When I read threads like this I cannot help but think that the sharpness gets at the level of a razor. Then I give thought to how many shavings on timber it will take before you would be unable to shave the hair on your arm, 2, 3, 5, 10? For me a quick grind on the Tormek, a few strokes on a Shapton 4000 and it is sharp enough to continue my work. It takes me perhaps less than one minute to sharpen.
Spending a money on a smoothing plane is imho a far better investment.