Totally get that. I had an old brass lamp with cloth covered wire that just crumbled when I touched it. The insulation was like dusty thread, and the plug was that old brown bakelite. Felt so good to strip it all out and put new, safe wire in. Seeing it light up without flickering after was the best part.
Rewiring always seemed like pointless busywork to me. @the_fiona's tale of that crumbling lamp wire actually made it click how satisfying it could be. Now I see the appeal of getting something old and dangerous working safely again.