Sharpening suggestions for a complete rookie.

[Gareth]

That looks really good Andrea.  Shame about the scratch, but it's no big deal on a working knife IMO.

[Freaver]

First off, I know this is an old thread, but it seems to be the most comprehensive here, on sharpening...
For some time, I've been interested in learning freehand sharpening on stones, and I saw that Benner had purchased a Fallkniven DC4 whetstone. Do you think this would be a good "starter-stone" for a guy that's never done freehand sharpening or is there a better alterntive?

It is only gonna be used for small-ish blades - my longest blade is 8 cm long at most of them is below 6 cm. Since I've never tried using stones before, I'd prefer if it's as cheap as possible, without being useless and disintegrating the first time I use it. I can always go for something better, once I've gotten the hang of it.

[JAfromMn]

I got by with just one of these for years.

Lansky dog bone

http://www.amazon.com/Lansky-LTRIM-Multi-Sharpener/dp/B000B8FW04/ref=pd_sim_sg_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1SGFE9BKBB1PNR93S8HD

it will sharpen just about everything plane,serrated, hooks and darts ect

less than 10 bucks shipped

[jerseydevil]

I got by with just one of these for years.

Lansky dog bone

http://www.amazon.com/Lansky-LTRIM-Multi-Sharpener/dp/B000B8FW04/ref=pd_sim_sg_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1SGFE9BKBB1PNR93S8HD

it will sharpen just about everything plane,serrated, hooks and darts ect

less than 10 bucks shipped

I keep one of those in my pocket while I'm at work.  Works very well. 

[Freaver]

I got by with just one of these for years.

Lansky dog bone

http://www.amazon.com/Lansky-LTRIM-Multi-Sharpener/dp/B000B8FW04/ref=pd_sim_sg_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1SGFE9BKBB1PNR93S8HD

it will sharpen just about everything plane,serrated, hooks and darts ect

less than 10 bucks shipped

I always figured that this type of sharpener required you to be fairly good at sharpening freehand on a stone, to begin with. I can see it's basically the same movement, but it looks somewhat more difficult to keep a consistent angle on this, than on a stone...

[microbe]

The sharpening systems can't be beat for consistency for re profiling an edge, unless by some freehand artists with years of experience. (see how handmade samurai swords have the edge put on and how they are polished) But everyone can touch up an edge freehand on a stone with a little practice. It's the way it has always been done.
Sometime last year I visited an old castle ruin. One of the ornaments in the garden was a solid stone bowl. When I was looking at it I noticed one side was very smooth, and I realized it must have been used as a sharpening stone for centuries.
I whipped out my knife, and gave it a few strokes. Worked like a charm.

[Gareth]

First off, I know this is an old thread, but it seems to be the most comprehensive here, on sharpening...
For some time, I've been interested in learning freehand sharpening on stones, and I saw that Benner had purchased a Fallkniven DC4 whetstone. Do you think this would be a good "starter-stone" for a guy that's never done freehand sharpening or is there a better alterntive?

It is only gonna be used for small-ish blades - my longest blade is 8 cm long at most of them is below 6 cm. Since I've never tried using stones before, I'd prefer if it's as cheap as possible, without being useless and disintegrating the first time I use it. I can always go for something better, once I've gotten the hang of it.

The DC4 is a very good 'stone', but IMO it's too small to learn on.  A good choice I'd say is something like a India IB-8 combination stone, I've used this style of stone for years and combining it with a home made strop I've always managed to keep my knives in good order. 

For example: http://www.axminster.co.uk/india-ib8-combination-bench-stone

[JAfromMn]

I got by with just one of these for years.

Lansky dog bone

http://www.amazon.com/Lansky-LTRIM-Multi-Sharpener/dp/B000B8FW04/ref=pd_sim_sg_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1SGFE9BKBB1PNR93S8HD

it will sharpen just about everything plane,serrated, hooks and darts ect

less than 10 bucks shipped

I always figured that this type of sharpener required you to be fairly good at sharpening freehand on a stone, to begin with. I can see it's basically the same movement, but it looks somewhat more difficult to keep a consistent angle on this,
 on a stone...

it might take a few try for the novice to get good with it but I think its easy enough to use.

[av8r1]

I've had pretty good results with a Smith's 4" stone from Lowe's.  If you're worried about damaging your knives, just go get one of those $.99 Wal Mart knives to practice on.  I might just get one of those knives specifically for sharpening, I find free hand sharpening has an almost meditative quality.