Blake looked much more convincing. Tone's arguments level was rather low.
Iosif Shklovsky (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iosif_Shklovsky) memoirs. "In fruitless debates I used simple trick - I said "Don't simplify!", then in two minute - " you're complicating too much". After two or three such sequences, opponent looked lost and dazzled".
I agree with your observation. Tone also tried to undermine Blake's credibility by undermining his own...for me that was a very odd tactic to employ.