windridge

You know, it's an old argument that not everyone gets, it's more a life experience thing. Some learn it earlier than others.
Here in the land of LL Bean, whose "100% satisfaction guaranteed in every way" is almost absurd, Lie Nielsen has emerged as a way to have a really good tool and actually save money in the long run. I recently dropped a 60 1/2R LN on a stone floor and bent the front knob and the adjustment on the cap. I dropped this very heavily used (and abused) plane from about 12 feet and was ready for a bill. LN not only replaced the parts, but also polished the sole without charge.
Yep, you get what you pay for. If you don't have ton's of money, you really can't aford the cheap tool.

Thanks for the forum,
Andy