So I'm pretty incompetent when it comes to sharpening knives. If I don't have my Sharpmaker, I'm not going to get any sort of decent edge on a knife. And I don't really feel comfortable being totally dependent on such devices, so I think I need to get a stone and practice keeping a consistent angle on my own.

I don't feel like messing up my RSKs or even the blades on my Leathermans, so I'm thinking that getting something inexpensive, say a Winchester from Walmart might be a good thing to practice with.

And it seems to me that the only way to get comfortable with it is to practice, practice, practice.

Other ideas or suggestions?