  The first detailed comparison of the low-momentum interaction V_{low k} with
G matrices is presented. We use overlaps to measure quantitatively the
similarity of shell-model matrix elements for different cutoffs and oscillator
frequencies. Over a wide range, all sets of V_{low k} matrix elements can be
approximately obtained from a universal set by a simple scaling. In an
oscillator mean-field approach, V_{low k} reproduces satisfactorily many
features of the single-particle and single-hole spectra on closed-shell nuclei,
in particular through remarkably good splittings between spin-orbit partners on
top of harmonic oscillator closures. The main deficiencies of pure two-nucleon
interactions are associated with binding energies and with the failure to
ensure magicity for the extruder-intruder closures. Here, calculations
including three-nucleon interactions are most needed. V_{low k} makes it
possible to define directly a meaningful unperturbed monopole Hamiltonian, for
which the inclusion of three-nucleon forces is tractable.
