Very cool stuff to find! Happy it wasn't permanently misplaced.
I often wonder where all that cool old stuff is these days. Just sitting in boxes somewhere in the basements of old CPFers or their kids I suppose.
Good question.
I am rarely without my Haiku except when I strip it down to clean it/maintenance, and in those times I will usually carry my brass custom Saltytri which now has a nice patina and also a wonderful EDC. If I go bush I will carry a couple larger lights with throw as required (custom or manufactured), but will also lash an AlephIII which I built with an XLM2+Datiled driver (uses a 17500) to my belt, and works an absolute treat. Its very nicely focused for throw but still with useful spill.
Most of the other customs and rare ones are in a display case. Other manufactured and more common customised lights are scattered about the house, at work or in my room at the family farm and get used if needed.
I would hope others still keep some of the beautiful classic lights going and not just trash them. Hopefully they still use them, I know I try to. Perhaps we should start a thread 'What is your collection doing now' or 'Show which classic lights you have used today'... :shrug:
But if none of my nephews or nieces are interested in keeping the collection as I get on, then I intend to pass them on to new users and let them continue to be enjoyed, hopefully by people who will appreciate such items.