Reddit reviews DMT D3EFC 3-inch Dia-Sharp Sharpener, Credit Card Sized- Extra-Fine, Fine and Coarse Diamond -Set of 3

Borrow stones from someone. Or go to your local woodcraft and try out the sample sharpening tools there.

More seriously, the DMT diamond credit card set gets knives really sharp for $25 ( https://www.amazon.com/DMT-D3EFC-Dia-Sharp-Extra-Fine-Diamond/dp/B00006IIO3/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1546742876&sr=8-3&keywords=diamond+card+sharpener ). Pair that with some stropping on corrugated cardboard and you should have a pretty sharp knife. For an extra $9 you can get a real leather strop and polishing compound: https://www.amazon.com/Leather-Honing-Strop-Green-Compound/dp/B07214VMGB/

Here you go! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006IIO3
I think they were under $20 when I got them.

get the cheap sets to start and learn how to sharpen, that skill will pay off down the road, I'd argue it's just as important as actually learning how to use the chisel properly (which really isn't rocket science). Invest in a simple diamond set to start, or even the small credit card set for cheap if money is tight.

I had a set like this when I first started. Eventually I got a variety of larger japenese water stones and high end diamond stones. Sharpening is literally just shaving metal off to make a sharp edge, you could put different grits of sandpaper on a level surface (lots of people us sandpaper taped to a pane of glass method) to quickly resharpen the edge. watch videos or go to a local store like woodcraft or rockler and ask them for some help, a lot have free beginner classes or would happily give you a lesson.

I had beater chisels from home depot with orange handels that were garbage, but I got good at sharpening them and it worked as I didn't use them much. I'll still use them for beater work where I don't care about messing them up. Eventually got like a 6 or 7 piece set of Narex ones that were like $75 shipped, those hold an edge pretty well and are decent quality and probably the next step up from generic big box ones, but still a good value if you want to buy a set.

I've got a couple of the new Stanley sweetheart (new as in not vintage restored, because Stanley stopped producing the chisels for a while) chisels that are pretty decent also, but a bit higher quality I think they are all $20-$30. Now I usually just buy pfeil ones as I need them for my basic bevel up as I like the brand and they are availble at my local woodcraft, but I've got a few LN mortise chisels that are amazing, but those run $60-$75. The Pfiel ones come in at around $30-$50. For larger timber framing type stuff I've got two larger Japanese chisels. Just collect them as you go, but start with the cheap sets for sure. If you get one project where you find yourself needing a specific size, or eventually you notice the size you use the most, look into buying a $30+ version of that one chisel.

In regards to carving though, do not go cheap. It's one of the areas in woodworking like hand planes where I'd say you really, really get what you pay for. Cheap ones are going to be a nightmare to work with, I made the mistake of buying some cheap 10+ set for cheap and had horrible experiences. my carving tools are pfiel, just broke down and bought a set as I wanted to try a few projects that involved carving. Buy individual ones as I need them now, but don't do carving work consistently.

chisels are luckily one of the few hand tools where you can make cheap ones work. I'm assuming you also aren't working on highly figured exotic woods or doing any incredibly fine detail work, so just having quickly sharpened cheap chisels will suit you just fine in the beginning stages.

The problem with vintage is they are not commonly in good condition, or at a good price and are rarely both. You need help now. I like my two woodriver planes and think it's a great option. I have had the Stanley one there and it's not good. Also the z saw and the gyo are essentially the same thing.

Here are some things I think are better values or super useful.

https://www.amazon.com/Narex-Republic-Woodworking-Chisels-863010/dp/B00GPC74ZQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491542519&sr=8-1&keywords=narex+chisels

https://www.amazon.com/Japanese-Shop-Hammer-13-Oz/dp/B0037MHXVW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491542635&sr=8-1&keywords=japanese+chisel+hammer

https://www.amazon.com/DMT-D3EFC-Dia-Sharp-Extra-Fine-Diamond/dp/B00006IIO3/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1491542814&sr=8-11&keywords=dmt+diasharp

https://www.amazon.com/iGaging-34-707-Wheel-Marking-Gauge/dp/B00B3ZS2J2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1491542992&sr=8-2&keywords=marking+gauge

Freehand with dmt diamond credit cards .

I haven't used the marble's but it has some really spectacular online reviews so it is probably fine usually 1000 happy reviewers aren't wrong. I like the more "bearded" design of it anyway.

As for the stones I epoxied them about 1/2 in apart just on some scraps of wood for a sort of handle (since there are 3 i just added a mini leather strop and some CROX to the extra fine one) and they are perfect for an axe and maybe a touch small for a knife but they still work fine. Plus they are small enough I just carry the fine/strop in my pack for touchups and it is always useful. The only downside is they take awhile to break in but I have had mine for years and I use them pretty regularly. I use these btw.

Also the crook knife is a great idea.

You got it buddy, I think this is even the exact one I have

Also available as a set of three if you want the extra fine and coarse ones as well.

I think the Credit card DMT's offer a better surface, greater sharpening area and an extra grit for the same price as 2 mini-sharps: Here

The Mini-sharps are more compact though: Course and Fine

but any razor-sharp edge will not stand even moderate use for a short while.

so in the long run, you spend a lot of money on razor-part replacements....

also, it depends on what you're planning to cut. try some simple wood carving (only minor abuse to any decent knife) with a razor, and you'll see how many of them you need. while my cheap byrd robin, is ready to go after only a short visit to the stone (just minor edge retouching).

I've used a box cutter (one of those retractable ones) for a LONG time. I used it at home, like it was part of my EDC (it was the sharpest thing in the house, lol). the edge would only last for so long, and that was while taking good care of not abusing it at all.

now that I have a proper knife that I can actually use without fear of ruining the edge, I'm happy, man. no matter how bad I abuse it, it will be up and ready with just a minor edge retouch.

as for field sharpening, I don't think a whole pack of razors (considering you'll need A LOT) weights much less than e.g. this "stone"

I think these sharpening cards are cool. Quickly tune up an edge on a chisel or plane iron, put an edge back on a marking knife, etc etc. Not going to replace a full sharpening setup or system, but i have been surprised how handy they have come in for me.

These are pretty decent and small

https://www.amazon.com/DMT-D3EFC-Dia-Sharp-Extra-Fine-Diamond/dp/B00006IIO3

I figured the walnut would be tougher than I'm ready for just from watching some videos beforehand. For the dmt sharpening kit you mentioned, would this one work?