On the cheaper side, Lansky makes a good jig and set of stones that's good for setting angles, and getting razor edges if you already have the angle set. [1] Worksharp makes a similar kit that's more stationary, with several versions at different costs [2]

For a little more, and a little more freehand style, you can try Spyderco's Sharpmaker [3]. My dad has one of these, and growing up he would sharpen kitchen and pocket knives to a razor edge very quickly with it.

I personally freehand sharpen my knives using Shapton stones [4]. I have the Kurumaku at 320, 1000, 2000, 5000, and 8000 grits, although the higher grits don't get used often; usually the 1000 grit alone is enough for getting a razor edge fairly quickly. I got mine from Amazon, but you can find them various places for $30-50 each.

[1] https://www.lansky.com/deluxe-5-stone-system.html [2] https://www.worksharptools.com/products/precision-adjust-kni... [3] https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=77 [4] https://shapton.co.jp/en/#products

If you're just doing normal stuff in the kitchen, the cheapest 400-grit diamond stone/plate bigger than a few inches you can find on Amazon is good enough.

Once you can get a knife sharp with that it'll only take seconds to get it ready for normal use. The next step would probably be some kind of a strop/compound for removing the bur and polishing the edge. Doing so will improve edge retention substantially.

After that, it's like anything; you can get as far as you'd like into the hobby; but you'll already be able to slice off translucent tomato windows without squishing anything, so it starts mattering less for normal use, especially with the battering a knife can take in the kitchen.

Depends on level of commitment and results you need.

To do it once and for all buy belt sharpener - Work Sharp with Blade Grinder Attachment being probably the best price vs quality vs functionality.

For quality sharpening that requires a bit of time buy rolling knife sharpener.

For quality sharpening which is fast and anyone can do buy electrical ChefMate with two slots and follow the instructions.

PS Do not bother with anything that requires clamping the knife, etc. You’ll use it once - it’s just too much hustle to setup and adjust these systems. You spend most of the time unpacking, bolting it together and then readjusting the knife instead of sharpening.

This is why rolling sharpeners work really well - fast magnetic attachment, angles are pre-set.

This: https://www.amazon.com/Razor-Sharp-Edgemaking-System-Kit/dp/...

Unfortunately nothing fancy, I have been doing it manually on a large (10") two-sided sharpening stone. More gear-oriented friends swear by products such as e.g. what's available here https://wickededgeusa.com/

The bottom of a ceramic mug works wonders.

Honestly — if you live in a big enough city where that's an option?

Have a big enough collection of knives that you can take two out at a time, and bring them to a local, reputable sharpener (most shops that sell fancy/expensive/actual chef's knives will do this.).

If you want to get into sharpening as a hobby, then getting a couple of whetstones is probably the easiest recommendation; but I just never got good enough at it and the process never got fun.

I get the feeling that it becomes another aspect of a hobby for some; but I already make espresso at home, I have enough fiddly and frustrating kitchen hobbies.