lasted 6 years.  The first year I used it backward while hurrying out the door and it got a 2 inch split.  I glued it together and it worked another 5 years,  I should have done another glue repair but hesitated.  The split grew until the wood split into two pieces.  The fault is mine.  An excellent shoe horn but I give it 4 stars because the price was high.  If they lowered the price I would buy it again.  I'm going to try a less expensive brand that uses bull oak.  I'll do a follow up later in 2018.  I still think it would have lasted longer if I did not foolishly use it incorrectly.  fyi, used it twice everyday for six years.