The Blue Spruce tools are stunning and incredibly well made.  I am sorely tempted by the dovetail backed skew chisels.  However, for actual working bench chisels, I'm not sure that I would spend that kind of money.  Here's a link to a very nice set of German made chisels similar to what I use on a daily basis.  They hold an edge well, sharpen easily and have served me faithfully for almost 20 years.

http://www.traditionalwoodworker.com/product_info.php/products_id/3819

I have a set of Lie-Nielsen's.  Much like I would be with a set of Blue Spruce's they sit in a box looking lovely, but don't get used much.

Edge retention is a highly subjective and completely over-rated evaluation of a chisel.  The first thing you have to accept about edge tools is that they are going to get dull and you have to be equipped and trained to sharpen them.  No, you don't want a chisel to get dull while making one cut, but to think that you're going to find some super duper tool steel that only has to be sharpened once a blue moon is folly.  Buy some good chisels and spend the difference between them and a set of museum pieces on some sharpening equipment.

I have a full set (10) of "Two Cherries" chisels from Germany which i use for my day to day use at the bench.  Superb chisels & not that expensive.  I also have a set of Lie-Neilson chisels which i keep for special jobs.  I prefer the Lie Neilsons but they are much more expensive.  The "Robert Sorby" chisels are also supposed to be excellent, but i don't have them.  The Ashley Iles is a nice set also.

http://www.craftsmanstudio.com/html_p/twocherrieschisels.htm
http://www.robert-sorby.co.uk/
http://www.getwoodworking.com/news/article.asp?a=978

Woodguy

I say buy what you really want, and never look back. 

As others have offered, it may be a good idea to look for a "user set" for everyday tasks, but it really depends on what type of work you do.  I wouldn't use a really nice chisel to cut a hinge mortise in an old door.  You never know when you will run into an unforeseen nail. 

I would suggest the Narex chisels (available at Highland Woodworking and Lee Valley), for an everyday set.  They rate well against the mid-to-high-range offerings, and are only about $60 for a set of 6.  The only complaint I have is that the edge tends to roll a little too easy when working with extremely hard woods (Lingum Vitae, Bubinga, etc), but have not had any issues with common domestic hardwoods. 

Make sure you develop a good sharpening technique, if you haven't already.  A Tomek is on my wish list, but I haven't taken the plunge yet.

I'd highly recommend the Blue Spruce Tools.

The LN's are made of A2 and need to be sharpened at 30 degrees whereas most traditional chisels are sharpened at 25 degrees.

I have a set of Eric Anton Berg chisels which are made in Sweden many, many years ago and really like them. If you can find a set on EBay or through a used dealer they are worth getting .

Dan Clermont

I have had the Narex chisels and a Work Sharp 3000 for about a month now. The combination works like a dream!!! I was VERY surprised with the level of sharpness that I am able to get...and maintain.

Rey

I ended up going with the Blue Spruce chisels.  I should have them next week and I will post pics once I get them.

I love the WS3000, I also have an old 10" Prairie Grinder - I use them on my two drawers full of mismatched, ancient cast steel chisels.

Really nice set.  They almost look to good to use    I  think it was these chisels that won the "best chisel" test in Furniture & Cabinatemaking magazine in the UK recently.

Look forward to seeing what these beauties produce 

Woodguy.

P.S - Are they expensive in the states.  They were by far the dearest in test here.

I used a different wood on the Mallet and Chisels so my order was a little more.. Total damages were $660.  It will be well worth it.  

Hi Woodguy, thanks for asking! She's beautiful, and called Daisy.  No doubt she'll give me heck in 15 years or so, but for now she's perfect!