I use a stone and get them shaving snap no problem.

It's pretty hard to beat a 1" x 30" belt sander from harbor freight ($39). Get a series of belts/grits and the leather strop belt online. Your still probably under $75. It takes a little finesse but after the first one or two it's pretty simple. I color the bevel with marker a few times during the process to maintain the correct angle. My most common used grits are 400-600-then the leather belt with compound. I could use a 1000 grit belt but didn't buy one yet. No need for anything courser than 400. It makes Grizzlies so sharp you can't even feel any drag when shaving hair off your arm. I take my time. About 5 min ea. I did 12 in about an hour. That includes interruptions to glass the bean field for the resident doe. The edge is so smooth it can be hard to determine just how sharp it is. I do have the KME single bevel diamond system but haven't used it this year. I can appreciate the precision bevel it makes. But I am getting them sharper with the sander and enjoy the time savings. Plus the sander is the best and fastest knife sharpener! Those junker kitchen knives that have been dull for 10 years are shaving sharp in an instant.