I've toyed with the idea of buying a Warthog knife sharpener for several years. I think i may be at the tipping point but I need the OB the tell me that it really does work as promoted...a failsafe way to sharpen a knife easily each and every time and it's easy to set up so it won't end up in the box in the attic like my Lansky or Smith or the other knife sharpeners.

Also I'm thinking the $30 to get the all metal construction is worth it over the ABS plastic versions. Is it?

I've had one for a long time. It's metal....don't believe they made any out of plastic at that time.

They are very handy, fast and extremely easy to use. I got mine out to check how fast. I just did six Cutco kitcken knives from paring to chef in less than two minutes.

The one thing I would add is the carrying case.....

have you considered the Work Sharp sharpener?

I got one for my birthday.
It is worth the money. Easy, fast, and effective sharpener.

Get a Warthog.

I've never been able to make a Lansky sharpen both sides evenly, and I get going too fast and ram the flat front of the stone into the blade. The Warthog is the easiest idiot-proof sharpener that works well. I can run all my kitchen knives through it in five minutes. Because it is so easy and requires no set up, I use it far more often than my Lansky and therefore get a lot more out of it. I got the all-metal version on the granite slab and have no regrets.

I had a warthog but sold it for a work sharp.

Kinda like your fishing reel process...