I made a sharpening aid that helps me a lot, as a beginner. It helps me keep the angle of the knife the same as I sharpen, and switch to different grits.
I will try to post a picture of it, but in case It doesn't come out ( I am new to this...) I will describe it to you. I snatched a bubble level from a carpenters
t- level, and attached it to a piece of wood that I sawed to a 18 degree angle. I used a protractor to do that. Then I glued a flexable magnet to it. So then
I put it on the knife while I am sharpening, and the level tells me if I am keeping the angle correct, and even. Because of that, I am able to get a
unbelievable sharp edge.
ps, this incredilbly insiped website won't let me show you a picture from "my documents" like everybody else in the world, ( who knows how to get an "URL")
so I will give you my email, and if you are interested, I will email you a photo. tomdorfman@gmail.com