I don't really go ga-ga over any particular way of joining tubes, - but I do have my preference. I could also argue to do a good job using fillet brazing or internal lugs requires more craftsmanship than standard lugs. My real reason for the initial post though was to say that in my opinion fancy lugs aren't worth breaking that bank for if that's part of what makes a Riv appealing to you. It's just another way of joining two tubes together. It's one that we've been conditioned to associate with classic bikes because back in the day it was the cheap and easy way to do it. Some pretty non-remarkable bikes used the same method. If you're looking for artistic flourish then I think having a custom head badge made would save you a lot of money and make the bike truly unique.

Somewhere on the Rivendell site it talks about lugs vs TIG welds and says that the Riv lugs are designed by them and won't be found on any other bikes. So that in 40 years or whatever the bike can be still be identified as a Riv regardless of what happens to the paint or the head badge. To me that's trying to sell you based on the name rather than on the virtues of the bike itself.

Anyway, if it's not a big deal to you to drop a couple grand or more on a bike and you find a Riv appealing, by all means get one. They're nice bikes. But there are plenty of bikes that will serve you just as well for 1/2 the price. They may not have fancy lugs but in my opinion, lugs alone do not add much if any appeal to a Rivendell.