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Wouldn't a ceramic hone do the trick for the kitchen stuff, without the mess? You could get the Spyderco Ultrafine.

I just touch the blade with the thumb and maybe gently run it along the edge a bit. If it sticks, the blade is getting there, if it doesn't, then you need more work on the hone. You can also feel...

All it takes are time and practice. On a good note, you'll enjoy every second of the process.

Np. I actually tried learning to play the guitar until one night when I got back from the club a bit tipsy, stepped on it and well... That was the end of my learning process lol. The callouses I get...

Doing lots of testing like when honing 5-10 blades will rough up the top layer of your skin a bit but it's nothing serious and goes away in a day or two. You won't even notice testing one blade.

The thumb test is actually touching the blade with your thumb. A sticky sensation tells you it's getting sharp.