I'm going to add some questions and maybe you guys can help.

Is there likely to be any significant difference in tube quality between mid-90's True Temper OX and the current 4130 that companies like Surly and Handsome are using? I ask this because the Handsome Devil is close to what I'm looking for (73/73 angles with 45mm rake fork yielding trail of about 60) and it's made of "4130 cro moly". However, a guy on the commuter section said he had a Handsome Devil and got rid of it because it was too heavy in weight and handling. I thought the Devil was the frame for me but his comments give me pause. I don't mind weight because I'm a super clydesdale but I want more nimble handling. Now, he might be comparing that bike to a carbon road bike or maybe the 4130 they are using actually is heavier. I can get to the same place by having the custom fork made for my True Temper OX bike and the fork plus new paint would be maybe $100 less than the new frame, but it would still be a 17 year old frame.

Is a mid-90's True Temper OX frame in any way "better" than a new "4130 cro moly" frame?

Basically my decision has come down to this. Aside from head angle and fork rake, the two bikes are very similar in geometry.

I assume that mid-90's True Temper OX is NOT the same as the highly regarded OX platinum that is available now.