I feel like this question has surely been asked, but I couldn't find it. Please understand I'm not trying to stir the pot as I imagine this could result in a heated discussion.
I'm starting to gain an appreciation for hand tools, and am at that point where I understand I need a few hand planes to do better work. I have a low angle new version Sweetheart, an old Stanley defiance #3 i'm refinishing, and a mini Veritas shoulder plane. I plan to use anything I pick up, since i'm not a collector, but can appreciate history if it's a bonus. At the end of the day I want the best functioning plane most of all. I don't mind putting in some labor to refurb a plane.
My Questions:
1) Assuming both are sharp and well tuned, do the older planes have any functional advantage over a new LV/LN plane? I would assume not, but if they are truly equal I guess I could call history a tiebreaker in favor of the old planes.
2) What older planes tend to make the best working units when tuned up? I don't mind putting a modern blade on an old plane if that factors in.
Thanks in Advance!