The orbital does last longer than the sandpaper sharpener, at least for me. I wore the sandpaper sharpener out so quickly and couldn't find replacements anywhere, so bought the oribital. I've had it a couple of years and my DH has sharpened all of my blades, my friend's blades and blades that belong to some of the customers at the quilting shop where I hang out! My DH isn't one to rave about much but the orbital he says he'd do a commercial for it!