realchef -

I'm still not a master on sharpening up my own knives with my stones.
I'll do my Macs and Shuns at home as I care less about them than others...

But for the Hattori and Shiefusa, I send my knives down to this guy in PA who is sharpens them like no tomorrow.

To the OP - Sorry for taking your thread off topic...

But if you want to start, go to a local rest. supply store and look at Paderno, Sitram .
But a 5-9 qt, whatever is you fancy, cast iron dutch oven is indespensiable.