Introducing the word "Art" is a very dangerous thing, BB. Many of our old tools, particularly planes have a wide variety of scrolls and decoration which have very little effect on the useability. Think the scrolls on the sideplates of any number of old infill planes or the ploughs and side fillisters which can attract some very exotic prices at auctions. Many of our older saws have handles with various loops, scrolls etc. which have no effect on the saws cutting, but generally look a damn sight more attractive than some of the S&J saw handles of the 70s and 80s, or the plastic handles now standard on Western hard points.
Saw for saw, I would rather use something that looks right than something that doesn't. It's just that much of this decoration is accepted as normal or an indication of a better quality.
The reason I posted the Lazarus connection was that I had never before heard of them or seen them mentioned in any discussion of high end, hand made planes. I think some of the designs are eccentric and it's difficult to understand why they have been made like that without any comment from the maker. Some however to my eye, are elegant with some interesting ideas.
Generally I support efforts to move forward design into the 21st century, rather than slavishly follow old designs, hence I think Veritas's tools are to be encouraged. but if you look at anything, be it architecture, furniture, art, engineering, bridge building, can produce some very odd examples as well as works of rare brilliance. The bridges of Santiago Calatreva are, in my view, a case in point.
At the end of the day, beauty is a very personal view, in the eye of the beholder, but I do think that that these planes have some interesting construction methods, not necessarily unique, but worth consideration, particularly given the price range mentioned in the ZK site.
Mike
