For decades, as today, I've gotten in some practice on sharpening knives. Often they are household knives, not even the ones I use for fishing and hunting.
Many a Thanksgiving turkey and a Christmas ham got sliced before some non-hunters in the family, showing off some "hunting skills" of sharpening knives, using my well used stones.

Saved the wife and me some money in the process of not having to replace a "dull" old household knife, with a brand new sharp one. Sharpening for me was never just about hunting and fishing.

It's an old thread, but you are right. Sharpening is a skill and an art. I do my best, but I've got a lotta years to learn before catching with some of you older guys.
-Jake

Of Course Bocajnala, though its an old post but yea!!! it requires some sorts of skill to make your blades work better at peak time....