From my personal experience......I got the book The Razor's Edge Guide to Sharpening. The author is (sp) John Juranich.
Following the directions....I have NEVER failed to put a razor edge on anything.

The author holds the world record for sharpening and shaving with an AX !!!!

At knife shows, he would have his daughters (then about 8) take a knife from the crowd, sharpen it and shave their dad.

All you need to do it......a very coarse stone and a very fine stone. NO oil. NO water. ( It is explained why not in the book.)