Irwin M444SB6N Blue Chip Bevel Edge Woodworking Chisel Set, 6-Piece (Box set)

by Irwin

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Irwin Industrial Tools M444/SB6N 1/4-Inch, 3/8-Inch, 1/2-Inch, 3/4-Inch, 1-Inch, and 1 1/4-inch chisels in a Boxed 6-Piece Set. Professionals who use chisels everyday know that edge retention is key to chisel performance. That is why Irwin Industrial Tools manufactures its chisels from solid-forged, high-carbon steel. For fine Woodworkers, Irwin Marples chisels remain the world standard, incorporating the advantages that have made them an industry-leading brand for close to 200 years.

Product Description

These bevel-edged chisels are hardened and tempered under controlled conditions and accurately ground for precise control. Handle is square with rounded corners for comfort and to prevent rolling. Chisel handles are made of indestructible polypropylene to withstand heavy mallet and hammer blows. Overall lengths 9-3/4"-11", blade lengths 3-1/2" to 4-1/4". These tools are factory ground and require honing before use. Boxed 6-piece set includes 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4", 1" and 1-1/4" widths.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 12.5 x 11 x 1.8 inches ; 3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000RG2Y56
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: M444/SB6N
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,253 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #10 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Hand Tools > Chisels > Wood Chisels

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Same ole Bule Chips, October 11, 2007

By 

R. G. Thomas (Salmon, Idano, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Irwin M444SB6N Blue Chip Bevel Edge Woodworking Chisel Set, 6-Piece (Box set) (Tools & Home Improvement)

The Marples Blue Chip was one of the best intermdiate level user chisels available for many years. I had a few doubts when I ordered this set, that the quality had survived the purchase of the line by Irwin.

After a quick bit of sharpening, to be sure the edge was sharp, I cut a few mortises with the 1/2-inch one. After cutting six mortises I accidentally cut myself with it. It was still sharp enough that the cut looked, felt, and bled, like one from a razor blade.

In conclusion, the only reason they don't earn a fifth star is that the blades are covered with a clear coating, which was a pain to remove so I could hone the backs. If I tried to hone the backs without removing it first it clogged up my stones. I know that the majority of users probably won't hone the back before they sharpen them, so for most people it won't be an issue.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Steel, Good price, and a few tips, December 16, 2010

By 

G. Conner "OldSchoolSkill" (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Irwin M444SB6N Blue Chip Bevel Edge Woodworking Chisel Set, 6-Piece (Box set) (Tools & Home Improvement)

If you are familiar with the old Marples line of chisels, you know they were very good serviceable edge-tools. This Irwin-brand line is basically the same. Like ALL new chisels, these require some honing and preparations before use.

features;
Instead of using chrome-vanadium, they wisely chose to retain the high-carbon tool steel. That means these chisels have fine grain structure in the steel, so they will take a fine edge. The socket design is VERY robust. These require more initial work to get them sharp, but once they are sharp, they perform very well. I like the soft handle too.

Two complaints I hear about these:
One, they will rust. True.
Two, the plastic coating is hard to remove from new chisels. Not if you know how!

It is a GOOD sign that these will rust! Why? Because that indicates they are made from real tool-steel, not that gummy chrome-vanadium stuff we see in home-stores.

Chrome helps keeps steel from rusting, just like in stainless steel, but it does not promote very sharp edges or edge-retention.

The plastic coating is there to protect the steel from rust during shipment, and as others here have noted, you have to get that OFF before you hone the chisels or else it will make a mess out of whatever sharpening abrasive you use.

No problem!
You can easily remove that plastic with a heat gun. Just point the heat gun at the plastic and keep it moving. The plastic curls up and scrapes off easily. You want to keep the heat gun on a low setting and keep the nozzle moving so you don't affect the steel's hardness. Don't worry. That's not likely to happen with a heat gun unless you hold it in place on the high-setting for 30 seconds or more. You can keep a bucket of ice water handy to cool the tool, just as you would if you were grinding. The combination of heat then rapid cooling makes that plastic film wrinkle and disintegrate so it comes off in seconds! A regular hair dryer also works. It is safer, but takes longer.

Also, i have used my old belt-sander to remove that plastic. It's easy and fast, but you have to know what your doing, so I don't recommend that unless you have some experience.

To protect against rust, wipe them down with camellia oil, then store them in the box with a camphor block or some camphor spirits. Even in my portable tool-box (that stays in a cold garage) this simple cheap treatment (about every six-months) keeps all my tools rust-free. My dad did the same things and his tools were perfect, even those that were over a hundred years old.

So, bottom line: these are a great beginners set at a reasonable price. The steel is good, will take a fine edge and you can take care of it easily & cheaply.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars DO NOT BE FOOLED - THESE ARE NOT MARPLES IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM, January 26, 2011

By 

P. Rudy "Adventure Traveler" (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Irwin M444SB6N Blue Chip Bevel Edge Woodworking Chisel Set, 6-Piece (Box set) (Tools & Home Improvement)

Irwin bought out Marples many years ago. For awhile, IRWIN kept the Marples Sheffield factory going and the chisels were then became known as "Irwin Marples." NO LONGER. Irwin has shut down all tool works in the UK and all its chisels are made in CHINA, using Chinese steel (your recycled dog food cans). If the tool does not say on the face: Made in Sheffield UK, then its Chinese made, Chinese steel.

FOR many years, the true Sheffield made, Sheffield steel Marples were known as a value in low end wood working chisels. They fairly easy to sharpen, took a good very good edge and the backs could be nicely flattened. They did not stay sharp tremendously long, but when sharp, they worked well. We strongly recommended them in our college woodworking program.

If you are looking for a set of bangers to notch out studs, fine. If you are a beginning woodworker, the cheap Chinese metal in these chisels will FRUSTRATE you to no end. You will work hard to sharpen, only to have the edge fold over on you when cutting out dovetails in maple. There are still some good value chisels out there: look for Footprint chisels, still made in Sheffield, as well as Narex from the Czech republic.