Sandpaper, did it get better recently?

[Tom Fischer]

I don't like to sand much stuff. Have a nice smoothing plane, and scrapers that takes care of most of my stuff.
Haven't used much sandpaper in several years.
Current project has cabriole legs, nothing straight, nothing flat.
So bought some Norton 80 and 180, also 80 grit sanding drums.
Seems this stuff cuts a lot better, lasts a lot longer than what I remember.
Did this stuff get a lot better recently?
... some anonymous Chemist toiling in the basement of Norton abrasives or 3M??
Just wondering...

[Kevin Guarnotta]

they keep claiming it is improved, I've noticed it seems better...I think the paper backing has improved. but not really sure.

[Prashun Patel]

Did you use the Norton 3x or Norton regular? The 3x is good stuff, IMHO.

[Tom Fischer]

Oh, Geez, I am sorry. It is 3M Sandblaster Pro (not Norton at all).
Out of the package, it just feels different from the other stuff I always had.
The paper backing looks like it has some fabric in it.
****
And just wanted to end the week on a happy note.
Things really are getting better, even if we don't always notice. :)