I've been using this French press every morning for 9.5 months now and it looks like new. It has exceeded my expectations. It is very well built, sturdy, very nice looking, and keeps my coffee warm until I am done. (Admittedly, it doesn't take me long to get through this amount of coffee.) I had been thinking of getting a traditional glass French press, but was worried about my clumsy self breaking it. Every month or so, I might need to tighten the screw connection, but that has been all! It cleans up easily.Although I wouldn't be classified as a coffee connoisseur, I know what I like. I like a rather strong, full bodied coffee with nuanced flavors shining through. I love the coffee I make with this press. I don't think I ever made a bitter cup with this press.I have the 23oz, polished stainless steel version. The water boiler I have boils 500mL, which is a perfect amount for the 23oz press. When full of grounds and the 500mL of water, there is still enough room between the liquid level and the bottom of the pouring spout. I can press the plunger to the top of the liquid so that when I move it around while brewing, liquid doesn't slosh out of the press. With this amount of liquid, I've never had a problem with coffee splashing out the spout while pressing the plunger down.I was skeptical about French presses. I'm not a big fan of scooping out wet coffee grounds, but I have gotten used to it. This is now my only coffee making gadget. I gave away my Keurig and I'm forever done with my old machines needing filters. The bar was high for me to be happy with this press, given it's high price. It was worth every penny.