If you want to go to the trouble Art does then he has some good info. Or you can get a system like the Sharpmaker or the 3-in-1 and get a really sharp knife really quickly. I don't have the time or interest in sharpening old school style, I just want a sharp knife with as little time and effort as possible. I don't know enough to know what's wrong with the systems, all I know is that can put a razor sharp edge on a knife, carbon or stainless.