John Rumm grunted in
o.uk:

On 10/10/2017 10:52, Lobster wrote:

Thanks a lot for the replies - really helpful.

I do currently have an oilstone and honing guide, which I'll still be
using for honing.

The loss of temper due to overheating hadn't occurred to me, I must
admit, so the 'wet' aspect of the Aldi machine would be good. As far
as I can see there's no way of getting a reasonably precise angle
with that, I guess you just have to hold the blade against the wheel?

I was also just looking at this Clarke item:
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clar...se-sharpening-
tool/
That does have a guide, but no water cooling.
It's also dearer, 50 GBP delivered vs 30 for the Aldi; but still
do-able.

Not as convinced by the machines like that...

If going the wet stone route, then its worth considering something
that has the Tormek style tool holding rails, but none of them are
particularly cheap.

These are cheaper than some:

http://www.rutlands.co.uk/sp+woodwor...nt-sharpening-
machines-8-wetstone-system-8-wetstone-sharpening-system-rutlands+dk7180

https://www.screwfix.com/p/scheppach...tstone-sharpen
ing-honing-machine-230v/40540

Thanks John; I can see the appeal - look much more like what I'd have
expected for sharpening duties. Though enough dosh to count as a serious
purchase rather than hiding it in the groceries as in the one from Aldi!
Might just wait till Xmas...