What's a good sharpening system?

Folks,

I can only imagine the variety of ways to get a good edge on a working knife. Most of my knives I will never attempt or NEED to sharpen, but like all of us I have some that I use regularly. I have a set of those ceramic sticks from A.G. Russell, that will maintain a good edge already, but I have found it is too fine to remove much new material.

Xmas and a birthday are upcoming. I hear good things about the Spyderco sharpening system, as well as Lansky. I am good with my hands, but if a sharpening guide makes it failsafe, so be it. You tell me.

Mostly, I'm green on this stuff. Fill me in. What works for you?

Coop