Are you sure it's a scratch and not just a carbon buildup mark? I read a thing from a vintage cookware collector once who said sometimes what looks like a scratch is actually a thin layer of burnt food that's bonded hard to the pan. He said to try scrubbing that spot with a little bit of salt and a damp paper towel, not too hard, just a gentle rub. If it doesn't budge, you can also try a little bit of dry baking soda on a soft cloth, it's gentle enough for old seasoning. I had a similar scare on a griswold pan from the 50s and it turned out to be a carbon stain that came off after a couple tries. Don't give up on the pan just yet, these old skillets are tougher than they look.

The cross-lock teeth really grab the pin in a way regular pliers just can't. They bite into the metal instead of sliding off when you twist. A little tip if you keep using them - angle the pliers so you're pulling straight out, not at an angle, or you'll just bend the pin worse. Once you get the feel for it, you'll wonder how you ever got by without them on anything tight.

That Mark at Golden Age Comics sounds like a good guy. I think what you ran into is something I notice a lot these days. People are quick to write off whole categories of things as junk, but it usually takes just one knowledgeable person to show you the good stuff hidden in there. It's like how I used to think all modern superhero movies were the same until a buddy of mine broke down the different filming styles. Suddenly I could see why some scenes felt tense and others didn't. Once you learn to spot the craftsmanship, it changes how you look at everything, not just comic books.

That old carpenter have you show him what it actually does when you leave the blade guard off and hit a knot or kickback?

the way the plot threads stayed fresh in my head" is exactly it, but here's a weird thing I noticed. When I binge, I actually get way more attached to minor characters because I see them more often without forgetting their names or roles between weeks. Like, on weekly shows I'd be like "who is that guy again?" and by the time I remembered, the episode was over. But binging makes every side character feel like part of the family, you know?