:) could have told you that... and it's not sand, it's the coir itself. it's about as dulling on blades as cardboard- and if you ever want to waste money, cut laminated cardboard on a bandsaw.

I take the other approach- I stab it repeatedly with an ice pick, screwdriver, what ever I have, let it soak, then come back 15 minutes later, and repeat the stabbing :)