I heartily agree that “your intended target should determine your workflow,” and that you should strive to “work” as little as possible to get there.
Likewise, talk of “[photo-]realism” really are pointless. (Who ever said that “a photo” is “realism,” anyway? Certainly not a photographer who has a darkroom!)
But, this image does bring back fond memories of my grandfather, who was (among many other things …) a woodworker. The family carefully preserved his tools – and, with them, his legacy. So, I guess that your render definitely accomplished at least one purpose. No matter how exactly you did it, you did bring back: “my grandfather’s tool.”
My grandfather also had a saying which comes back to me here: “Good enough for Peace work.” (Of course, he worked in industry during World War 2.)
FYI: In the first theatrical release of Star Wars® Episode One, a crowd in the “podracer sequence” was actually represented by “colored Q-Tips.” The trick was revealed in a “Making Of” video, and of course the shot has since been replaced. But, no one noticed at the time. (Including me.)
Having fun is good… spending much life time on “unneeded” (?) things… a individual decision… ( if it make you happy )
My two cents…
You may split this into two subobjects… so you can even control the metalness of the different materials (since you wanted to go precise/realistic anyway)… you have already different mesh densities and needs for the roundes and the hard edged part…
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