Whetstone or electric sharpener for a beginner?

Both camps have support. Whetstones like the Sharp Pebble line earned the strongest absolute-sharpness praise from Consumer Reports, but reddit reviewers note a learning curve and that softer stones dish out and need flattening. Electric and guided systems trade ultimate edge quality for speed and consistency. The recurring community refrain is that the best sharpener is the one you'll actually use.