It was something that I saw mentioned in another thread. I won't be doing it in the future.
Lots of videos to watch! WOOT!
I'm going to suggest something that likely runs counter to much of the other commentary here. It is just a suggestion, so take it for what you think it'll be worth to you.
One very GOOD reason I see, for setting a bevel with a guided system, is that it will give you the best, flattest and purest foundation on which to practice your freehand from that point forward. We've all wished that manufacturers would consistently put good, reasonably acute & symmetrical edge grinds on all blades. Why do we wish for that? A big reason is, it's MUCH easier to maintain by hand from the start, because well-executed bevels are much easier to feel and control on the hones. Attempting to acquire the 'feel' for a flat bevel on the stones is a lousy & frustrating process when the existing bevels are poorly executed, asymmetrical or unbalanced, or round/blunt from the get-go.
Pick ONE knife, and set the bevels with your guided setup. Choose a knife in a relatively easy-to-deal-with steel, that won't give you too many issues with setup difficulties in the clamp, and that you think will perform well with a 30° inclusive edge (or less). That'll give you some decently wide bevels to 'feel' more easily when practicing your freehand technique. Issues with the 'feel' changing or diminishing at higher grit/polish levels will be lessened if the bevels you're working on are relatively wide and therefore stable and more easily felt. This is the biggest benefit, by far, for using a guided setup to establish new bevels on an edge. Maintenance by freehand technique is much, much easier after that.
You don't have to mess with running through a full grit sequence either, using the guide. Just set the foundation with the coarse stone and the guide, and then do everything beyond that with your freehand technique. An added plus for doing it this way: you'll be better able to feel the grit change with each step, as you move up in the sequence. When stepping up in grit, the bevels initially feel a bit 'sticky' on the hone, until the coarser scratches have been replaced by the next-finer scratches. Feels much smoother, even slick, buttery or glassy, when that transition comes. I've often thought it similar to walking on concrete with isolated icy patches; you'll immediately feel the difference as you step from the dry concrete onto the ice. You'll be amazed at how much easier it is to train your hands to it, and the 'feel' aspect will come with repetition (guaranteed).
David
