Dr. Vadim Kraichuk at KnifeGrinders has published a number of really great articles on his web site. In them, he's done a great job balancing presenting the science behind what happens with the sharpening process, but I a way that does not require a degree in metallurgy or materials science to understand it. I especially like how Vadim balances :
knife sharpening research
vs
practical assessments with professional butchers at meat packing houses
Some of the notable publications on this site are:
The Proprietary 7-Carcasses Edge : a proven method for sharpening knives by a group which does it for meat packers and many others.
Summary : This method uses tools (including their computer program) to deliver a process which is proven to produce repeatable, amazing results without requiring a long training program for the sharpener.
Summary : There are 37 pages here that I can't summarize easily. He also does a great job incorporating pictures (including some from a scanning electron microscope) to demonstrate his concepts. Read it.
Werner Noli (AKA, "Drilon") and many others recommend the Vetakolaser goniometer. A laser goniometer is a very helpful in identifying the knife's edge angle, and this one looks to be good at a very fair price.
Tony Whitfield (AKA, "Y-Not") posted an additional recommendation regarding the knife sharpening platform, in that he recommended putting a drop of mineral oil on the knife blade and the platform. This was posted in 2018 on the Tormek Forum.
