Replies

1. 
   BilWil | Jan 15, 2007 06:20pm | #1

   I've used both and didn't notice a difference between the two, other than the handle of the LV's felt better to me, so that is what I'm using.

2. 
   AB | Jan 15, 2007 06:35pm | #2

   TWG, I have bought a couple of the Blue Chips by Irwin and I like them. They were easy to get the back flat, hold an edge well and are comfortable to use.
   If I had my wish the handles would be about 1&1/2" at the top and taper to the socket over a 3" span but you will not find many like that.
   AB

3. 
   Festool4 | Jan 15, 2007 06:49pm | #3

   Marples were much better than they are now. Once they moved to China, the quality went way down.

   I would take a serious look at those Narex chisels--I hear really good things about them. http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=49989&cat=1,41504,43500&ap=1

   Festool4

1. 
   ChipTam | Jan 15, 2007 07:55pm | #4

   I have a fairly complete set of the old boxwood Marples chisels which I purchased around 1980.  Two years ago I bought a set of the Marples Blue for my "bang-around" chisels.  Tell you the truth, I can't tell any difference in the quality of the steel (both vintages are pretty good).  Then again, the feel of the wood handles is much nicer.  Just my opinion.

   ChipTam 

1. 
   Festool4 | Jan 15, 2007 08:23pm | #5

   Mine are about two years old as well. It was around that time they  switched over to Irwin and started making them in China. There is a pretty big difference between the two.

1. 
   Rich14 | Jan 15, 2007 09:01pm | #6

   Well,

   I didn't know about the decline in this brand. This seems to be a parade any more.

   I have a set of Marples which I bought about 5 years ago. They hone nicely to a razor edge without any fuss. They keep an edge very well and will outlast me, easily.

   Maybe I'll buy one new one and compare the performance.

   Rich

2. 
   AB | Jan 15, 2007 10:06pm | #7

   My Irwin Blue Chips were made in England.

1. 
   Festool4 | Jan 15, 2007 11:55pm | #8

   As were mine...  Of course, Santa brought me Japanese chisels so I will not have much use from them anymore...

   Festool4

2. 
   wiskytango | Jan 16, 2007 06:43am | #9

   Mine also have a made in england stamp on them. Just got them for christmas and was able to get a nice glassy edge on them in no time at all. Haven't put them to very much wood as of yet but the little i have they seem pretty good.

4. 
   Garry | Jan 16, 2007 05:11pm | #10

   I dislike those plastic handles om my Irwins.

   http://www.superwoodworks.com

1. 
   dougmeyer | Jan 16, 2007 09:37pm | #11

   I wonder how much of this is actual difference vs what you are used to? I grew up in the time of plastic everything and the handles on the Blues do not cause me much thought one way or the other. But then again I have never used a wood handeled chisel. And while I will concede that the feel of wood is superior to plastic I am not sure it really is noticeable to me.   I wonder if this is because I have always used plastic so I am use to plastic where someone that was using wood and went to plastic may find an issue.  I know my father likes wood screw drivers and I prefer a nice plastic one (a good one not a cheep one)

   So it this because I have never really used a wood handled chisel? I really don't know.   

   I have an idea in order to conduct a scientific study I think that someone needs to give me a nice set of wood handled chisels that I can use for say 15 or 20 years so I can conduct this test. Any takers?  :)

   Doug Meyer

1. 
   Garry | Jan 16, 2007 10:20pm | #12

   My dislike is not nessarily the plastic, it isjust that the plastic is so smooth that it makes the chisels hard to hang onto wtih dry hands. The shape at the top of the handle is much too domed for my liking. Just not comfortable for me.http://www.superwoodworks.com

1. 
   dougmeyer | Jan 17, 2007 07:54pm | #13

   I guess that makes sence. I know a lot of peaple do not like plastic, I just have never worked with anything else so i was wondering what I am missing. I have used other wood handeld tools just not Chises.  And i do like the feel of wood. I just am at a point that I can't justify spending big bucks on Chisels just so I can have wood handles, when the Blues do what I ask of them very well. (Not sure about the current ones but these say made in England someplace on them)

   Doug Meyer