craigd
RE: Bench woodies that work.
I own five single iron BD woodies, four HNT Gordons (try, jack, two smoothers) and a wooden shoot board plane. The low angle shoot plane is indeed a one trick pony. The Gordons (at 55 - 60º) are as general purpose as any of my metal bench planes (> 10).

Technique - I'm not sure I have any, not that I understand and can explain anyway (which is why this forum is so helpful). If I run into something they are unable to smooth (rare but happens), I try a different plane (instead of sharpening), if that doesn't work or I really can't afford tear out, scraper or sandpaper.

IMO, there is no holy grail plane, no secret sauce, no magic. Like everything else, know your tools, their strengths and limitations and practice, practice, practice.
Of course, if I would only eat my own dog food, I could hand cut dovetails too.