Christoper Alexander opens his book Timeless Way of Building, that in order to build with a timeless way, we first need to find the “quality without a name”.
What he is saying is that quality exists, it can be experienced and perceived, but it cannot be described by words. A town, place, or building that just feels good and natural.
You can spec that a door needs hinges and locks that function, but we all have experienced a wide range of very smoothly working, quality doors, and very janky working, bad quality...
This guy has an interesting channel with metalwork, restoration, and blacksmithing. In a day I watched all of his tool restoration videos. This one is a massive 500lb vise he found, dating from the 18th century in an Italian foundry. The restorations use acids, elbow grease, electrolysis, custom iron or brass casting, and even 3D printing to fashion replacement parts. Mesmerizing stuff.
Here are a few other good restoration videos: