The Marples "Blue Chips".
When I travel and teach I bring along the Marples Blue Chips for students to use.
They are cheap(cost not quality) and take an incredible beating.
(I'd rather not tell you how many times they have taken a free fall to the floor. ;-)
But most importantly, they take and hold an edge fairly well.
They are definately a "step up" from the Marples
They have nice boxwood handles, and a great balance.
The best kept secret in fine chisels today IMO is the Sorby Pattern Makers Chisles.
They really are fantastic
When it came time for some Firmers I bought the Footprint "mortising" chisels.
I don't know why foorpront calls these Motising chisels beacsue they fit the specs of a Firmer rather than a Mortise.
But as Firmers they are great.
Left to Right:
A gift from a fellow Galoot rehandled in Walnut.
A Sorby 3/8" Mortising chisel (I'm going to get the copmplete set, but for now I only have the 3/8" ;-)
A Sorby #11 Veiner
A "SwissMade" detail gouge.