This is the first kitchen gadget I ever owned. When I first moved out to Colorado that Christmas when I returned to New York my parents gave me this as one of my gifts. I grew up using a clever just like this one, so I took to using it like a fish to water. I have since moved on to using a more traditional chef's knife, so when I'm feeling nostalgic, I break this puppy out. I'm not as fast as I used to be with it, but when I have a clean edge on it, my cuts are about 75% better than when I use my 12" Wustof Classic.