Occasionally you see posts where new guys get very excited about starting & make do with what they've got. Sandpaper honing, strop with an old belt & they claim great shaves.
We all seem to be striving for the best edge we can achieve, & buy more stones etc to get there.
trewornan, if you're happy with the shaves, then it does work. The next man may find it just doesn't.
I think we could all get by with far less than we use, but since we're nurturing our aquisition disorders we feel we need more.
Personally, i like more, but i don't think i need it.