MartinD With lofts trending downwards and shaft lengths edging upwards, that old 5-iron is probably pretty close to the 6-iron in a 'current model' set of irons...
If I buy new, I order special, the same way I build my own. +1/2", 2* flat. Gives me real close to 'older' irons.
It's not just the lengths and lofts that have changed. The head weights are much lighter also. So, you now are seeing a 6i head that weighs at least 6g. lighter (sometimes even more), 4* stronger (or more), while at the same time the OEM may have added a bit of length to what used to be a 37 1/2" club. And, using a lighter shaft. Maybe I'm just too old and dumb, but I do not 'get it'. At all.