Thank You All for this great and informative thread. It challenges me to think outside the box.
I agree with the broad assessments posed in general, as substantial re-affirmation and furtherance of efficiency in adapting to different grit edge finishes which in turn puts form and function toward maximized material usage, and delivering maximized end results -- incorporating differing blade steels, grinds and edge geometries in beneficial applications of blade- worthiness and bladeworking -- best suiting the particular tool to the tasks at hand.
As I have long ago attained proficiency with freestyle bench stone sharpening -- now employed almost exclusively, with high degrees of skilled precision in consistent quality work attained very regularly .....hence, I am currently investing in the three particular Spyderco 8" bench stone set as high performance replacements of some of my older and lesser articles. Expensive, and definitely justified for my purposes.
- SB / Bruce