sharpening pocket knives

[cb91710]

I use a hard Arkansas stone (translucent). The process is really not different than honing a straight razor.

Not totally different, but the honing angle is completely different.

In many ways, Straights are easier to hone because the spine sets the angle for you. The main way people screw up is by using too much pressure, and "overhoning".
I lost count of the number of pocket knives I "ruined" by improper sharpening... wrong angle, inconsistent angle (that was the main thing), etc...

Since purchasing the Lansky system, sharpening pocket knives has become a pleasure and I regularly bring blades home to sharpen for guys I work with.

[El-a-Menthol]

If you do want to reprofile a edge then maybe this is somthing for you.
I have the Spyderco Sharpmaker but thinking about ordering something like this:
DMT DuoSharp® 220/325 Grit Diamond Stone
Anhyhow DMT makes some great diamond stones, and get really good reviews and are often recommended in the knife fora, just like the Spyderco. It will cost more,but you don't have to order everything in one go.
Test the Spyderco for a while and if you fall in love with it then you can order the Ultra Fine rods and/or some coarse stones.