i have had one for about 7 years...i have used it about 3 times...it is DANGEROUS and SCARY and i would rather just go buy new blades than mess with it...i hate handling blades and with that thing you have to really handle them alot i do not like it. i don't know if newer ones are less scary or not, i just go buy blades when i need them and i ask for them at christmas, my hubby always gets about 6 for my stocking :thumbup: