Curt Putnam
Well, I'm the new-ish guy that needs good chisels. I'm highly tempted by the O1 chisels that Veritas has just released. But before I jump, I want to play with some LN and Blue Spruce chisels. I would throw some Japanese chisels into the mix but I don't think there are any stores stocking comparable brands within a 100 mile radius of LA (east & south quarters - not sure about Craftsman Studios.) Whenever it was pre-'06 that I tried the LN chisels I was unimpressed because they felt as they they were not there. Well, in those days, I thought I knew something. Now I know better. If LV shows up at WIA - Pasadena with their QR tail vise (Benchcrafted is a no-show) and the new chisels they could really damage my budget which is aimed at chisels and bench stuff for now.

Derek Cohen has said that the new steel is as easy to hone as is A2 and lasts about twice as long. That being the case, it seems to me to be foolishness to settle for something lesser for bench & mortise chisels. When the time comes that I decide to buy new plane blades (I am hugely impressed with the 2" O1 LV iron & CB) I will undoubtedly try the new steel.

I would not expect a wholesale adoption. There will be an initial rush - as for any new, long awaited product. Then there will be a slow, steady penetration over time unless something newer and better comes along.