Dewalt & Stanley FatMax Wood Chisel Set Made in England
- Thread starter winlinmac
- Start date
pendragon1998
Well-known member
AFAIK, Stanley makes their components in Mexico and assembles / does the final stuff in the UK on their chisels. I have some of the new Stanley sweetheart socket hisels which are made in that manner, and I have liked them a lot, but be aware, they are not the same as the old Sheffield England stuff.
Even the best chisels are worthless if you do not commit to learning how to sharpen them properly.
Even the best chisels are worthless if you do not commit to learning how to sharpen them properly.
4Kings
Well-known member
I bought the 4 piece set of these chisels after I "loaned out" my old Craftsman set to my son. I bought them specifically for diy work. I have some very nice Lie-Nielsen and some older Stanley Sweehearts and Bailey chisels I use for fine woodworking.
Out of the box these are serviceable, but you can make them better with a little honing. I did have 2 out of the 4 that weren't square, but again a little touch up can get rid of that.
For me, I wouldn't use them for fine work, they just aren't as nicely balanced as my other chisels, but for general diy/remodeling they work just fine, especially since they have a through tang and a steel striking plate.
I do have another option, especially if you want USA made, the Buck brand chisels that HD sells are very nice for the price. I needed a 2" chisel awhile back on bought one. I was impressed at the quality for the price.
Out of the box these are serviceable, but you can make them better with a little honing. I did have 2 out of the 4 that weren't square, but again a little touch up can get rid of that.
For me, I wouldn't use them for fine work, they just aren't as nicely balanced as my other chisels, but for general diy/remodeling they work just fine, especially since they have a through tang and a steel striking plate.
I do have another option, especially if you want USA made, the Buck brand chisels that HD sells are very nice for the price. I needed a 2" chisel awhile back on bought one. I was impressed at the quality for the price.
...so, looks like the blades are not made in the UK, is that correct? 
The COO can really be controversial at times. It should say Assembled in England. Perhaps the laws are different there then. Here in the USA, 80% of raw materials used to make something should be from within the states to be labeled as Made in USA
The COO can really be controversial at times. It should say Assembled in England. Perhaps the laws are different there then. Here in the USA, 80% of raw materials used to make something should be from within the states to be labeled as Made in USA
Upon checking today at Home Depot, I was able to verify the Dewalt states Assembled in England, whereas at Lowes, Stanley FatMax says Made in England, what to believe? Again, marketing rules. The metal used to be making a Snap On Ratchet could very well be originating from China, and that too of excellent grade metal (from China---raw materials).
Dave455
Well-known member
Marking a product as 'Made in England' if it isn't, is quite a serious offence in the U.K.
Even implying or suggesting it's made here, when it isn't, can be an offence!
A major clothing chain was heavily fined for selling a clothing range that 'suggested' it was Italian, when it was in fact made in India or somesuch!
There are numerous firms forging chisels here in the U.K, and most of them are pretty good, but If Stanley are among them I can only assume thst the work is outsourced since the old Stanley works in Sheffield stood empty last time I was there! Do they have another plant?
Is it feasible that Stanley manufacture them in the U.K. for the European market, and South America for the U.S. market? Quite a few firms do something similar!
Personally, I'd probably just buy a Robert Sorby, or Henry Taylor, or Ashley Iles chisel that I know is British made. Or if availability is better, a German made Kirschen or a Swiss Pfeil!
Even implying or suggesting it's made here, when it isn't, can be an offence!
A major clothing chain was heavily fined for selling a clothing range that 'suggested' it was Italian, when it was in fact made in India or somesuch!
There are numerous firms forging chisels here in the U.K, and most of them are pretty good, but If Stanley are among them I can only assume thst the work is outsourced since the old Stanley works in Sheffield stood empty last time I was there! Do they have another plant?
Is it feasible that Stanley manufacture them in the U.K. for the European market, and South America for the U.S. market? Quite a few firms do something similar!
Personally, I'd probably just buy a Robert Sorby, or Henry Taylor, or Ashley Iles chisel that I know is British made. Or if availability is better, a German made Kirschen or a Swiss Pfeil!
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The packaging label on the Dewalt Set stated, "Assembled in Sheffield, England," whereas the Stanley Four Piece Set packaged said, "Made in England." I can only assume perhaps in a different plant. However, both Stanley and Dewalt are similarly packaged and are the same price here in the USA. Could be an offense, someone would have to dig deeper it seems.
Perhaps
The handles may be actually made in England, its pure speculation. Would be great if someone can shed some more light on this. Some part of this was "made" England. Otherwise, how would it be possible for Stanley to label the set as Made in England?
The handles may be actually made in England, its pure speculation. Would be great if someone can shed some more light on this. Some part of this was "made" England. Otherwise, how would it be possible for Stanley to label the set as Made in England?