Does anyone use an escher only (no other hones in addition) for maintaining a razor indefinitely? how effective is this? is this something that was common in the past?

i've heard some people say that when honing from a 1k bevel setter on up to escher one should reach a 12k hone before heading to the escher as the escher will polish slowly, but do little to actually sharpen. what do people think of this idea? any reason why a 1k->4k->8k->escher progression wouldnt be as satisfactory?