Sharpening ESEEs

[hiwa]

I wouldn't rely on angle estimation by just putting the knife on the stone unless you are truly gifted or a robot. I have to sharpen my knife facing the edge and draw it towards me. This way I can look into the bevel and i know if it is flush with the stone or slightly raised to trim the shoulders for a smoother transition of angles greatly increases cutting ability without sacrificing strength.

This is exactly what I've been doing for years. I always seem to get a better edge drawing towards me , than going edge away from me. Whatever works.
KNIFEABILITY has good advice on the benchstone thing. I like things basic. One knife sliding it's edge along a stone or abrasive. No rods,clamps,bars,jigs,safety devices....none of that stuff. It just takes practice , just like anything else. After many years of doing this, I'm free of contraptions. Just me ,knife, and stone. And I didn't wreck ANY knives in the learning process. Just figured out how to get them sharper :thumbup:

 

[L.J.Tibbs]

I never let my blades get too dull, so I usually touch them up with the lansky cross stick sharpener at 20 degrees, going from medium to fine ceramic rods.
In the chance that a blade needs quite a bit of sharpening I go with a stone.