Veritas Low Angle Smoothing Plane blades available in either O1 or PM-V11 tool steel. In a nutshell, O1 steel is easy to hone and a very fine edge achieved relatively quickly. For fine finishing or the pure pleasure of working with the very sharpest of tools go for this O1 option. The PM-V11 blade is the result of two years of research and testing by Veritas. The PM refers to a process known as powder metallurgy. It involves atomising molten metals, cooling and hardening the powder, finally heating it under pressure to form an ingot. PM-V11 is a specific mixture of metals combined into a unique alloy. The resulting steel has a very fine, uniform grain structure. It is inherently more durable than steels produced using ordinary manufacturing processes. Blades made from PM-V11 are highly resistant to dulling or damage from wear and impact. These blades can take a keen edge and hold it through extended use. PM-V11 is as easy to sharpen as A2 tool steel using water stones or other common sharpening methods. Testing showed that a PM-V11 blade edge lasts at least twice as long in use as an A2 blade. Made in Canada.