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Blue Chip Redeaux

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Blue Chip Redeaux

#1

Blue Chip Redeaux

Todd Stock

>As an engineer, I'm embarrassed every time I look at the wasted opportunities for cost engineering of 'quality' handtools.

That said, I was heartened recently when I noted that Irwin has had Marples eliminate the final grinding step in Blue Chip chisel production. This results in a very nicely textured, non-slip surface on the metal, very much like what you get if you peel the surface layer off a corrugated cardboard box. While it does render the tool nearly impossible to sharpen past the prybar stage (without a few hours on the Al-Zr or diamond stone), the $.50 price drop makes it all worth while.

Make sure you drop Irwin a note and let them know how much you appreciate the production 'improvement.'

Re: Blue Chip Redeaux

#2

Re: Blue Chip Redeaux

Greg Sloop, Portland Oregon

>Hey, but they work better now for opening paint tins!

Ha!

Greg

Re: Blue Chip Redeaux

#3

Up until they chip, yes

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA

>There's a reason they're called Blue "Chip."

Re: Blue Chip Redeaux

#4

Re: Up until they chip, yes

Glenn Madsen

>Mine folded a corner, when one of my 'helpers' dropped the 1.5" chisel onto the concrete shop floor.

That's why he had the Marples chisel in his hand, rather than an LN...

Re: Blue Chip Redeaux

#5

Re: Blue Chip Redeaux

paul womack

>The manufacturers must be confused. First we tell Kirschen to stop finishing their chisels so much, noe we want Irwin to finish their chisels more.

Who'd have neanders for customers, eh?

BugBear

Re: Blue Chip Redeaux

#6

Redeaux? Wazzat?

Don Thompson - Cutler Ridge, Florida

>

Re: Blue Chip Redeaux

#7

Re: Redeaux? Wazzat?

Todd Stock

>...as in Re-Do; as in re-done wrong.

Re: Blue Chip Redeaux

#8

Re: Blue Chip Redeaux

Todd Stock

>Does seem like a bit of a mixed message, though I think that Irwin probably had things other than customer satisfaction in mind when they decided to skip final grinding. Other than the change in finishing, I've used a few of the Irwin BCs and they seem to have the same virtue/ and vice ratio as the older Marples tools.

Re: Blue Chip Redeaux

#9

Re: Redeaux? Wazzat?

William Duffield, on the Cohansey

>In English, I think it's spelled "redux", if that's what you mean?

I don't know the rules to form the plural in Latin or in French, but I know what you meant. Merriam-Webster says "redux" is an adjective, used postpositively, so nn English, even though it appears to be a noun, there is no need for a plural form, no matter how many times they messed it up.

Re: Blue Chip Redeaux

#10

I thought they called them that...

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

>Because you could'nt trade them for stamps;^)

Scott, dating himself again...

Re: Blue Chip Redeaux

#11

You need to get out more, Scott

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA

>

Re: Blue Chip Redeaux

#12

Irwin's not alone

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA

>I purchased a No. 78 iron from Stanley a couple of years ago, and the surface on the side opposite the bevel - the surface that, in combination with the bevel, forms the bevel - is rough enough to use for a file, if only it were harder.

Re: Blue Chip Redeaux

#13

Re: not a problem...

paul womack

>The steel on these plane irons and chisels is so soft that flattening the back takes little effort.

Of course, blunting the edge in use doesn't take long either ;-)

BugBear

Re: Blue Chip Redeaux

#14

Re: Blue Chip Redeaux

Don Thompson - Cutler Ridge, Florida

>Are these the new ones with the rubber handles? I think I have seen them in the Orange big box store. I will have to remember to warn buddies to steer clear of them.

Re: Blue Chip Redeaux

#15

Re: Redeaux? Wazzat?

Todd Stock

>Too much time in LA spent south of I-10...

If you understand that the words 'hamburger' and 'Schlumberger' sound nothing alike when spoken in the Oil Patch patois, you've probably tacked a few -eaux's onto otherwise innocent words. Although technically a 'doe' sound, we had bumper stickers a while back that that read 'Just Deaux It' - very funny to the Yankees living there, and just plain irritating to others.

Re: Blue Chip Redeaux

#16

Re: Redeaux? Wazzat?

William Duffield, on the Cohansey

>LOL! That would be Louisiana south of I-10, not Los Angeles, where several other dialects (and languages) are spoken? In either case, I have difficulties understanding them. I've driven the length of I-10, but only got south of it once (not counting pit stops and not counting FL), to visit New Orleans.

Are you planning to attend the PATINA sale and auction? If so, I hope to see you there.

Re: Blue Chip Redeaux

#17

Re: Redeaux? Wazzat?

Todd Stock

>I should be there, as well as Joe Rogers, so see you early for the tool-gating.

Thanks for asking.

Re: Blue Chip Redeaux

#18

Re: Redeaux? Wazzat?

Mike L in Trabuco Canyon, CA

>Thanks for the clarification William. I was scratching my head trying to figure out what L.A. (as opposed to LA) had to deaux with Oil Patch patois (whatever that is).

Cheers,

Mike

Re: Blue Chip Redeaux

#19

Re: Redeaux? Wazzat?

William Duffield, on the Cohansey

>I think patois means Louisiana French Creole dialect (you'll have to read Longfellow's Evangeline to appreciate this particular diaspora). Oil Patch has something to do with Gulf of Mexico salt domes and the resultant petroleum mining.

I recognized the French plural form, but having somehow forgotten that Todd was involved with the petroleum industry, I figured he meant re-redux instead of re-do or re-does. If he had specified DO FOR or DO UNTIL or DO WHILE, by the time he got to the END DO, it would have been clear.

Close only counts in Horseshoes and Hand grenades: My brother had a camp on the Tickfaw River, but upon studying my maps again, I find it is south of I-12 but north of I-10. When I visited, it sure looked like bayou country to me.

Re: Blue Chip Redeaux

#20

Re: Blue Chip Redeaux

Todd Stock

>Unfortunately, no. These are the standard BCs that have been decent begineer's and carpenter's tools since whenever.

Paul is correct re: hardness - I had thought that the backs would take a lot of time to flatten; however, the one new Irwin-branded tool I purchased for a friend (the last one I've seen with a decent grind), proved to be quite a bit softer than I had thought.

Anyway, it's no problem. PATINA is coming up, and I'll haul my bud up to Damascus to go hunting some 750s, etc. He's already slipped a bit (preferred my #8 for leveling his deck joists versus available hand-held power planer), and exposure to that much rust in one place will push him over the edge.

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