Used to think it was just old guys being fussy. Then I saw how light moves in a hand-rubbed finish versus a spray can. Totally different kind of depth.
Yeah, that "different kind of depth" thing is real. I mean, I tried to fix a scratch on my granddad's old dresser with a wipe-on poly once. It just sat on top, looked like plastic. The original shellac soaked right in, made the wood look alive. Totally get what you mean.