What benefits does tungsten carbide provide and what draw backs are there?
Tungsten carbide is the hardest metal there is and it has a smooth surface compared to other metals. Both characteristics help provide a longer life of the blade.
On the other hand Tungsten is relatively brittle when compared to stainless steel and it is therefore relatively vulnerable to breakage when strong forces are applied.
Lower down times: Tungsten carbide blades are somewhat more expensive than steel blades, but in several applications the reduced change over times make it a worthwhile investment.