Reply by Loren

I use waterstones but I’ve had them for a long time. In
the last few years the diamond stones have improved
as finishing stones and come down in price.

Ceramic and oil stones are other options.

All the sharpening systems work. Some people are
struggle not to gouge water stones. Diamond,
ceramic and oil stones are all much harder and
difficult to damage. Water stones cut very fast
and of course the mess from using water as
a lubricant is not hard to clean up.