Customer Reviews

Marples M444/SB6 6-Piece Blue Chip Bench Chisel Set

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

These chisels are a great value for the money. The other reviewers are correct, these are easy to sharpen and they do hold an edge fairly well. The handles feel extremely cheap, but I have been using a rubber hammer to strike the handles with and they are holding up fine. Looks can be deceiving I guess. I do like the shape of these handles better than a perfectly round handle. The box is cheaply made, but sturdy enough, and it does a great job of protecting the chisels from the hazards of shop life. I recommend these chisels as a good buy, well worth the money.

These are my first set of chisels - I don't know how much I'll use them, so I want to keep the purchase cost reasonable. They arrived with an o.k. edge, but needed a little cleanup. The handles feel really solid. As for the box, well I really like to keep my stuff organized, so I like to get promo sets that come with cases - but this box was pretty [...]...The clasp on the front doesn't latch and the inside is just a flimsy molded polystyrene insert(same plastic they make disposable cold drink cups out of). I recommend getting one of the other sets without the box and either hanging them on pegboard or putting them in a toolbox drawer.

Don't be fooled. This chisels are not worth their price. I was given a set two years ago. I never used them until three months ago. I was using my old reliable set. I took this chisels out of the box and went to hone them. Come to find out, the still is severly deformed. The facets are totally out of place and you can not get a smooth bevel on them---There's NO WAY you could double bevel these. I reground them myself to as square as possible. No sooner than I did that, the half inch chisel started breaking the corners! I did not blue the steel as I use a Tormek sharpening system. Plus, I was using them without a mallet---by hand! Cheap metal, cheap craftsmanship, poor quality!

Alex Leslie is right . These are very nice chisels. Maybe a tad nicer than the regular stanley version. I like the longer blades on these . They feel good in your hand with the comfortable handles. They are easy to sharpen and hold an edge pretty well. Japanese white or blue steel chisels blow them away , but you won't find them here and they are very expensive. These are very affordable and I'm not so worried about preserving them. Go ahead and beat them with a hammer. It won't hurt them. The blue handles are tougher than they look . They are also lighter than the clear yellow resin handles we are all used to.

These chisels (now branded as IRWIN , not Marples) are a great value. They require flattening, as all chisels do; they will not serve you right out of the box. Be sure you understand the process and flatten, sharpen and hone your chisels properly and I believe you'll find these a perfectly servicable set. There is certainly better: another reviewer mentioned Lie-Nielson which is like comparinga Ford to a Bentley. They are in another class and are priced accordingly. For the price I don't believe you'll find better. I purchased mine sans box, so I can't comment on that, but at this price the box should be considered a bonus and shouldn't really figure into your decision at all.

I agree with the reviewer below that these chisels are a good value. Using the Veritas sharpening jig and flat Arkansas stones, I have been able to get a good edge on these chisels. Like most chisels, they will require sharpening out of the box to get a truly sharp edge. These are not high quality Japanese woodworking chisels (which cost about three times as much), but properly sharpened they will be serviceable for all but the most demanding woodworkers.

I purchased a set of these chisels and I wish I hadn't. They are very poorly machined and the metal is very weak. I am seriously thinking about taking all six chisels and throwing them in the trash, box and all. They are no where close to being flat on the back. And to be honest there just not worth the two hours or better you will take to lap the back. Anyone thinking of bying these chisels should just save there money. I here Lie-Neilsen is comeing out with high quailty set. For all of those people(myself included) a word of advice, don't by cheap tools save your money and by somthing that will last. It will be cheaper in the long run!

This is a pretty decent set of chisels for the money. They come with a protective wooden case and plastic tip guards. Are there better chisels on the market? Yes, but you'll pay considerably more for them.

As is common practice with chisels and plane irons, it's necessary to remove the machining marks from the flat side of the blade. Unless this is done, you will be unable to obtain a really sharp edge.

I spent a total of about 4 hours working the flats and sharpening my set using the "scary sharp" system (a google search will explain this sharpening system). These chisels took an edge very well and have only required minor touch ups since.

I find the blue plastic handles comfortable and the mildly squared profile serves a very important function. It keeps your chisels from rolling off the workbench when you set them down. Nothing is more aggravating than having a chisel, that you've spent considerable time sharpening, roll off the bench and impact a concrete floor. DAMHIKT (don't ask me how I know this)

Bottom line. If you have to have the absolute very best, these chisels aren't for you. On the other hand, if you like a very usable tool at a decent price, you could do much worse.

BTW. Don't hit your chisels with a hammer. At most, light taps with a wooden mallet (and that shouldn't be necessary very often) will be all that is necessary if you keep them properly sharpened.

The chisels are of fine quality and came in a very nice wood case with protector tips for each chisel. I have always wanted a set just like this one but found them too expensive. This set was priced well within my budget. The only complaint I have is that the tips of each chisel could hae been finished a little better. There is a little extra metal from the grinding that should have been cleaned off. Otherwise, I am very satisfied with my purchase

The price makes this set an excellent value. The chisels come "sharpened" but they are not ready for use. Spend some time flattening the back and put a really sharp edge on these chisels. Substantial machine marks are present on the backs of these chisels and you'll need to spend a fair bit of time flattening the back. After that, it is smooth sailing. The chisels come with plastic edge protectors so the box is superfluous. But I kept it anyway to help organize my drawer. Also, the handles are surprisingly comfortable.