Quoting Joe West :

Joe said:

> GGs
> I bought a knife sharpener.
>
> http://www.worksharptools.com/guided-field-
sharpener-221.html">http://www.worksharptools.com/guided-field-
sharpener-221.html
>
> It works well.  But, I can't get my knifes sharp enough to shave
hair
> off my arm.  I wonder if there is something wrong with my
technique. 
> How do others sharpen their knives?

In the kitchen I use a 2-sided synthetic stone from the hardware store 
a number of years ago.  I suspect oil was intended but I usually use a 
bit of dish soap with a bit of water.  It is possible to go nuts with 
scary sharp and fine sandpaper, but in the kitchen I see it as more 
like turning tools; get them sharp enough quickly and keep on chopping. 
  The test is not forearm hair (I have wimpy delicate hair that ducks 
instead of cutting) but what it feels like going through the meat or 
the carrot.  When you have cut either with a sharp knife you will know 
when it's sharp again.

Esther
(you are using good carbon steel blades?  Don't waste you time with the 
shiny non-rusting "never needs sharpening" stuff...)