Matt, some of the older Riptide blades were also laminated like the Tenryu. Do they have recessed arrows on the plates? If not, they are probably more like the Milwaukee blades. I have a few customers that use the Milwaukee blades and have sharpened them maybe 8 times before the blade is worn out. Like I said earlier, let the blade do the work, don't force it and you will have longer service life from any of these blades. The Tenryu is just a little more forgiving than the other blades I have seen.

Two major factors in the carbide life are heat and impact. If the carbide is dull, then the cut generates more heat and carbide fatigue (cracks and chips) will occur. This also causes more stress on the plate and cracks can occur. If the material is not clamped solid and moves during the cut, then impact damage can occur. Short fall off pieces also cause alot of damage to the carbide and the steel plates on these saws... try to clamp both sides of the cut.