Reply by LukieB

I start with a piece of 120 adhesive backed sandpaper (porter cable makes some, available at amazon) on a scrap of granite (from a local countertop company and free). Flatten until the shininess is even, and then move on to the waterstones. I also use the granite and sandpaper to flatten the stones. And I’m very happy with the results (huge bald spot on my arm, from testing plane irons)

-- Lucas, "Someday woodworks will be my real job, until then, there's this http://www.melbrownfarmsupply.com"