I have a few bowl gouges from different makers... A 5/8" Ellsworth from Lee Valley which I really like except it doesn't hold an edge as long as others (but I love the shape and it excels at shear scraping), Thompson V's in 3/8", 1/2" and 5/8", all on Thompson handles (my go to gouges), a 1/2" U Thompson and a P&N 5/8" Supa gouge.
I use the Thompson V's more than any other for a few reasons... I love the way they hold up, the flute shape works very well for me and in my hands, I cannot imagine a nicer handle. Simply put, there is no good reason for me change to anything else. The P&N was my first "good" gouge and it is wonderful. I just like the feel of the Thompsons more, mainly because the handle I made for it is really awful. I intend to dismount it soon and use it in the Thompson handles. I could never get the feel for the 1/2" U from Thompson. I think it is the flute shape and that I cannot put a decent point on the end like I can with the V flute.
I'm going to be contrarian on two points earlier. #1. I hate the idea of buying cheap tools to learn how to sharpen on. My goodness, sharpening is not rocket science and unless you are leaning the tool into the wheel, you are not going to waste a whole whack of steel. If you ARE leaning into it, STOP!!!!!!, back away and take up crocheting scarves and mittens. The other thing is that all brands have slightly different flute shapes which means you cannot sharpen them the same way as another. Therefore, once you get your "good" gouge, you need to start again anyway. So, what have you gained? #2. The idea of any turning tool being a "lifetime" tool is utter nonsense. Tools are a disposable, fact-of-life thing which will wear down and wear out. In this regard, they are no different than sandpaper...just another tool. If you really believe your gouge is going to last a lifetime, you are either dilliusional, you don't turn very much or you don't sharpen much and work with dull tools. Harsh? Perhaps but 10V steel from one maker or another is going to last only so long. 15V? I honestly have no idea but there is no research I have seen which makes me believe it is a lifetime tool. If it was, we wouldn't need grinders, would we?
Nova DVR XP, so-so Sears bandsaw, no-name grinder, a load of Thompson tools, growing pile of "design opportunities"