I agree that there's nothing like a NEW blade. If I'm starting a NEW PROJECT - I insert a new blade.
If I'm just cutting up scraps and the blade seems a little dull, I will use the sharpeners. I like them and they work well enough.
CAUTION: When rotary cutting and you hit a BUMP - STOP do not go over bump again - and again - and a third again. It's probably a pin! Ask me how I found out about this! LOL
The blade then had a nick in it and the sharpener took it right out.