I like mine, I've got one on my 7wt I've had since they came out and just put one on my 4wt this year. When I practice with it the noise is a little annoying, but on the water I'm thinking of so many other things I find I don't notice it that much. As far as rubbing raw spots, it does, but so do several other of my smooth lines, especially in the larger weights, so I just always wear a stripping glove and problem solved. But the thing that sold me was how it handles on the water, mends like a dream! Too expensive to put on all my rods, but worth it on the ones I use the most.