Personally I find an India stone for the first step then down to a Black Arkansas followed by a translucent Arkansas...the rods are a bit difficult to hold the correct angel (29degrees) . Th get a really sharp edge don't use oil or water in the final two steps. The oil will suspend the metal pieces and worn off stone and Gall the edge. When the stone loads up with metal clean the surface with light oil or mineral spirits.then back to sharpening