If you don't mind the variation of freehand sharpening buy a few low priced blades or practice with a well worn user that you have. Now just keep practicing and focusing on how you hold the blade against the stone. Your edge will not be as "neat" as the factory edge but still sharp.
I was always able to get a sharp edge freehand but I like the neatness of the edge when maintained by a Tri-angle Sharpmaker from Spyderco. This gives most users a very consistent and razor sharp edge. With the Sharpmaker's ceramic rods it is best to sharpen regualry. If a knife gets really dull the ceramic rods with take a long time to have an effect.

Some use a black tipped marker to black out the actual edge so when freehand sharpening they can see where they are contacting the stones.
Bill