I currently hit MP-62's with are a player's CB, but I'm getting more and more into hitting blades.
I started to think about it the other day and thought of the top 5 ballstrikers that I grew up playing with and each one of them grew up playing blades, usually some old Hogan blades. I bought some MacGregor Tourney 985's and the difference is quite noticeable. It's almost like having one of those PSP training aids, but being able to play a round of golf with one of them. I have no problems getting them airborne, but if you mis-hit the iron, I'll lose 2 clubs worth of distance.
Anyway, I agree in not trying to hit down with the driver. I'd at the very least try to get the attack angle at about -1* as that's where the average PGA Tour attack angle is at with the driver. If you want a piece of advice, I would try to work on being able to hit a 10.5* titanium driver off the deck. I know I can do it with mine and do it with relative ease.