There is nothing better than a competent hand on a wet stone...
Barring that, I use a small, pocket sized ceramic cylinder set, permanently mounted in a plastic holder for my knife touch-ups. I mention this, because of my first statement. If you let them go too long, you have to re-establish the edge, as has been mentioned.
I touch-up the edge with the ceramic rods every time I use the knife. This way, it is finely honed for the next time I need it. Maybe you don't need a razor edge next time, but maybe you do...
And, I also agree with this: if it's a Benchmade, send it back to them. Once you get it back, keep it finely honed by touching up after every use, and you will not very often need to get into the stones.
If you do go for a free-held oil stone, use a book of matches as your guide. That is just about the perfect angle (in my experience) and usually easy to get a hold of. The more complex edges (three bevels etc.) may require one of those 'pro' sharpening systems, where you can alter the sharpening edge the needed three times.
A barber's leather honing strap is not too expensive, and a great 'final touch' for a truly wicked blade edge... Old leather drive belts work great too, but thoe are likely to be more expensive than a honing strap because of the age...