I'm with Leon- three side oil stone. Don't use those electric sharpeners, they only make things worse. Grinding wheel, ya gotta to watch you don't take the temper out . This is very time comsuming. ya can't take to much off,ya got to keep it even, ya got to keep it wet, and don't let it get blue from the heat, if you do .your done for

I have a Norton tri-stone, but I haven't used it for the last 7 years. I have an Arkansas stone, and other free hand stones. I will never use them again. It was 7 years ago that I discovered the Edge Pro sharpener. It's the only thing I use now and I highly recommend it. I was never real good using any stones by free hand. With Edge Pro, you can get any angle you want and stick to it. No deviating from the angle you choose. It's sort of like a mitre box. You can choose, say 15 degrees, and put that exact angle on the entire length of the blade. It's almost impossible to do that by free hand. It's a little expensive, but worth it to me. Up to $200.00 if you get all the optional stones. You probably don't need ALL the stones. I really like how the stones go several steps finer than the Norton tri stone. The Norton has a course, medium, and fine. The Edge Pro has all those and more. Fine, very fine, ultra fine, and even a "polishing tape" that's still finer. 
I haven't seen many people who can get a really sharp edge with the tri stones no matter how hard they try. The Edge Pro is different. ANYONE can get a perfect edge.
Check out the Youtube link.
YouTube - Sharpening Tools/Kits : Part 3 - EdgePro Apex
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rYxHD3IzeY&feature=related

 

Regular knife maintenance is vitally important! Not only does a sharp knife fit in with "work smarter not harder," a sharp knife will help your craftsmanship as well. I use Japanese waterstones only.

For heavy work and bevel resetting, I use a BESTER 500

For regular maintenance, I use a BESTER 1000 and a BESTON 1200

For polishing, I use a NANIWA SuperStone 3000 and a NANIWA SuperStone 8000

For honing, I use and F.Dick polished steel and an IDAHONE Ceramic hone.

Ceramic hones will actually take metal off, so you need to be gentle and make sure your angle is right.

Japanese stones will put the absolute finest edge on your knives, bar none.