Mike,

I am not saying don't, or that synthetic stone are better than naturals.

I am saying for the novice learning to hone, an inexpensive, repeatable, known, reliable, practically bullet proof synthetic stone will teach a novice how to get a repeatable, shaveable edge.

From there go in any direction you wish.

We are not anti-natural stones, hell most of us would grind them up and inject them if we thought we could get a better edge. I have well over a hundred naturals and still collecting. Rare is the stone that can improve a 12k edge, though I have a few and they are fun to use. And as you say some of those edges are special.

I also have several synthetics from a variety of makers, a cabinet of paste and strops and film. There is no, one road to a keen edge.
Most novices have a simple agenda, make my razor shave. The quickest route is the interstate… a synthetic, by no means the only way.

Enjoy the road.