On Oct 18, 2005, at 6:54 PM, Todd Hughes wrote:
>
>  Is always interesting to me that it is the "users" who are the ones 
> that stand on the corner beating thier chests and loudly proclaiming 
> to the world that they are only worried about how the tools perform 
> and there "utility" ....then go home and paint them, make new handles, 
> over clean and polish them up till you have to wear sunglasses to look 
> at them all in an attempt to get them to look new or at the very least 
> "pretty". I have seen this done by users to planes that would easly 
> grade excellent....yet they still didn't LOOK good enough for them so 
> they had to refurb them.Yet they will still tell you with a straight 
> face "Hey, I'm a User and I'm only concerned with how the tool works" 
> Of course these same guys will usually given the choice always pick 
> the plane in better cosmetic condition over one that has less finish 
> even paying a premium for the nicer one. Why since they both will 
> perform the same? Unless it is because they worry about the planes 
> looks and it's retail vaule.You might say it doesn't make any 
> difference....but I'm doubtful if that is true for many people

	Of course the condition matters, to both us users and you collectors.  
And it has always been thus.  Good craftsman appreciate fine tools, and 
they always have.  Why were all those boxwood, rosewood, brass and 
ivory tools made in the 18th century?

	 I'm always surprised when you are surprised about users wanting nice 
tools.  Where is it written in stone that users have to settle for 
dregs?  I think I have an argument that you will find particularly 
valid, the words of Henry Disston himself:

For Beauty, Finish, and Utility, this Saw cannot be Excelled

	Henry led off with Beauty, not utility.   He even gave Finish higher 
billing.  He marked this on the D8, the workhorse of sawing.  I suppose 
even workhorses are better appreciated when they are beautiful.

Regards,
Steve - Just say, users love great tools in great condition, and there 
ain't no contradiction in that,  but I'm not much for refinishing 
tools.

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