blade for Frontier OS-23

[joebuck]

I have an OS-23 with 10 hp engine. When sawing 9 inch wide red oak boards the blade deflects ~1/8 inch on knots. I'm running the stock 1 1/4" wide, 0.042 thick blade with 10 degree tooth angle. Bought the blades from Norwood/Frontier--believe they are made by Kasco. Guide blocks are set to within a hair of the blade. Blade seems tight (6 turns on the T handle) and is tracking properly. I want to try a 4 degree tooth. Should I also increase blade thickness to 0.045, or will blade life be substantially reduced with small (16 inch) wheels? Thanks for any recommendations!

[mudfarmer]

"Blade seems tight" -- maybe it isn't? A guy with a Hud-Son checked out my LT15 and said WOW your blade is a lot tighter than mine, maybe that is why I get such wavy cuts? Well I do not have wavy cut/knot dive issues much and blade is set at WM specs