Re sharpening. I do the bleeders with a file and then pull them backward a couple of strokes on a side at a time on a hone.
I also use a file to get a good straight, consistent edge along the entire blade. They're three laminations (thicker) in the front and some blades tend to be a bit concave when they come from the factory.
Then I go to Tru-angle hones. I use a Tru-angle file block first, which gives a perfectly straight and consistently beveled edge. Then the coarse stone hone, followed by the fine stone hone. I start with about 10 strokes on each side, then eight, then six etc., down to two and one stroke on each stone. Tru-ange also made a leather strop, but I've never owned one, and the heads are plenty sharp when I finish with my process.
I don't know if Tru-angle is still in business, but one can sometimes find then ( or knock-offs) on the big auction site.