I started cheap with my sharpening equipment. But I'll bet I spent quite a bit more than if I knew what to purchase in the beginning. I kept learning about equipment and techniques and spent a lot of money on blind alleys. What I wound up with is:
1. A WorkSharp with diamond plates to establish the primary bevel. I got the WorkSharp cheap when Home Depot had a pricing error.
2. Shapton stones 1000, 4000 and 8000. I mostly use the 8000 to do the secondary bevel.
3. A DMT diamond plate which I use to keep the Shaptons flat.
I've been with that setup for quite a while now and it works well for me.
Mike
Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good.