What makes most pre-1960 hand tools better?
Prior to 1960, hand tools were manufactured to exacting standards to meet the demands of persons who used those tools to make their living: tradespersons of all kinds. For example, castings used in planes were seasoned before the metal was machined and finished. Many of the newer, post-1960 planes are made from “green”, unseasoned cast iron which tends to warp and be untrue. While the feel and appearance of a particular hand tool is a subjective thing, the fit and finish aspects can be quantified as well as how the tool performs without a lot of after-market tweaking and tuning by the owner.
