I don't hone a wide variety of sharp implements - just razors and knives. Being a hobbyist, I like tinkering with natural stones. I've had the Spyderco hones, but that was when I was just starting out and I think I blamed the hones for my inadequacies as a honer - so I got rid of them at the time. I still have a lot of lapping film around, and I use that occasionally and marvel at the edge it puts on, and the ease with which it cuts. When people ask me to suggest starter hones, I usually suggest lapping film, as the monetary outlay is minimal and they're easy to learn to use.

For my knives, I have never used any of my oilstones (I have a variety of Charnley, LI, etc.). Maybe it's time to branch out and use some of the oilstones on knives. I generally just use a 'vintage' combination hone I picked up in an antique store and then finish on a large bit of Asagi that I have. It works wonders.

Basically, honing is fun - and should stay that way for hobbyists. If you're not having fun with a hone, or if you lose patience with it, then stop and use something else. Everyone needs to figure out what works for themselves.

I'm not in the business of selling hones (though it may be time to cull the herd a bit), and I don't have any real preferences when it comes to hones. I keep a Charnley, a La Verte and a thuringian in the bathroom for quick touch-ups. They seem to work for me. My Oozuku (the only JNat I use on razors these days) is too heavy to use frequently.