Yeah @jamies45, I was exactly the same way. Thought I was being smart with my money until I actually tried a decent blade. Now I can't go back either, the difference is night and day.

Five months seems like a lot to ask of dried leaves.

I had the opposite experience actually - used the same method on a pottery sherd with a matte finish and got a printable model in about 4 hours. The flint's shininess is probably what killed your scan, that stuff reflects light like crazy.

Exactly. People obsess over tiny things while ignoring the big financial picture.

Proper wash and dry with low heat is key to keeping down fluffy for years.