Thanks Ken,

I always wanted to try the Japanese chisels, but I think the best thing to do there would be to get a single chisel and play around with it. What you said is exactly what was keeping me from getting them, but I do see how they would be great for paring work. As for the sharpening supplies, I have a whole tool box dedicated solely to sharpening stuff- Pinnacle honing guide, Norton waterstones, flattening stone, Work Sharp powered sharpener, strops, diamond paste, lapping plates, yadda yadda yadda... I definately have the sharpening stuff. I think I played it right by getting quality sharpening tools and getting good at that before moving up to the higher end chisels. If anyone asked my advice that would be my recommendation. Before going up in quality, just learn to tune and sharpen the cheaper set and get the most out of it.

That said, now I have progressed in both my skill and in the difficulty of the work I am doing, so it is time to move up to a better chisel set. I am really leaning towards the Lie-Nielsen both out of brand respect and I like the length and heft. I was not really sold on the removable handles, as it seems they are going to get loose over time, but now I am actually thinking the removable handles give the option to replace them and keep going for years. I also like being able to switch to a long paring handle for specific jobs where a longer handle is more ideal. I am flexible on the $300.