I have a little ceramic stone I use sometimes that works pretty well as a "steel." It's called an "American stone" I think and is white.
Anyway, yep, I do the sharpening free hand. I doubt my angles are exactly 22 degrees but I think they are pretty close. On my cleaver I give it a steeper angle and on my filet knives a much flatter angle.
Good information above - thanks Rick!
