I've used an Apex Pro system for a couple years and it has some definite drawbacks compared to The Wicked Edge. Here are the advantages I can see with the Wicked Edge System: 1. It lets you sharpen BOTH sides of the knife at the same time. 2. It sets the sharpening angle precisely on both edges - meaning you can set one side differently than the other, if the knife edge demands it. 3. It locks the knife in place, so it cannot move, eliminating another variable, freeing up both hands to sharpen. 4. It does not risk scratching the sides of your knives from loose grit from the stones, unlike my Apex Pro Sharpener. 5. Its far less complicated than other systems - giving it great appeal to a wide variety of users. 6. lets you easily put many bevels on the same knife.