Sgian Dubh
"Japanese users and warren are the only ones I can think of who have actually consumed irons.

David, you can add me to that list. I have one smoothing plane that I am now on my third iron. Admittedly, when I purchased it second hand in the early to mid 1970s (probably - might have been earlier) the iron was perhaps half to 2/3 worn out. It was replaced in the early '80s, and again sometime around 2003 or 2004. There's plenty of metal of this iron left, but that's likely because in 2003 my work focus moved over primarily to teaching, thus I spent, and still spend, considerably less time bashing bits of wood about at the workbench.

As to the steel debate, I'm sorry, but I can't think I have anything useful to contribute. I just sharpen whatever tool steel comes in front of me and use it until it needs sharpening again; I never have taken much notice of what type of steel it may be, but then I'm basically a straightforward utilitarian sharp'n'go type myself, ha, ha. Slainte.