I began posting on this forum relatively recently. While I am a blended woodworker and use machines, most of the articles I have written have been about hand tools. For those unfamiliar with my
website, there are many reviews of hand tools (along with shop made tools, and hand tool-orientated furniture builds).
One of the reviews I completed in 2013 was comparing four different steels in chisels: Veritas PM-V11, Blue Spruce A2, Koyamaichi laminated White Steel, and vintage Stanley O1.
http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ToolRev...sCompared.html
The Koyamaichi beat out Veritas PM-V11, and these left the other two steels for dust.
I am not sure where one purchases Koyamaichi these days, but Veritas PM-V11 must rank among the absolute best steels for both plane and chisel blades.
I am also at pains to emphasise that a chisel is more than a blade. It has a handle and balance, and it must be comfortable to use. Every chisel is a different design, and one cannot make a decision simply on specifications. You must try them out. For example, when it comes to making dovetails, one of my favourite chisels is the Blue Spruce. In spite of their lower edge holding ability (compared to PM-V11), they take a very good edge. They are light and nimble with delicate thin blades , and are just wonderful to wield.
Regards from Perth
Derek