Peter B.

Just found this forum, saw this post and had to jump in.... For my money, the many examples of vintage tools being superior to their modern counterparts are what define the history of hand tool manufacturing. In my case, I'd rather use my vintage Craftsman wrenches than their modern equivalents because the quality and durability is far superior, and they were made in the U.S. not China or Taiwan. Stanley hand planes are another example where the modern equivalents were outsourced overseas and the resulting quality bottomed out dramatically. I own and use a dozen different vintage Stanleys and a few Lie Nielsen hand planes, which basically are the modern resurrection of the vintage Stanley Bedrock line, made here in Maine. When faced with a choice between a vintage hand tool and its modern equivalent, I will always go with the vintage model because the materials are better, the skill and craftsmanship that went into the tool was better, the durability is better, the functionality is better, the fit and finish is better (even when banged up), and they were made by men and women who were paid a living wage for their skills here in the United States - and that matters!