I've tried a dozen Carters (SFGS and HG). They are all excellent cutters. The HG's have more sticking issues and are thinner. The SFGZ cut just about as well but release better. They are thin like lasers but sturdier due to the grind. The tips are not that thin but I think the hardness (63 hrc?) might make them somewhat fragile. HOWEVER, I have embedded the tip on my 240 funayuki in my board and the tip did not break. They won't set edge retention records but they hold up well enough, in my opinion.