I've been tormekking my run of the mill knives for years....it's fine. However, I recently purchased the expensive Japanese "global" knives and they are scarily sharp out the box which is in itself a rare mark of quality. The steel is without question more durable and holds an edge for about five times as long as a regular knife assuming no chronic abuse.
I tormek these new guys about once a month maybe six weeks and they're quite stunning. One thing I notice is that a steel won't give them the edge I like, only the tormek manages that whereas a steel can bring back my cheaper knives if I can't be bothered to set the Tormek up just for one dulled knife. So for ease and simple the cheapys work but your cost will be time spent sharpening. The better ones last longer between sharpens but you pay handsomely for that privelidge (in my case £200 for five knives)
Like all things in life, quality comes at a price.....it's all about choice
I tormek these new guys about once a month maybe six weeks and they're quite stunning. One thing I notice is that a steel won't give them the edge I like, only the tormek manages that whereas a steel can bring back my cheaper knives if I can't be bothered to set the Tormek up just for one dulled knife. So for ease and simple the cheapys work but your cost will be time spent sharpening. The better ones last longer between sharpens but you pay handsomely for that privelidge (in my case £200 for five knives)
Like all things in life, quality comes at a price.....it's all about choice