Love my 301s - would grab that in a fire/emergency type situation after the important papers file folder. I have a machine made in Occupied Japan that I love for mending DH's jeans (frequent job) that I absolutely love and both my Berninas. I have a 117L and a vintage 730. I have only ever sewn on 2 machines that I didn't like and suspect a lack of maintenance issue with one and a lack of knowledge on both mine and the owner's part for the 2nd machine.