Hi Mark, welcome to the Village. I'm Marg from Australia. Pull up a seat and make yourself at home. Do yourself a favor and take dgman's advice and get your blades from mikesworkshop. Can't really help you with spiral blades because I don't use them in fact I hate them. Has for your EX, try taking the tension right off, insert your blade and put the tension back on slowly, a bit at a time until you get it just right. Maybe that will work. I must ask, Why did you choose Germany? Most Brits choose Spain, Canada, Australia ( like we did ). Do you speak German? Sorry just wondering thats all. I am a very inquisitive person, some say just plain nosey.
Marg