For a beginner, I generally recommend a Norton Coarse/Fine India stone. One side is orange (fine) and the other is gray/brown (coarse). Get at least the 6" by 2" model, though the width isn't as critical for knives. I prefer at least the 8" long model. This stone will give edges that will catch the hair on the back of your head without touching the skin, and with practice you can whittle a beard hair held between your fingers. Sharpen 10 - 20 strokes per side, then change sides until you feel a burr on the opposite side you just sharpened, i.e. if you just sharpened the left side, the burr will be on the right. Make sure you can feel a burr on each side, to make sure both sides are even. Then move to the fine stone, raise the angle so just the very edge hits the stone, and make alternating strokes with light pressure until the burr is gone, typically 5-10 strokes per side. You can use honing oil if you want, but I always used mine dry and ran it through the dishwasher every so often. You can also clean it with Comet or dishsoap and a toothbrush. If you can do trigonometry, raise one end off the table to give the desired angle, then sharpen holding the knife blade parallel to the table (flat). If you can't do trig, raise the 8" stone 3 inches off the table for a 20 degree edge, then raise it another 1/2" for removing the burr. For a 6" stone, start with 2" then move to 2.5". The exact angle isnt that critical, but this helps keep the angle consistent.
Oh yea, the 8" models are about $25 at Grainger or most woodworking stores. I have a Sharpmaker, but if your edge doesnt match the 30 or 40 degree slots, its really frustrating, and you'll eventually need a coarse stone anyway.
