Triple Edged Chisels with quick change pre-sharpened cutting tips:
The Fleetwood Innovator chisel range is a beautifully crafted set of bevel edged chisels with a difference. They’re “Made in Sheffield” – Once the only assurance needed to know that a tool bought would be one that would last a lifetime. To honor this legacy every Fleetwood Innovator is made by hand to exacting standards and as a further tribute to the past every Innovator’s main blade has been “hallmark” stamped with the initials M.E.R.C. This stamp is not the first clue that the Innovator is different; more immediately apparent is the gold coloured (titanium plated) 3 sided cutter tip machine fitted into the cutting end of the chisel.
Making the Innovator the worlds first Triple Edged chisel
Unlike a conventional chisel that can only cut when being driven forward
The Triple Edge, sharpened sides and leading edge can cut in 3 different directions allowing:
The engineering behind M.E.R.C (M.Power Edge Ready Chisel) has also liberated us from the normal conventions that govern sharpening. In order to regain or freshen an edge there’s no having to stop work in the middle of a task; to set up a jig and sharpening stones, simply swap cutters, (it takes less than a minute) and return to the job at hand.
Design Features: We have attempted to consider every conceivable aspect of the “Fleetwood Innovator" range of Triple Edged woodworking chisels. Details of their design and production are detailed below.
Cutter insert socket: The machined recess that holds the cutters are cranked or dovetailed at the rear; so that the loads generated through impact are transferred directly from the cutter in-line to the chisel body and safely into the handle. Although it sounds unlikely the forces generated on the cutter retaining screws are low and only serve to hold the cutter in place when not in use.
Other Cutter Profiles: Unlike other bevel edged chisels, Innovator Triple Edged chisels are uniquely designed to accommodate a variety of different profiled cutters that are specifically designed to decrease the time taken in performing common tasks in all types of woodwork. Together with feedback from our professional product testers and customers, other unique profiled cutters will be added to a growing range It's important to reiterate that these cutters are far from disposable. When they do eventually loose their edge they can be re-sharpened at your leisure back at the shop, just not half way through a job you’re into.
Handle and Strike cap: Turned in English Beech wood with a smart brass ferrule The Innovator handle is strikingly traditional however dozens of proto-types and literally hundreds of hours resulted in a unique grip based on two main flats that lie parallel to the top and back of the chisel body. Unlike an entirely turned or symmetrical handle, The Fleetwood Innovator handle gives the woodworker an instant indication of the location or plane of the chisel blade. The handle is fitted with a turned and polished steel Strike Cap that’s tempered and hardened to Rc43. Allowing a heavy hammer to be used without fear of damage.
Finish: The vast majority of chisels are sold in a "ground" state, leaving hard edges anywhere that one edge converges on another. Although not sharp after a short while in use these hard edges become uncomfortable to grip. All MERC chisel bodies have high polish smooth finish that remains comfortable in the hand for longer.
Product Testing: Within 6 months of the initial design: Early “Innovator” proto types were tested for 100's of hours in closed shop environments. The testing and evaluation process has been exhaustive. Extreme tests were undertaken. A Prototype chisel was driven clean through a railway sleeper 12 times with no sign of any detrimental effect on the chisel.
The test results of Innovator Triple Edged chisel has given us the confidence to guarantee our chisels for life.
Manufacturing: At every stage of its production Fleetwood Innovators are assessed and quality checked. In Sheffield, England the main chisel body under goes 9 major processes in its manufacture. Its then quality checked prior too and after it's been assembled. Each chisel is issued with a Certificate of Authenticity which is signed by a staff member who assembled the chisel and by a different member of the team who carried out the final pre-packaging inspection.
If the opinions of woodworkers were sought, a number would probably tell you that they get by with what they’ve got. For those who wish to experience a chisel that’s born of the desire to truly surpass what’s been before. Then perhaps the “Fleetwood Innovator” is for you.
