There's so much subtlety to a good edge. I can get a blade to shave easily, but how comfortable is that shave? A little extra effort on the hones will produce a very comfortable shave. Pictures after the fact would be the same, but the feel during and after would be quite different. A sustained effort with the hones will produce a truly wonderful shave that still looks the same as the lesser edges. It IS all about how it feels IMO.
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