The idea is to rubb the stick,foam and sandpaper on the blade and let the foam propteries set the angle. The right foam is essential, to soft and thick will not sharpen too good ( not saying it can't be done, it is just more difficult) , If it's too hard you have to press harder and it will wear you hand out especially on the first sharpening. . He has got pictures and instructions, helped me a whole lot to understand the process. It took me a while to figuare out that I had foam that was too soft,then too hard ( I'm an engineer and had lots of different type of samples foam to try) I swapped foam( finally sacrificing my mouse pad) and my problems went away.... Stick to mouse pad as it seem to be the right durometer and thickness....I suggest you get a hold of the sharpening CD that is available from Dan Koster( he is on th forum), I think the new version is on his website for a buck or two and shipping.
