That can be deceptive.
Most blades are made with Boron steel
This is a work hardening steel that gets tougher and a bit harder with use
So you can easily file them when new but they get harder to file the older they get.
As for using a Gator type blade, if your blades are wearing the flutes down rapidly, you should not even think of this type of blade.
This is because the small sections will break free and make the blade very unbalanced.