Okay but "for an hour straight"... were you actually timing yourself at the anvil? That sounds like a workout, not a knife. The new hammer sounds faster, but I guess I just don't get why the old way needed to be that hard in the first place.

Maybe the real cost is that mental switch from trusting your hands to trusting a machine. Like @kim.ben said, different tools for different jobs, but your brain has to relearn when to use which. That hidden effort can make any new gear feel like a step back.

Doubt it's that deep, @jessica_miller.