Just to add to the discussion and give a comparison to quality western counterparts. I have quite a few nomis (oire, mukomachinomi, and mentori usunomi) from Stan's blacksmith(s). They sharpen easier than my PM-V11 chisels and have a notably finer edge in my experience -- not that the Veritas chisels are lacking. They (PM-V11) will almost certainly take a bit more abuse.