I don't regret buying them and I still use'em from time to time. The slowness of their cutting helped me develop proper technique. At times when I get frustrated with a lack of progress in taking that final step with the Norton, I give these babies a quick soak (3min or so as directed) and do a pyramid or two, finishing off with a 1-5 1-5 1-8 on the Noton. That almost always does the trick. Don't ask me why, it just works.