I am one of the old starkers whose thin frame hides strength and technique, and mind over matter overcome any gravity. I am also a baal kriah, and I treasure the old sefarim for the distinct ksav and layouts that have variations from today’s universalized ksav. In my semi retirement I lain as a spare in several places. One has only an old sefer, the klaf yellowed but beautiful ksav, the gallgalim are ebony with bronze backing, with embedded twisted gold wire,and studded with semi precious stones. The tops are some of the finest filigreed ivory I have seen.
One shtarker tale: I do not lower the sefer and lift by bending over the shulchan, that can damage the letters. I use the eitzim and gallgalin as levers when it is to heavy to lift up straight. I was honored one yomtov last with hgabaha for maftir and the etz broke off in my hand. With some help from the baal koreh, we managed a three column full circle hagbaha.