Yes, a great edge is exactly that. I was very satisfied as I bought and learned my 12k Naniwa. A great finisher, IMO.
The gift of the Escher from a friend is truly appreciated. I probably would never have ponied up for one.
Still, on most old blades, it seems to impart a nice smoothness right away. Don't even waste my time on it for certain hard steels, though. Too lazy to learn the coticule, I suppose.

Indeed, all honing/talk thereof is mostly subjective, JMO.