learn how to sharpen a knife
A steel is not for sharpening, its for touching up a blade.
A whetstone is for sharpening. Diamond laden stones and steels are good.
17 * angle for kitchen knives
20* angle pocket/utility knives
30* combat knives
a strop (not strap) is used for finishing the blade. it takes the microscopic "teeth" out of the blade, smoothes it out. A leather belt will work too. Always pull away from the edge with the strop, unlike on the stone.