Trying my hand at sharpening, tips?

[AirOpsMgr]

Try a stone with Diamond in it. You don't have to use oil and the diamond sharpens better.

Figured I start with baby steps and work myself up; Since I'm cheap and don't own any top-end blades, thought I should get a grasp of the basics before getting into y'all's pro level

 

[poppy926]

For stropping you could also use news print. If you have a full page ad it's the best for it. But any news print will work. I have tried it with a straight razor and it's almost as good as my strops.

 

[poppy926]

Also I use rem oil with my knife stones. Water stones for my razors.