I don't think I could go back to a machine without the knee life. It's something you need to use to get comfortable with and once you do, you may really like it. With the scissor button and knee lift, there are no snippets or waste of thread. Your hands do not even have to come close to the needle when sewing if using these features. But everyone has their own way of doing things and that's OK. We are all unique! Keep sewing.