Hand tools: What’s better done the old fashioned way?

+1 for the garden weasel, good tool

Phil Swindler wrote:This was a re-build from a broken bench.
The single screw holding the cross brace to the legs couldn't handle the stresses of daily use.
The screws came loose.  This let the bench go askew and the tongue and grove joint one one end broke.
Some of the rebuild was done with power tools.  Some of the work was done with simple hand tools.
Shortening the bench and re-cutting the tongue and grove was done on a table saw.
The mortises were cut with a chisel and mallet.
The tenons were cut with a hand saw.
The old brown finish on the bench top was removed with a hand plane.
The draw peg was cut, tapered, and inserted with hand tools.
The parts that were done with the table saw were much quicker and easier.
The parts done with hand tools felt much more satisfying.
The purple stain was the juice from a red cabbage.

Yesterday I was talking to the teacher whose room this bench is in.
We both noticed the purple color is fading.
That's a little disappointing.
But, I shouldn't be too shocked.
New purple heart wood is a brilliant purple.  But, by the time it is 10 years it changes to a deep brown.  It's a nice brown.  But, it's still brown instead of purple.
Any ideas on how to make the cabbage stay purple?

I am in an area of a lot of seniors aging out, Downsizing, estate purging.
Ok.. aren't we all?
So I frequent the online auctions, garage sales and Flea markets.
Last week I bought a spokeshave for $2..
There are sometimes things that are hilarious yet sad.
If you want to buy an Antique Smart Water pump.. they run about $300.
However.. If someone runs an electrical cord up the middle and puts a lampshade on it..
It was $5 at the auction so $6.61 with taxes and fees all in.