If you are having trouble with it skipping, I would change the blade. Skipped cuts is more frustrating than anything. Several teachers have said to put in a new blade with every project. That might be a bit often, in my book, but when I start having trouble, I just change the blade. It also depends on how much cutting you're doing, with that blade, as to how long they last. Are you bumping into the edge of the ruler when you start or going over a pin - OOH horrors! ?