You are smart to start with lesser blades. You won't feel so bad when you grind a little deeper than you wanted. You will not re profile, or cut back too deeply, if you keep the blade up (greater angle). I know, overly simplistic explanation. Rule of thumb, feel the cut on the stone. Check your angle, and make another pass. If you are new to free hand sharpening, begin with an Arkansas soft stone. An Arkansas soft is a finishing stone. Therefore, it doesn't cut as deeply as other stones. Use plenty on honing oil, and feel for the cut into the stone. You will get to where you are only watching so that you don't remove valuable digits. You will feel and hear the steel cutting. That feel and sound will let you know how deep you are cutting.
If your blade is very dull(referencing your practice blades), an Arkansas soft will take forever to cut a base edge on your practice knives, but it will allow you learn how to hold and determine the proper angle.
Good luck. Free hand sharpening is a lot of fun.
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