Hi Stuie,
Not all agree (at least among western woodworkers) but among
wood carvers and joiners...nothing beats a gouge for removing wood from whence ye do not care for it to be...great choice for you intended application.
The topic of chisels nomi 鑿 in general is vast in nature. Of all the ones I have used (and few I have made) there is few (if any?) that can match the quality and refinement of the "tea house chiesles." These beautiful gouges, both in out and in canal, are among the finest ever made, with exacting specifications in "blue or white" steel. This post conversation could become lengthy in detail so I
should wait for other questions...?...
The type I would recommend would depend on the overall daily tasks you ask of it. To start I would look at the basic Gouge or Marunomi
丸鑿 and then we can go from there perhaps, as this then moves into all the different profiles and shapes. Soto maru nomi
外丸鑿 or Tea House Gouge sharpen like a flat chisel yet cut circles like a gouge...this is a must have tool for scribe work in "round to round" joinery. There is however many more carving chisels Chōkokunomi
彫刻鑿 to consider for the different applications you may seek.
Regards,
j
P.S. please note there are photo links to some of the kanji script above.