Hi Adam,
I would second the idea of finding a vintage Stanley plane and restoring it. I have done so with an old number 4 and am waiting for a number 5 to arrive in the mail. The number 4 turned out well, and is a nice tool. It cost less than 40 dollars total (purchase, shipping and restoration materials), and I have wound up with a tool that should last for 200 years if properly cared for. And as a plus, I now know how a hand plane is supposed to work and how to revive them, both of which in my opinion are necessary for craftsmen to know about their tools.
Best,
Joe