I agree, a low angle block plane is one of the most useful hand planes there is. I have a good assortment of planes and I use all of mine. I am a woodworker as well as boat builder. Nothing comes close to being used as much as my block planes!

Nothing wrong with the new ones but I prefer the old ones. They are so much cheaper and I can spend a little time cleaning and tuning one up.

Regardless what you get you need to learn to keep it sharp. Sharp means you could shave with the blade! I struggled with hand planes till I got my hands on one that was tuned up and truly sharp. Then I understood how they should work and feel.