Mike Stafford
I think you summed it up perfectly Bill. It is what feels good in your hand and in your mind.

It took some practice for me to get used to using the short handled tools but now I love using them. They are not for every situation. I still pull out long handled bowl gouges etc. when I am doing bowl and platter work.

If you want to use long handled tools use long handled tools. If you want to try the short handled alternative by all means do so. You might like the feel.

Like my dear departed father-in-law used to say, "That is why they make chocolate and vanilla."