I agree with Knifenut1013.
My own take on the matter though, is that even if you manage to get a scary-sharp edge with the WE (which of course your will),
you'll never know anything about sharpening, i.e. what you could have done better and what you're doing wrong.
Learning on a stone is really the first thing one should do, in order to be able to appreciate and get the most out of whatever system you buy.
I've recently bought the EP Apex, and, while I'm very happy with it, I must say, that I really wouldn't have enjoyed it as much, had I not already been very proficient at freehand sharpening.
I know that the WE clamps the blade in a vise, so you basically have to be a fool to get it wrong; but, you're just buying you're way out at a VERY high cost.
I bought the almost as expensive EP Apex because I was tired of setting bevels by hand on a stone and I needed I portable system (I often sharpen for others).
The EP is basically freehand sharpening though, because you need to control the blade angle at all times by hand, but you have a guide -- which you can have on a stone as well.
The WE removes this requirement, but you can't get as many accessories to it right now and you'll learn absolutely nothing about sharpening.
It's a great system, but I'd only recommend systems like the EP, WE or Tormek to people who have already walked the path of freehand-sharpening for a while;
because, quite frankly, you won't know anything or learn much and therefore won't be able to appreciate the true value of these systems,
since there are many other systems which will produce a similar edge at a fraction of the cost.
These systems will be able to create a more uniform edge than what you will ever be able to do via freehand.
They are imo for people who understand what they can truly get out of them and not for the beginner,
because a beginner is basically just getting a Ferrari before learning how to drive really well with one, which in my book just makes you look like an idiot.
Start with some stones and do the reading. It won't take much to become proficient at it, unless you've got physical issues.
Learn how to use and handle a knife properly and what makes the edge stay sharp and you'll be more rewarded than any system will ever make you feel.
IMO, one should not be around scary-sharp edges before having gone through the learning curve which will get you such an edge. Such knives require that effort in time, for safety reasons.
If you learn how to sharpen a knife to that level on your own, you'll have had the time to experience different edges and because of this, you'll have had the chance to learn from your mistakes.
A sharp 120-400 grit knife will cut you badly, but a 12K+ polished edge with barely any amount of force can utterly destroy whatever is in it's path.
The bottom line is that a super-scary-sharp edge is only safer to an experienced user and most likely more dangerous to the inexperience one,
because the experienced user has learnt how to control that power by paying their dues and set user will probably have learnt how to use that edge with finesse, instead of force.
Owning a real Katana won't make you a Samurai, and, you won't be able to understand or make use of it's full potential unless you've gone through all the stages.
Most of the people skidding off the road with expensive, high-end sports cars aren't race-car drivers, which should tell you something. There are no shortcuts to getting the most out of things.
