[knobtwiddler]

Thank you, all - some great insights.

The paradox for me is that there is sufficient demand for repro parts to make tooling and supply items in plastic / ABS, but not go the extra inch and make Bakelite. One replica part I'm thinking of is used in new commercial designs. The company with the tool in Japan must be making enough for it to be worth their while (like many niche items, I imagine it doesn't have great volume, but ticks along solidly).