I have not read through this entire thread but for me, I think there is a LOT to be said for micro bevels. I have been sharpening by hand since I was about 7 yrs old. Now almost 60. I have been able to get blades paper cutting sharp for many decades. I have recently committed to upping my sharpening skills.
I really enjoy sharpening by hand. I have 3 oil stones and 3 water stones up to 6000. I also bought a really nice 12" double sided strop and some green compound. I can get my kitchen knives to the next level & they do pop the occasional hair but I can't get them hair popping straight razor sharp until I finish on my ceramic sticks. It puts a micro bevel on my blades and literally makes them pop hair off like a straight razor.
I have never enjoyed cutting up food that much until I actually achieved the hair popping sharpness. It is so nice to be able to cut root vegetables and squash without it flying across the room. So I am a big fan of micro bevels at this current point of the rabbit hole. But who knows, I am always learning so that could change, IDK ?