joelmoskowitz
I collect and use Norris's and Bedrocks. Some are superb. Some suck. The finest single planes I have used were wooden planes by Clark & Williams. I have have gotten superb performance from the one Japanese plane I have.

If I had to make any rule of thumb it would be that fit and finish (and iron bedding) are far more important in determining plane performance than weight or material.

By that rule the reason planes by all the premium makers work so well is that they are well made.

There are many reasons to use one style of plane other another, and within a specific maker there are ranges of quality. Some like it light, some like it heavy. Some like it pretty and some like low maintenance.