I know it seemed like a good idea to post in this forum but you'll get more responses on this topic in the general.
Most makers use their grinder with a very fine grit belt and then strop it the rest of the way, or use a buffer. Its the fastest way to go if your set up properly and with practice it will give you a very very sharp edge that looks good in terms of how even the bevels are and stuff like that. Using other methods isn't very practical when time is money and your trying to set an edge on a knife that has just been ground (the edge is still thick enough that you need to set the bevels on the cutting edge, which takes long time with stones, kind of like changing the angles on a benchmade)But thats not the best method for maintaining a knife or occasional sharpening. Its not very cost effective if you have to buy a grinder either
For what its worth, I really like the results I get with bench stones, preferably arkansas and ceramic stones. Free hand sharpening takes some time to learn and you won't get the greatest results on your first try ( at least I didn't, but I learned how to do it when I was 8 so anyone should be able to figure it out) After you've learned though its faster than most other methods because you can work on the whole length of the edge at the same time, there are no clamps to mess with, and there are more choices on stones.
You can check out some different types of stones at
www.woodcraft.com I wouild recommend starting with a soft arkansas a hard arkansas, and then adding either a fine or ultra fine ceramic stone, or a black surgical arkansas stone once you got the hang of it. You'll also need honing oil. which is cheap and keeps the stones from getting glazed over.
I would either try a search or posting your question over in the general forum where you'll get lots of responses. Adn lots of people saying I'm dumb for going free hand and telling you to buy a sharpmaker.
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It'll feel better when it stops hurting.
