Just to add more data to your decision-engine . . . I use the 1/2" Resaw King on a relatively inexpensive Grizzly 17" bandsaw with good result. I have run it for a couple of years through leopardwood, shedua, white oak, maple, walnut and the usual suspects. It is far from "new" and still performs well. Your fingernail test makes me wonder if between the PBW and the Zebra wood some of the odd-jobs led to a fouled blade? Obviously we have to watch our guide setup when changing blades but a carbide tipped blade with a bad guide setup would be pretty obvious when hand turning the wheels to check prior to applying power to the machine. The point being, that blade should not be in that shape after the period of use you have. I do keep a few Timberwolf 2-3 VPC bands on hand which do well for the first 100 feet or so in tough material. I consider them very disposable blades but, having a couple on hand could save you from a work stoppage.