>Alan N. Graham wrote:
>>I find myself now examining the tools and wondering whether to get rid
>>of a few. The quality and unusual ones will stay, but some of the early
>>purchases, bought when my knowledge and experience were minimal, lay
>>unused and unloved in remote places in the shop.

How's the old saying go?

 The Ability to make Good Choices grows out of Wisdom.
     The Blossoming of Wisdom grow out of Experience.
         The Gaining of Experience grows out of Bad Choices.

I can't believe there's not a person on this list who doesn't
have a box or a shelf of "early purchases" stashed away somewhere,
which --like Frank pointed out-- would only go for a pittance
of the price that was paid for them.

But when I look at one of the gems on my shelf and feel like a 
complete dolt for having bought it in the first place, I can only 
ask myself "Where do you think the guy _you_ bought it from got 
it in the first place?"   The great circle rolls on...

N