You would have to be out of your mind not to sell the those irons for $1,000. The new technology has advanced in a scary amount in recent years. But, with irons the technological advances can be numbered. In this day and age though, a brand new set of custom irons for yourself (runs around a grand) in my estimate, can take off as much as 33% of your handicap.

I agree with Tony.  Sell!!!   Demo some new irons first.   Guaruntee you'll hand deliver them and pick up the check. 

Yes golf clubs have advanced alot over the more recent years. they way there forged the or put together. Even the chemical make up of the clubs is diffrent. the groves are diffrent. Im sure any club manufacturor would be able to right you at least a 10 page report explaining the diffrences and what makes new clubs better. but heres the bread and butter. What makes you happy. if you are happy playing those older clubs then keep them. You cant put a price on happiness. but $1000.00 for those clubs. go look at ebay there going for less that a $100.  krap sell him yours and go on ebay and buy some more. or you could be the polite person and tell him he can get his own on ebay. hahahahha. but yea do what makes you feel better. keep them if its what you like.