If you guys are having trouble learning to hone freehand, start with a single washita stone and a bare leather strop. Let the stone break in from use. I know you guys have a ton of washita stones (real washita, not "turkey stones" or other soft arkansas stones), because I see them for sale over there, and holzapffel says they took over there.
I can't think of anything other than carving tools where I'm wanting anything more than that edge. That includes smoothing planes and moulding planes, and for practical purposes, paring chisels, too.
Freehand sharpening is easier with one stone than it is with two or three....and stropping is better with bare leather than it is with compound loaded leather.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa0pBnph9q8
I can't think of anything other than carving tools where I'm wanting anything more than that edge. That includes smoothing planes and moulding planes, and for practical purposes, paring chisels, too.
Freehand sharpening is easier with one stone than it is with two or three....and stropping is better with bare leather than it is with compound loaded leather.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa0pBnph9q8