A chef friend recommended this specific model to me in order to keep my Gustav Emil Ern knives in tip-top condition. He also stressed that I should use it on all my other knives and boy was he ever right! In fact it's done such a good job on my cheap and nasty knives that the Gustav's remain wrapped in their canvas wallet. OK, it can't handle the knives my wife went gardening with, but everything else has come up a treat. Keep it handy and use it before, during and after every use. Six swipes is all it takes, and it will transform your knives. Remember, cheap knives can be just as sharp as expensive ones, they just need sharpening more often, and this little gem is the ideal tool for it. What more can I say?