re: Sharpening Methods - Introduction

My first sharpening media was Japanese water stones but I don't use them much because of the need to presoak them before use, not to mention the mess associated with them.  I recently bought some Shapton ceramic stones to try.    Definitely less prep work and a little less messy but I need to find a better way to set them up so that I they are always ready for a quick touch up.    Another good topic for discussion here might be sharpening stations.  I really need to find a good dedicated setup for sharpening by hand.  Machine sharpening is pretty straight forward because the bench tools wind up on a bench top, flip top stand or shelf to be pulled out when needed but I need some ideas for a hand sharpening setup that makes it quick and easy to do so that I don't wait until every edge in the shop is dull before I tackle it.   

I do most of my coarse sharpening and repair on a Sorby Proedge belt sharpening system.  I can change or create a bevel or fix a nick or gouge very quickly this way.  Before I bought the Proedge, I did it on a 6x48 belt sander that I made specifically because I wanted to to use it for sharpening my turning tools.  I really hate sharpening them on a bench grinder.  I much prefer the edge I get using a flat grind on turning tools than I you get with a round grinding wheel.  (About the only thing I use my bench grinder for is de-burring metal pieces I cut.)  Sharpening turning tools might be a good chapter to include.  Sharpening guides and jigs might also be a good topic.