I'm a little past being a novice(not much) woodworker but still learning. This is my first set of dado blades and the first time I used them it went smooth as it could have. I cut tenons for a mortise joint using oak from a house built in the 1800's. Needless to say the oak splinters very easy. No tear out what so ever. Smoothest cut I could have imagined. The only other cuts I've seen that smooth were from a forest ll blade.  The blades were easy to figure out. They store on a cheesy plastic holder but as for the blades I can't imagine any better. Highly recommend.