I used to use that but I didn't like to alter my smoothing groups (or
remember the numbers.) I've used materials to give me extra selection sets.
Example, I have a creature that has the same material for all its skin. I
make duplicate skin materials for UpperArm, LowerArm, Chest and so on and
name them accordingly then assign them to the proper faces.
By using MATERIAL/SHOW I can then select the faces I need for editing.
Just another skinned lemming, I guess…
Jamie