I have the pocket sized spyderco hones, but I got the separate medium and fine ones. On each one, I found that one side seemed flatter than the other, so I only used one side of each. For a while, all I had was those two and a Swaty. For maintaining a razor, they were just fine. And while you could do more serious honing on them, I wouldn't recommend it.

The size really does become an issue when you want to remove some serious metal; it's not the width, it's the length. In the process of trying to set a bevel on a razor I got so fed up that I went out and bought a King 1K stone for like $20. At that point, I was pretty much set to go. Yes, it will take longer/more strokes with such small stones, but it is doable; I would call that (a bench sized 1k, the med/fine pockets, a finisher) a complete setup for $20 + $35 + whatever my Swaty cost (I don't remember).

But, as with all starter sets, it was something to move up from. I have since added a BBW/coticule combo. My Spyderco's don't really see active use (though I do use the med to raise a slurry on the BBW). The only scenario I could see honing on the Sypderco's is if I wanted to take some stones on a trip or do a really really quick touchup that goes beyond the Swaty.