I haven't had a new whetstone for a long time. It was fun soaking it and watching all the bubbles. I grabbed every knife in the house, sat on the couch with a beer and a bowl of water, and got to work. I spent hours sharpening my knife blades and bringing them back to razor sharpness. I forgot how wonderfully soothing it is to sharpen blades. I played around with the manual a bit, but found it more cumbersome than helpful (to ME). I can see this can be a useful tool for someone just learning how to sharpen their knives, but I would recommend some regular position checks if someone decides to use it. The case is convenient and provides excellent airflow for drying the stone and storing the entire set. I am actually considering buying other stones from this seller as well as a couple of their knives. I am very satisfied with this product!