Bill Tindall, E.Tn.
This variable plus bevel angle could be what is leading to my low results. I have not been fussy about driving the plane into end grain.....at 30 degrees. I need to mend my ways I suspect.

Derek's order of edge life correlates near perfect with David's long grain results which we now know are largely a measure of abrasion resistance. I think Derek is challenging the blade with abrasion and I am subjecting my blade to both abrasion and toughness. When impact enters as a significant variable then we are testing like we would test a chisel. David's O-1 blade was made to have properties that would lead to exceptional chisel life- high hardness and high bevel angle.