Interesting comments about the Hegner. I love mine and have used one for years.
The comments about blade breakage got me wondering. I break very few blades but I cut thicker woods and typically with a #5 or rarely a #3. I wonder if blade breakage happens more often with smaller blades. Tension on these smaller blades is more finicky. Also, I tend to change blades when it starts to get dull as the accuracy when cutting thick woods becomes a problem.
Mechanically, there is almost nothing to go wrong with the Hegner. No bad bearings,no knocking sounds, no rebuilds and parts are available for old machines. A couple drops of oil every once in awhile is all that is needed.