Everything I've read here works.
I think a big thing to remember is to start from squaring up and making sure the back of the chisels are flat, true, and square. Working to sharpen the edge is so much wasted effort if the back is not flat, true and square first. The thing with mass-produced chisels is that they often come out of the factory with some level of twist, bend or rounding that is within acceptable manufacturing limits and yet will make for less-than-acceptable dovetailing.
The tip to use the knife to scribe is excellent - it will provide a more definitive and thinner line than any pencil.
I'm of the opinion that the hollow-ground is not as good as flat, but YMMV. I think a diamond honing "stone" is really useful, too.
But, the important thing is results and not necessarily the getting there. (I say that as I look at the scar from a home-done skin graft on my right index finger, where I slipped one time, as a reminder.)
