I was wondering if the high prices for turning tools, such as Thompson, carter and sons...etc, worth the high price? I have been using crown cryo and pro pm gouges at a much lower price, and I'm not sure I see much of a difference (I have one Thompson). They have to be sharpened at the same intervals, and I believe the pro pm gouge actually gets a sharper more durable edge (sharpened on a tormek with a 600 diamond wheel). I of course like to buy American, but my pocketbook is usually full of cobwebs.