I think all the methods of sharpening have some merit in differing circumstances.Tormek for example make great machines for sharpening almost anything, hollow ground edge etc etc. if you can afford the high price tag. A steel is clean way for quickly putting an edge on a knife for cutting the Sunday roast but cannot be considered very portable. Oilstones and leather strops will undoubtably produce an edge capable of shaving the hair from the back of your hand with ease. Newer diamond stones are also great just need a little water for lubrication and can be easily cleaned with a plastic eraser after use.

Many years ago when we were apprentices we were taught how to sharpen all sorts of items, drill bits, cutting tools etc. Grinding angles and required 'clearance' (space available for the cut material to go whilst it is being removed from the work piece) for cutting all different types of material. Different materials require different angles of attack.

Knife sharpening is no different there would be little point in spending time putting a real fine edge on say an axe when after two swipes at some hard wood knocks the edge right off making the tool worse than it was had we not touched it, and we need not use a cleaving type angle on a filleting knife used for skinning fish. Give some thought to what you want to achieve and set up your stone or blade so it cannot move. Practice dry runs of how you will need to change your arm movement to maintain your angle as the shape of the blade changes. Manipulate the blade slowly paying particular attention to getting the correct angle and using slow strokes in one direction prepare the edge. Use the same amount of strokes on each side of a blade to retain symmetry and slowly but surely you will get there. If you find maintaining the angle is to difficult then a simple jig is the key. With practice we are all capable of mastering this supposed black art.

Good luck Steve