Thread: Honing with small stones (<2")

So today I did something that may have been quite dumb. I didn't have my Thury with me, but a had my Thury slurry stone and a razor of mine needed a touch up so I figured WTH, and used the slurry stone. What I did was held the razor up in my left hand and made small circles with the stone in my right hand, making sure to keep the spine and edge in contact at all times. What I am wondering is, sure big stones are very convenient, but what is to stop us from using a little stone slid parallel to the edge (like old swords and scythes) or making small circles with a slurry stone?
PS: I have posted in advance so that newbies (newer than I) are less likely to read it and form a bad habit if it is truly bad.