Does anyone freehand sharpen anymore?

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Never needed more than this.
 
I hate the idea that I might be in the middle of nowhere without a "system" and unable to sharpen my knife. I use bench stones starting with man made and ending with arky soft and hard black. It works great for me and I sharpen for others as well. Plus I know that I can get at least a crude working edge in the field with almost any decent hard surface if needed.
 
On the rare occation that I need to use a stone, I freehand it.
Normally, just stropping on an old leather belt, or a couple passes on a fine ceramic rod keeps them "shaving sharp".
 
Freehand sharpening is the way to go IMO. I've tried the guided system, but I guess they are not for me. I have always been obsessed with how sharp I can get my edges by hand for over 30 years now. I can get a blade just as sharp by freehand compared to one that's done on a guided system.
 
I almost always sharpen freehand, I still use a pocket sized Arkansas stone for touch ups at work. Don't carry too many knives with super steels, so the old Arkansas stones still work great.
For very dull knives or for changing the angle on a new blade, I prefer to free hand on a Norton India stone or a Sic stone.
 
Not all systems are created equal, I tried many systems over the years with mixed results. Then came the sharp maker, and I was sold on that system. I can and do freehand, but if given the choice I would prefer the sharp maker. I am now seriously considering the wicked edge system. This is coming from one who makes knives.

With that said I will set the primary edge bevel on a 240 or 400 grit on my Esteem 2X72 free hand. If I had to I could set that bevel with the sharp-maker, or my easy lap diamond, but the on the belt it only takes minutes.
 
I freehand, and have since I was a Boyscout 30 years ago. Still use my lansky turnbox for a quick touch up or a quick more refined edge.
 
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