TomD
"I did get the nugget it's 'sound blacksmithing'. Super. The problem with that is it is too reminiscent of the now familiar marketing strain of "Fill-in-the-Blank San" making a last run of plane irons before he kicks the bucket at age 114 and has no sons to which his mysterious techniques and secrets can be passed. Or "Fill in the Blank San" filled a special request for a set of exquisite chisels whist suffering from bunions and a bad case of gout--- yada, yada, yada..."

How in the word does sound blacksmithing sound like the tripe you reeled off? I've heard those other stories. In theory there are people who collect these tools for investment purposes. That strikes me as a bad idea, though they could hardly be doing worse than my index funds. But if people want to do that, the death of a master would be a consideration. I remember people pumping the sudahide awaji planes back in the 80s. He was going to die and everyone who bought his planes would be rich. Not my kind of investment, but do you know who bought one? Odate. I'm not saying it was a real investment opportunity, and they were definitely pumping it up, but that market is out there. Don't confuse it with working guys spending their own money for using tools. Guys selling the tools sell to both. At the time I did think I was getting value for my dollar compared to what american knife makers were getting for knives.

"Too much of this, shall we say "fluff," flying around on the 'net to believe much of it. And I don't. Sharp is sharp. And Mr. Goddard and Townsend are Mr. Goddard and Townsend. Mr. Marples is Mr. Marples."

Yeah, but do you think you are the only person who realizes it. I would imagine 99% of the people who read it, are onto it. But even the most hostile, at times racist reviewers of hand tools have had a hard time not giving the top rating to Japanese maker by a long shot. So how does that happen?