TW, I agree. The quality of the Barr tools is awesome, both the steel and the workmanship. However, they just aren't shaped the way I like/am used to. How do your Japanese chisels hold up regarding chipping? It's always a trade-off. Japanese tools tend to run about 60-62 Rockwell, and American stuff around 58. I am always lapping the backs of my old chisels as I sharpen them. I figure a little at a time will keep the polished part advancing along as I use the tool. I don't think you use up much chisel, unless you're hitting a lot of hardware.