Williamlayton:
That's a great question. My answer is that a best tool, like a gun or fishing tackle, serves the purpose for which it was intended and serves it well. It gives satisfaction in usage. It fills its niche so well that I don't want anything better This reminds me that I don't want a different wife or different kids or a different dog. But I digress.
On the topic of 45s, my 45s are the best that money can buy, for my purposes. I feel lucky that "best" is not contingent upon fancy cosmetics. (My guns would have been a lot more expensive if it were.)
Best things give me confidence in what I am doing with them, whether it's a hunting gun or a target gun. I know that there is no better tool out there, so I'm free to concentrate on improving my ability with the tool.
Best things are both durable and reliable, and can be maintained without undue expense.
Best things are not necessarily inexpensive, nor are they necessarily expensive. But best things are seldom the least expensive things of their kind. Likewise, they are seldom the most expensive things of their breed.
Most of all, my best and your best are not likely to be the same. We each have our own calculus of value.
