david weaver
... rather than just responding to the first post, it looks like i'm squatting on my own thread if I do that (which I am, anyway).

But I gather the same thing from it. It's not something I need, but it's good for people who are new to buying tools.

And in terms of sharpening, if something really does hold an edge longer but sharpens as easily as something else, that's real improvement, and were I buying, I'd probably buy it - especially in a plane where you actually have to take the tool apart in some manner to get the iron out (be it wedge, lever cap, or whatever), unlike a chisel where working it over a stone is quick and easy. (granted we are talking about taking 2 or 3 minutes to sharpen something including tool fiddle time vs. 30 second to 1 minute max for a chisel).

I am also in the same boat as warren now, in that unless something is yard sale price, I won't buy anything where I don't know the composition of the steel. I don't think most people have that irk, though, and I understand why LV would pinch the data if they spent as much as they say they did fiddling with different steels. But personal rules are rules! I know what's in togo, blue steel, blue super, white #1, O1, etc.