I have one, too. I haven't bought new blades since I got it about 8 months ago. Not hard to use. Just follow the directions about oiling the stones.

I had it and didn't care for it. Maybe I didn't use it right.

Got mine 50% off through Joann.com with a coupon.

Industry that uses mats use the hard surface mats. The blades are big and too expensive to replace so the hard surface mats keep the blade sharper longer. Self healing mats the blade cuts into the mat. Hard surface the blade glides on top of the mat surface. The hard surface mat is one solid mat and won't warp. The self healing mat is layered and easy to warp.