I run 184” x 1 ½ x .055 bands. I have tried a few different brands, the ones with softer metal last longer but need sharpened more often and tend to loose there set easier, to hard of a band and you get into cracking issues. I am happy with the woodmizer bands, as they are not too soft or too hard and have both good run time and can be sharpened several times before the band wears out. (I get 10-12 sharpenings on a set) I run a 42 hp diesel so I can handle a more aggressive hook angle with out any problem. I prefer the 13* hook angle for most softwoods and some hardwoods if they are still green. I drop back to a 10* hook angle for Doug-fir and most hardwoods.
I have sent bands out to be sharpened with far less then desirable results. I now sharpen all my own saws and find that the extra attention to detail when sharpening pays off big time when sawing. As well as in the pocket, book.
There is an outfit up in north Idaho that sells a variation of the Timberwolf bands, and dose a good job of sharpening them as well, they are a bit softer metal then what I like but do hold up well over all. If you are interested PM me and I will send you there contact info. A softer band will hold up better to metal fatigue in colder weather, however the winter weather is on it’s way out.