The picture attached can speak better than any words I can type. Wish I could let you feel and hear the difference. These edges barely make a whisper as they pushcut through paper. 5 to 6 passes with the glass backed plattens do more work than 30 stokes on the strops. I purchased each level from the 9 micron to the 0.1 micron. It's a must have thing if you want to be the best.
These guides give me much more versatility with my sharpener.
I have the Wicked Edge bench top sharpener, but will probably seldom use it after purchasing this sharpener. The Venture sharpener got my knives just as sharp and its actually easier to use and takes up less space. This thing is ingeniously simple and works awesome.
It has been frustrating trying to sharpen small blades. This works like a cham, the only thingI'd like to change, would be using only one size of Allen wrench vs two. This will keep me from needing to freehand small blades on my diamond stones. I recommend this.
Been using the 500 grit in the beginning then recently upgraded to the 800-1500/2200 stones.
Totally impressed with the stones and the Venture.
Also customer service is Superb.
Could have purchased in Canada but service here was unsatisfactory.