It’s true I do like to buy old bonsai that used to have “better days”, and restore them to their former glory, I also work with rough stock, and turn it into bonsai. About the only thing I don’t do is srtart from seed or seedlings and grow them out.Yes. And there is nothing wrong with that.
I enjoy exploring the obscure and the unknown. I like understanding why. I know enough to know that the use of cut paste on pines and Akadama in your substrate is not magical and that it has nothing to do with why your trees are great. Your trees are great because they once were and you've become quite adept at returning them to their former glory.
@Frog had a question. I just tried to answer it. Then play along.
'til later ...