I use 2x4 and yellow pine a lot.You really need sharp tools.
IMHO, I would buy this
https://www.chefknivestogo.com/ckcodipl40.html
and this
https://www.amazon.com/d/Sharpening-...ing+6000+stone
as soon as I could. Then make a leather strop. You can find instruction for that on Youtube. Paste the strop with green Chromium Oxide paste from Harbor freight.
This is what I use. It will get your chisels and plane blades crazy sharp, and make it easy to keep them that way.
The diamond plate does double duty as the beginning of your honing routine, and as a way to lap the waterstone to keep it flat.
There's a ton more gear you could buy, but that is a basic setup that will work, and I can personally vouche that it works well for the wood you are working.
Buy them one at a time if you have to. But the diamond plate first if you do.
If you've never used water stones, use light pressure on the waterstones. They cut quickly, so you don't need to bear down. If you do you will gouge them.
You can buy the 6k stone by itself in a larger, thicker version for more money. I recommend it if you have the cash, or even the King 8k instead. You will still probably spend under $100 for the entire set up.