I hope this adds to the discussion
Yes Chuck it does, particularly:

But there is a trade off. During heat treatment the chromium addition combines with some of the carbon in the alloy to form chromium carbides – tough, hard particles dispersed through the steel. These carbides are the primary contributors to A2’s celebrated edge retention. However, during heat treatment, the chromium carbides can grow quite large – large enough to affect your ability to hone the edge as close to zero-radius as you may want. And these carbides are held in place with less strength than the rest of the steel matrix which can allow them to pop out under the stress of honing or cutting leaving a small gap in the edge.
The part saying, "during heat treatment, the chromium carbides can grow quite large" opens up an area of inquiry.

They can grow... Does that mean sometimes they do not grow?

Is there still some mystery in the making of A2 or an area that is outside of human control?

Maybe there is a sweet spot in the process that has not yet been learned or maybe someone knows and isn't sharing.

jtk