the issue is not so much 'jigs' or free hand
it how steady your hands are in either system. a high end jig system suits me now as it takes the 'intention tremor' I now have ( hereditary ) completely out of the
equation. zillion years ago when I had a decent home workshop and did a lot of woodworking there was a Makita rotary wetstone system that I had
and still have most parts with various grit stones that I enjoyed as my chisels were so sharp you could almost shave with them
indeed a very old wood workers standard was to be able to shave w a chisel hair off your arm true story.
the point is that these very high end japanese knives need very special care any way you want to provide it.
Id also ask those with these or any quality kitchen knife to consider your knife's best friend, the cutting board.
newer ploy boards are very forgiving. BirdsEye maple, of which over time Ive had a bazillion 'board-feet' not so much
they has to be a quality USA place you can send them out to if you can't do the work your self.
Id do a lot of research on this first.
OF course, you could send them to me via PM and tell me the angle you want .....
what ever system you choose the point of it is to get it done correctly
get that poly board :
OXO has several sizes :
