A decorator with a big budget and average or above intelligence and education, not a collector and with no knowledge of woodturning or woodturners looks at two turned wooden pieces. They were made by different turners, but "appeared' to be almost identical. What makes her willing to pay $500 for one and unwilling to pay $50 for the other? Would she ever pay $5000 without knowing something about turning and turner's? Sure. She's spending someone else's money, but suppose she's buying for herself?
Many of us have two almost identical gouges or skews. At least they started out that way. Now the handle of one is dinged and splotched with glue and stained with lacquer. It's in constant use and the shaft is short from many sharpenings while the other is in almost new condition. What is it about our favorite tools that is different from their almost identical brothers? Even if they are not the same, why do we consistently pick up these old friends while a 'better' and more expensive one lies unused? Probably habit?
One turner's shop is cluttered almost beyond recognition, nothing is in any discernible order and his table saw has become a table. In the dim light his lathe is seen spattered with glue and paint, the bed is covered with things of the trade and a layer of chips and dust covers all. He seems to like it that way. Another turner's shop is pristine. Everything has its place and stays in it. The floor shines and the lathe gleams in the bright light. Equally good work is done in both shops. Go figure or don't go figure, who cares.
Both are hobby turner's yet the one who is comfortably well off has much older and less expensive tools in his garage shop. The other buys top of the line tools and accessories from every paycheck to paycheck. He uses them in his well designed and roomy separate shop building. Both are competent turners and generous in sharing their knowledge and turned gifts. Genes, environment, what? Who knows what determines a turner's personality? For that matter why did you become a turner while your brothers and sisters didn't? Of course. You don't play golf and all your sibs do.
I know, we are all different and that's why the world goes round, but it is interesting to muse about things that are of no consequence and plain for everybody else here to see. :)
Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter