Knife sharpening was one of the greatest frustrations of my life! My dad, (the guy who drove screws with a hammer) couldn't buy an edge, but not for the lack of trying!
I'd sharpen, and the thing would get duller. Read about it, look at the pictures in the Boy Scout handbook, nothing helped! Angle, what was that??
Then I discovered crock sticks. I bought a set, and replaced the sticks after only 20 years or so.
Several years ago, my wife gave me a Chef's Choice sharpener for Christmas.
It didn't work too well, but better than the crockers for long and/or flexible kinves, and what did I know?
It was stalling, so I took it apart, and lubricated the innards, so now it works marvelously. I put an edge on all the Wee Hen's knives, then finish off with several light passes on the crock sticks. She likes them! Much better! I have an old, stainless steel knife I use for cutting plugs out of the sod when I have to do sprinkler system repairs. After my tinkering with the machine, It put an edge on that old clunker that I didn't believe.!!
But, for my hunting knives, it is still the hunter honer and crock sticks. Although, I am strongly considering a Lansky sharpening set for the good stuff.
ANYTHING but stones, PLEASE! I have deep respect for those who can get a good edge that way, but even blood sacrifice (mine) didn't help.