I used to use stones, but moved to the lansky system a couple of years ago and won't ever go back to sharpening freehand. I use the standard lansky kit, with the additional yellow extra-fine hone.
I own the Lansky system, but can't get an edge on some knives with it. I do well when I'm sharpening my Kershaws, but I haven't had good luck with any of my CRKT's or Benchmade.
I guess I am old school but I still have my best luck with a two sided 8in bear sharping stone I have used for over thirty years. My son gave me the Lansky system for Christmas but I can not seem to get use to it.
I switched over to CCKS - 2-Step Knife Sharpener | Smith's - The Edge Experts a few years ago, they work surprisingly well once you initially cut the new angle on the edge & they are small & portable enough that they easily fit in your pocket or on your key chain.
I have diamond stones from 400 grit up to 2000 grit and they work well. I also have an antique chef's steel that I use quite a bit to put the final polish on a blade. I am by no means an expert, but I keep all of my knives is good condition with very nice edges without a lot of work.
Just be willing to try a few things and use what works best for you.
Getting a great edge on a knife in my opinion is such an art that I always send mine off to someone more able than me to get it razor sharp ie. Tom Krein
i dont know much about them but i have a few.my grandpa died and left me his,i used to sharpen all his knives.good memories for me.one that sticks out in my mind is furnace abrasives.i say that because its the only one i ever seen.i use it all the time
I just purchased a Chef's Choice Pronto. It's a manual sharpener with two diamond hone slots.
It can put a real nice edge on most of my folders, but the slots are narrow and most hunting/fighting fixed blades won't fit. (I guess it really is for chefs)
I got the Lansky about 2 weeks ago. Gives me much more consistent angle than I could ever get free-hand. I've sharpened and re-edged some knives that I thought I would end up pitching.
I still have and use the old whet rock my Dad gave me when I was a kid, so about 40 years old. It was in a cedar box, made by Kabar, with their name stamped the lid.
I use stones, and a strop; that's how my dad taught me 30years ago once you get the hang of it, just throw your stone in the pack and forget the fancy stuff.