Obsessive? These guys? Naaahhhh!!!!

I've never whittled, I generally go to tree-top trimming, then stop because I'm lazy. I've handled some of Gunmike1's edges, and he's a lot better freehand than I am, I have to use my edgepro to try to catch him. I have no doubt that hardheart and DOW are the same.
For a comparison, my straight razors are honed to 14 deg inclusive, and I don't even think about stropping them and shaving until they will easily catch arm hairs 1/8th to 1/4 of an inch above my skin, going into the curl, if you know what I mean. And these guys are getting their knives sharper....
Trust me on one thing, if you want to see how sharp your knife is, shave your chin. Try it... Gunmike1 shaved his head with one, I have no doubt that others have done similar feats.