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Lie-Neilson Planes are very nice tools. I will never own one, because they are not so nice that I can't get the same results from an old Stanley or Wards Master that has been finely tuned.

When I recently bought a 1947 Unisaw I had several people question my rationale for buying a 61 year-old table saw. The man that owned it before me turned out amazing fine furniture even though he still used the original fence, I upgraded. I spent 12 hours fine tuning the saw (mostly because I had to take it apart to move it) and cleaning the top and now it cuts perfectly with its 1hp high torque motor that cuts through 3 inch oak like butter. $400 and 12 hours of my time learning all about my new to me table saw, that cuts as well as any PM 66 or modern Unisaw I have used.

One of the great things about less than perfect out of the box or used tools is that as you fine tune them you learn a great deal about them. I have a mish mash of planes from several manufacturers, they all have flat polished soles, and razor sharp blades, and most took an hour of theraputic for me fine tuning. But I know these tools now. I also have gotten to see how the planes are different. What I found out is that I would rather fine tune a plane myself than pay LN or LV to do it for me. As a result I have an added sense of confidence of knowing if I find a hidden nail I know how to fix my plane. The reality is that knowing how to properly use a plane is more important than have a technically perfect plane.