All my investigation of plane design and blade sharpening has turned into engineering. I studied physics and math not engineering so engineering philosophy is new to me. I need and engineering philosophy to know how far I should carry my investigation. This is probably just common sense for most people. My engineering philosophy has evolved into the following
Design plans that accomplish an objective. If two plans accomplish the objective then use the plan which accomplishes a more demanding objective.
Designing plans may includes trial and error. Some proposed plans may not accomplish the objective.
Part of the objective can be the cost (money, time,...). At some point looking for alternate plans might become more expensive in time since you could just use a plan you already have that works.
Even if I have a satisfactory plan, if another plan is interesting and only requires a bit of math to investigate then I might look into it just for fun even if it will cost more. Never know when a more demanding situation will confront you. "Be prepared."
Objective
On curly maple produce a surface that I see no need to improve and do this for under $500. [A more demanding objective would be the same but for under $100.]
Proposed Plans
1) Use my Stanley plane with a Sweetheart blade sharpened up to 0.5 micron abrasive paper.
2) Purchase a thicker blade for my Stanley plane.
3) Purchase a Steve Knight wood plane with a Japanese Iron that is sharpened up to a 15000x Shapton waterstone. (I wish!)