Let me reiterate that the ruler trick is different from most back bevel approaches because you only use your finest stone, and only a few strokes on that. The resulting bevel is well under one degree, and very short.
Nobody needs to use it, but it is not the same as an uncontrolled larger bevel that will continue to grow and interfere with sharpening later.
Mtobey: How do you get Joel to hold still? I'd think he'd object.