My recommendations to people who don't want to spend a lot of time learning specialized sharpening techniques

Sometimes people just want to cook, and don't care how their kitchen knife gets sharpened.

• Pull-through sharpeners work ok, however they can (if used many, many times) remove much more material from the knife than other sharpening methods do.
• There are many mail-in sharpening services available online. These services can produce very good results on a wider variety of blades, however you'll be without your knife for a little while.

Local places you might be able to sharpen them at. (these are great because you don't have to be without your knife for several days)

• Resharp automated machines, available at some local Ace Hardware stores.
• Williams Sonoma stores
• Sur La Table stores

In Chicago

Local places to get sharpened in Chicago:

• Sharpening by Dave — He shows up at a lot of farmer's markets.
• Northwestern Cutlery