I mean, it seems like it's in jest/all in fun. It's the internet. People tend to act a little differently. There's certainly a perceived dominant way of doing things here and it's cool that there's a level of passion/wanting to get more people to try something new and different. Everyone has their ways though. As long as people are tinkering/playing/trying new things it adds quite a bit to the hobby. This also seems to raise egos and cause infighting but as my grandmother used to say, "boys will be boys".It's interesting to me to read a few members here making light of a "method" that has helped many people learn how to hone. And yet, a few of you seem to have your own "method" that you are all too willing to share at any given chance as if what you do is the "be all, end all."
Is Lynn Abrams' "method" his own? Probably not because he more than likely learned from someone else older than he. Just like a few of you have passed on your "methods" of lapping films, balsa and other techniques that have helped others to include me. I have actually tried those methods that some here have suggested years ago. They weren't for me but I didn't post any snarky commentary on these threads back then, it would have been ungentlemanly. Likewise, I have some balsa arriving today so that I can try to see how pasted balsa would be any different in maintaining my edges as opposed to my current method of JNAT finishes to do that. I have tried 0.1u diamond paste on linen and that does improve edges significantly faster than pulling out the stones. My assumption is that balsa will be even smoother. However, if there is not a patent on a "method", it's just that. I think we've degraded the conversation into semantics. Lynn Abrams has my respect because he showed my how to get started and I've now been honing for over a decade.
In short, I have an open mind and a willingness to learn from some of you who were here before and after me. Let's not be too quick to make light of the contributions of other past and present. It really isn't very fitting of the caliber (or if you prefer calibre) of these discussion forums.
At the end of the day, it's shaving. And a bit silly. Which is why I love it as a hobby.