Yep, hands on proof is everything. I had a similar thing with basic car stuff, like how changing a tire really shows you why round wheels work. Reading about it does nothing compared to feeling the lug nuts turn. When you do it yourself, the bad ideas just crumble because they don't match what's in your hands. That physical result, the thing that just works, it ends the whole debate in your head.

Tell me about it, @christopher952, though my gut's track record is pretty bad.

Found that out the hard way when my old uncoated blade snapped...