Re: Cresent City Razors.
You may have seen it, but there is a guy on YouTube called burrfection that sharpens a knife on a brick to show that it is about skill and not just equipment. He never claims it is better, nor does he try to sell you a brick, though. I enjoy his videos.
I understand what you are saying about "rubbing steel on rocks" being an oversimplification. And that it implies you don't really have to think about what you're doing. But, I think of it as a way of telling noobs that you don't have to over complicate it, either. I find it interesting when yall talk about theories and debate different techniques and science of edge shapes. But I'm not there yet. I need to stick with rubbing steel on rocks until I can get a consistent good edge before I start to figure out fancy things to improve it. It keeps me grounded and to stay within my limits.