TomD
Derek I think we are on the same page. The wire can indicate what you say, but should not be any larger than necessary. If you could just hit the point where sharpness occurred and not have to go further, why would one? The wire is not the goal but at best a marker on the road. So I wouldn't build much of my technique around it.

I will see if I can find the source for the barber method, it takes a long time for me to explain, and then is only second hand.