TomD
Keep in mind there isn't just one kind of knowledge, the history of the craft is also important. Why in gaining one insight, does it have to be at the cost of another?

"I don't recall anyone mentioning things like, don't waste your money on a premium plane and/or a high angle frog, just learn to prepare and set up the cap iron properly on your Bailey and you will get optimum results,"

There is always someone around who says don't waste your money. I have probably told the story of my crappy Japanese franken plane that takes a 3 tens shaving 10 time here. The first few times I told the story the response was split between interest and "disbelief". I have posted many times the basic conditions that are required to get good results with any plane. Most of my favorite planes cost less than a chipbreaker. Once the beech is ready, I expect my planemaking to be mostly molding planes for a considerable while.

"or, don't use the ruler trick because then you can't set up bevel-up blades optimally, and so on. I'm not saying it didn't happen, but if it did, those for whom Bill's (and others') work is old hat sure did not communicate clearly what they knew... :>"

When there is a hot vibe running you can say whatever the heck you want about whatever, your chance of moving the needle is zero. How much luck are people here having on the current subject even if they are right. There are a lot more things around this subject, that you guys will get to one day. Do you think this is finally The Answer. Do you feel receptive today? Would you have been if people had said the ruler trick was a waste of time? I have never used it.