Reddit reviews Diamond Machine Technology (DMT) W6FP 6-Inch Diamond Whetstone Sharpener - Fine With Plastic Box (DMTW6FP)

Here are the basics, I will edit if I think of any more essential tools, but you can go an awfully long way with these.

Hand Tools:

• Hand saw- I prefer Japanese style pull saws, meaning they cut on the pull stroke. My go to utility saw is a Vaughn bear saw, which is a robust package, with several types of interchangeable blades. There are countless types of saws, for different uses, but a fine toothed Japanese saw will get you by for most things.
  
  
• Combination square- A sliding ruler square, perfect for marking and layout. you will also want a speed square eventually, so you might as well get one.
  
  
• Tape measure- Start with a basic 25' tape, and get more as needed.
  
  
• Basic chisel set- Most of the entry grade chisels are pretty much the same, this Irwin set is a pretty good buy. to start with a set of 1/4", 1/2", and 1" are all you really need, but you can never have enough chisels.
  
  
• Block plane- A low angle block plane will get you a long ways breaking corners and trimming pieces. Stanley makes a great, affordable, option. As time goes by you will need a jack plane, but a block plane will do for now.
  
  
• Sharpening equipment- A fine diamond stone like this will get you a long way keeping your chisels and plane sharp. You should do research into sharpening methods as you use your tools more, and build a system that fits you.
  
  
• Hammer- A cheap smooth face hammer. Build a wooden mallet as a starter project.
  
  
• Clamps- You always need more clamps. Big clamps. Small clamps. Weird clamps. I like bar clamps. Harbour Freight has good deals on fair clamps, but don't expect too much out of them. To start with get a couple with ~8" throat, and a couple with ~18" throat.
  
  Power Tools:
  
  
• Cordless drill- If you're willing to spend the money for a good, reliable, tool I recommend Makita, but a Ryobi or Rigid will serve you well if you're just working on small projects. Everyone has their favourite cordless tool brand, and, for the most part, it really is just preference. I highly recommend adding an impact driver and circular saw to whichever system you choose.
  
  
• Circular Saw- If you want to work with plywood or larger sticks, you will want a circular saw, which is the most basic power saw. Most of the major tool companies make fine starter saws, Skil is the original, and is quite cheap, but there are plenty of others, browse a store and see what takes your fancy.
  
  
• Jig saw- A jig saw is used for cutting curves, and you will eventually need it if you build enough things. I prefer Bosch but there are cheaper options. See what feels right to you.
  
  
• Miter saw- You don't need this right away, but if you start doing more projects you will want one. I recommend going right to a sliding compound miter saw, like this Dewalt. You will never need more miter saw than that, and if you get a small one you will eventually end up buying a the real deal.
  
  
• Table saw- Again, you don't need this right away, but eventually you will feel you need the precision and ease that a table saw brings. The Rigid portable table saw is a great saw if you're working in tight quarters and need to pack up, but you'll appreciate the appreciate the stability of a cast iron topped cabinet saw if you have the cash and space for it.
  
  Misc:
  
  
• Drill bits- Get a cheap twist drill set that goes from 1/16" to 1/2" and a basic spade bit set. Later you will want a set of forstners and hole saws.
  
  
• Utility knife
  
  
• Driver bits
  

+1 for that playlist; it's very good.

I would also recommend getting something to clean your stone off / work up a slurry. I use one of these diamond stones; it's a bit expensive, but helps a lot.

https://www.amazon.com/DMT-W6FP-Diamond-Whetstone-Sharpener/dp/B00004WFU7

I strongly recommend DMT's diamond bench stones. The 6-inch model is the most commonly seen but they have a range of others as well.

If you're starting off with just one, get the Fine grit model in the link above. It's the most versatile for general use.

I own both medium and fine grit stones and they're fantastic. I plan to invest in some of their larger stones at some point, which will be left mounted to my workbench.

Also, look into buying or making a strop. They can be used for regular edge maintenance, prolonging the time between sharpenings. A strop is also great for finishing your newly-sharpened edge.

I made a strop by tacking an old leather belt to a strip of wood, and impregnating it with red jeweler's rouge. I made it about 10 years ago and it still works great.

http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-09841-Diamond-Knife-Sharpener/dp/B0001WOTHC

http://www.amazon.com/DMT-FWFC-Double-Diafold-Sharpener/dp/B00004WFTW/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1319657109&sr=8-13

http://www.amazon.com/DMT-W6FP-Diamond-Whetstone-Sharpener/dp/B00004WFU7/ref=sr_1_21?ie=UTF8&qid=1319657124&sr=8-21

I haven't used any of those but I have something similar to the second link and it works pretty well.

This will keep your blades with a usable edge however you are going to want to start accumulating various stones course, medium, fine etc...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00004WFU7/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1498679947&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=dmt+diamond+sharpening+stone&dpPl=1&dpID=41Cx0jtcgHL&ref=plSrch

If you have some really dull edges that havent been sharpened in a long time, pretty much any coarse stone will do, harbor freight has some well priced diamond stones that work well. As far as maintaining edges go, you're gonna want something finer, the bottom of a cermic mug can work well with practice.


As far as stuff you can buy goes, here's some links

worksharp field sharpener: for if you just want to buy one simple tool that can do everything

knock off Spyderco sharp maker: for maintaining undamaged edges, very easy to use, great compliment to a coarse stone for edge repair

Diamond bench stone: these are wonderful for repairing edges, but they remove a ton of metal so they're really useful for reprofiling and repairing, not so much for keeping a kinda sharp edge sharp

Sharpening can be a lot of fun, and there's a million ways to do it. Find some YouTube tutorials (virtuovice is someone I definitely recommend, sweet old Japanese deer Hunter with an enormous wealth of knowledge on water stones). Knowing what you're doing with sandpaper is way better than buying a $80 knife sharpener you don't know how to use well, or don't feel like setting up and putting together.

I'd say a Japanese waterstone would be the way to go. They're not that hard to use. This Kai 240/1000 would even match most of his knives! A 1000/6000 would also be a good option paired with a fine diamond stone.

I understand that none of these would work particularly well for that half serrated blade. But a little Lansky blade medic could touch it up nicely.

I use a DMT diamond whetstone:
https://www.amazon.com/DMT-W6FP-Diamond-Whetstone-Sharpener/dp/B00004WFU7/ref=sr_1_4?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1521046444&sr=1-4&keywords=diamond+whetstone

With a pencil, I draw a grid on the water stone, then run the diamond whetstone over it til all the pencil marks are gone. I haven't checked for square in a long time!

Get some angle guides and a whetstone.

Edit: you can use any angle guides. I personally use these