Just one final note about the aspects of cannibalizing your hench's goodies...
I've always looked at it this way, RP-wise...
If the hench in question is going to be accompanying your PC throughout the trials and tribulations yet to come, well, it only makes sense that you would equip them with the best possible rig to do battle, right? So in that case, even if their original equipment is redeemed for gold, they are most likely going to prosper by the sweet gear their loving master furnishes to them in time. "Temporary inconvenience, permanent improvement. " (and I know of no hench that is able to talk Rizolvir into doing anything!)
On the other hand, if a hench is going to spend its time warming a bench in a pub or temple, of what possible use could a stash of primo gear hold for them? Ummm, sentimental value, perhaps? Naturally, if later on, your PC recants that hench's usefulness, that same hench will once again receive a huge payoff for their temporary contribution to "the cause".
The difference between a hench and an actual died-in-the-wool party member, is that cohorts are always more than willing to offer at least a temporary cash advancement to their cooperatives. So, in that case, "adopted" goods never becomes part of the survival equation.
Then again, that "pang" you feel may be a result of a much deeper emotional symptom than just RP-ing a video game. At least that's what Freud would say.
'> What did the philospher theorize? "It's only a crime if YOU feel it is."
