I am still kicking myself for buying a TrueSharp rotary blade sharpener, I found it worthless, and I could have bought quite a few blades for what I spent. I usually look for brands I recognize, searching for good deals on Amazon or E-Bay. Walmart is usually cheaper than JoAnns, even with a coupon.

I buy Improved Cut blades from Amazon and I like them. I used the Harbor Freight blades for awhile and at the beginning, I didn't have any problems, but the last couple I bought were not good at all.

I watch ebay and stock up when I find a brand I like at a good price. I gave up on bargain blades and Harbor Freight blades..just a waste of money. I bought a new mat a few months ago and cannot believe the difference it made! I had my old Olfa mat for a good 20 years...what a difference a new mat makes!
I use my old blades to quickly cut cardboard for recycling...it's so much faster and easier than tearing it! Just use a sharpie to mark your old blades.

i would say check ebay i use no name blades from where ever is cheapest i buy blades for myself plus blades for a group house we quilt at and we go thru alot of blades i try to stay with the titainium blades as they seem to last longer from experience. but you can get named brand blades much cheaper there too. i usually order my blades in a qty of 10-20 at a time and from a bad experience with the post office once i never wait til the last minuate i did that once and it took 3 mo to get them the seller had already sent a replacement. i must admit i havent tried the new endurance blades from olfa yet ive been watching for them to go on sale and just havent gotten around to it yet. i tried the harbor freight blades and wasnt impressed either. im not patient enough to do the sharpening thing.
buts thats my take on blades lol.
carla m