Dennis,
Like most people you have judged planes based on the way you have been able to get them top perform. I would highly suggest that the next time a Lie-Nielsen Hand Tool Event is in your area you should go observe and ask questions. These events provide an educational opportunity that you will seldom get anywhere else. Depending on which quest exhibitors are at the particular event you will be able to see everything from a $100.00 block plane to infill planes that are in the $2000.00 and up price range, but most importantly you will find out how to make planes work to a very high standard of function and you will learn a lot otherwise about the capabilities of these tools.
You'll see some surfaces created by these tools that you probably did not think were possible to achieve, which means you will learn the difference between a $40.00 plane and a $400.00 plane and the difference between sort of sharp and remarkably sharp cutting edges on plane irons. The world of woodworking hand tools is wide and deep and more varied that one can imagine. Before you pass judgment on whether you will pursue doing more work with hand tools do some investigating and some learning. The next thing you know, you'll own no less than 10 planes. (grin)
Ron Brese
Disclaimer: I make and sell infill planes and I exhibit at some of these L-N events and I am very biased in my opinion concerning hand tools.