opticsguy]

My first question about band saw blades, seems there are always posts about this subject.

Purchased 12 blades with my new saw, 13 total and now on blade #7.

The first two blades performed well, but this was my first cutting experience.
Blade #3 flew through the logs like a hot knife in warm butter and lasted a very long time.
Blade #4 was the same as the first 2 - average.
Blade #5 seemed to be ok, but dulled quickly despite the fact I was cutting boards with no outside bark/log edges. 
Blade #6 was DOA,   At the beginning of the cut the blade dove down at least a 25 degree angle. A dismount and remount produced the same result.
Blade #7 is performing well.

So, my question is , do you often see this kind of variety in new blades?  How about after a re-sharpening?

This next week i will be taking a few blades to a local shop for a resharpening and see what happens.

Also do you guys fold your blades up or just carry them in to saw shop as is?

[Chuck White]

Seems odd to me to get such varying degrees of cutting quality in new blades!

When I unpack my blades, I fold them and they stay that way unless I'm setting or sharpening them, or they're on the mill.  Just easier to handle!

[bandmiller2]

I've found most bands consistant in a lot.The variable is the logs unseen grit is the big problem. Were the bands a name brand.? Frank C.

[davey duck]

I just used a box of 15 blades in the last monththey all worked fine ,went from 300-600 board feet per blade the lower numbers were from cutting flood plane popular that had years of silt in the bark,I am using .42 1 1/4 x158 10 deg.silvertip woodmizer blades.

[opticsguy]

Thanks for your replies. 

I am trying to figure out if blades always vary so much, or if it is something I am doing or??

All my trees are Maple and Alder. I either remove the bark where the blades cut or wash pretty thoroughly with a garden hose.

The one blade that keeps diving down at 25 degrees really surprises me. 

Yes, my blades came supplied with my TK saw.  I do not know the specs on my blades.

What should i ask for when I get them resharpened? (specs)

[pineywoods]

Not enough set or more set on one side than the other. Problem gets worse when the blade gets dull. Dive /climb problems are almost always the blade. Don't go tweakin on the mill to try to correct it, just make it worse. If you are still using the blades that came with the mill, I assume you are new at the sawyer game. Don't feel bad, most of us went through the same problems with a new mill. Took me quite a while to learn the difference between a blade that feels sharp and one that is truely sharp sharp.

[hackberry jake]

I agree with piney. Have the shop check and reset the set.