Like many builders reading here, I started strip-building kayaks from a point of very little woodworking experience. I know from personal experience that there are time when being able to remove an unwanted hump is very useful. Telling people to be careful laying strips is all very well and good, but some times it doesn't work out as expected.

Using a plane may create some more unexpected results, but so can the use of any tool. A sander is a tricky tool for fairing, due in large part to the fact that if you hold it in place it keeps on removing wood. This can be both a blessing and a curse. A hollow spot created by a little over enthusiastic use of a random orbital will be visible from a distance when coated in shiny varnish. Even horrible tear-out caused by a plane will be filled with fiberglass and epoxy.

I haven't found the tendancy of duct tape to release easily to cause any problems with regards to having to do more fairing.

My primary technique is to grab the tool which seems most appropriate for the task at hand. When doing fairing the tools that come to hand are a scraper, random orbital sander, fairing board, and a plane. When one does not do what I want, I grab something else.

I have always had the greatest respect for Rob's workmanship. I suspect that he could produce better results using bits broken sea shells than many of us could with the best plane or scraper on the market. Results are more dependant on the care taken by the craftsman than the specific tools used. I probably don't have the patience to put in the care where and when it is needed to produce the finest possible results. My techniques are a good match for my patience and the results I find satisfactory.

My recommendation is for people to try different tools and techniques and see what best matches your skills and goals. Learn what each tool does well so you know when it is time to switch to something else. As long as you are satisfied with the final result, you have used the right tools.