What is the best/easiest/fastest way to do an evenly/uniform edge loop split on a complex model using the maya's standard poly tools?
I know about mj poly tools and open maya tools which has edge loop split etc. I want to use the standard toolset in maya only.

The reason that I don't want to use plugins is that I get strange behaviour in maya after a while using those plugins. Like select contiguous edges, grow/shrink selections stop working even after I reset selection constraints.

In the video tutorials, Kurt uses split poly a lot but that is too slow for my workflow.

Workflow 1)
Use split poly and setting number of magnets. Slow because
you have to orb around your model and click a lot.

Workflow 2)
Select faces using paint brush then use cut faces tool. Only
really useful if you need to cut in planes. Difficult to use for organic shapes, like adding and edge loop around an eye etc.

Workflow 3)
Select edges using paint brush then subdivide those edges. Connect using split poly tool. Event slower than only using split poly but then you don't have to fiddle around with the number of magnets to use.

I'm not sure workflow 3 is that useful...

Any other ways?