Rene Herse was much more than a framebuilder. He was also an engineer, a promoter and a believer.
When he believed in something, like aluminum components (in an all-steel era), he either made the parts or had them made.
same goes for front derailleurs
same for OS tubing
... etc. etc.
After he made something, he set out to test it and prove its strength and reliability.
Then he helped promote it .
He also beleived in the bike as a system, not just a set of components, so all his parts were designed for each other and for their intent.
This is harder to do on a touring bike carrying loads, day and night, than on a racing bike.
Between, Mike and Mark and Jan, the whole range is covered.
As far as finding a bike Built-by-Rene, I'm not sure there were many such animals.
Not for RH, not for Hetchins, not for Cinelli, Colnago or Masi.
There were always other builders in the picture.
So, if Mark decides to copy RH style & construction methods I don't see much difference between a Made-by-Dubois Herse or a Made-by-Nobillette Herse.
As far as materials choices go, RH made the best use of what was available at the time.
If he was alive today, in addition to steel he'd be using Titanium, Magnesium and CF if the application was right.
There are a handful of builders capable of copying or surpassing an RH frame today.
There aren't many who have gone to the trouble of making custom components, where necessary.
There are fewer who have gone to the trouble of testing anything other than race bikes.
If Mike and Mark can do this, and if VBQ or Adventure corps can come up with rigorous, repeatable tests,
they will be doing a service to the biking public in general, and to us collectors in particular.
If they can do even a small part, I say BRAVO !
Amir Avitzur
making GB fishmouth/spearpoint lug replicas in R"G Israel