Great input chaps. 
@Ryan - Not cheating to mention Worksharp machines. I don't have one, but that is only because they weren't available here when I was in the market. I have a Tormek T8 with the standard stone wheel, the three diamond wheels and the Japanese polishing wheel. I have a lot of their jigs too and I love that machine. I also have other sharpening machines. As far as hand sharpening goes, I have a set of Naniwa splash and go stones, DMT diamond stones and oil stones. I use them all. My all time favourites  though are my Shapton ceramic stones. They are the bee's knees.

Andy -- Old Chinese proverb say: If you think something can't be done, don't interrupt man who is doing it.