what are the steels used? How similar in hardness, carbon content, etc? Or if it's actually just one type of modern homogeneous steel (makes a very boring pattern so smiths "cheat" to emulate less homogeneous steel

).
Well good quality waterstones of varying grits should work fine (depends on blade shape and edge style -recurve, straight, drop-point, etc). Be very careful as many "damascus" blades are etched heavily and the look could be ruined if you scratch it up even a little. However a re-etch wouldn't be TOO difficult if the polish is pretty even and fine.