I did know this fixed angle system is for smaller knives; however it is somewhat limited even within its range. The tooth/ grip bump at the end of the jaws creates a bit of wiggle room. Not woggle as in a loose grip, but you have to be sure blade is centered to its midline or you may get uneven grinds to each side. Somewahat related, i find it more exact matching on the second time a blade sees the stones if I use a landmark on the blade to grip it in the exact position it was in the previous time it was ground. Its just cheap plastic and i didnt expect much more than i got. The jaw length is a bit short for its thickness and on the lower angles i often grind the jaws rather than blade edge. Design flaw, but now ground thin enough for most of my knives. Shorter (spine to apex) blade widths sometimes still have this issue and I just have to go with a steeper angle even though those blades are supposed to have a low razor style angle. I mostly just freehand them all now, as i do not have issues doing so from years of woodcarving and honing. The stones- now thats what I was paying for. It was 10-20$ cheaper plus a fixed angle guide since i was wanting most grits at one time. I should have got them individually (and now found them cheaper locally anyway). I have the same issue with the green stone that others have mentioned. Right from the start, it had very little bite, tan extra extra fine felt mich more toothy. Although even the tan quickly smoothed out too. I have used plenty of diamond stones and learned my lessons on pressure and lubrication decades ago. Inam not ising pressure, and like i said, some stones where like that from the get go. It feels like the plastic backing is raised beyond the stones surface through the holes on some, especially green. However, on others, i do see that the metal is getting bare rather quickly, so it must be making contact, just not removing material from the desired side of the interaction. I am hoping that this is limited to the small stones in the kit, as i liked DMT for being the cheaper of the better brands and may give one or two of the larger stones (not this size) another chance. Otherwise i will go to using an aggregate (powders, not sandpaper) on paper, over glass backing in the fashion of a loaded strop. I may have a lot of things to sharpen but I do not do it for a job and Im not spending hundreds just to maintain edges. The kit may provide overall value to a pocket knife sharpener (if blades are beyond .8" from edge to spine, and are 2.5-5" long, or just get grinds above 18-20 degrees). For me, it paid for it self and some of the stones lasted. I believe the xx fine was an add on, but made for the system. However, i seem to do better freehand and when i need exactness, i have no issue making my own jigs that suit my needs better. For me, it was worth knowing first hand. For others, its probably ok, but check your green and red stones and return them early on if you get one from the odd batches and you should have a decent kit.
