Originally Posted by
David Weaver
2 1/2" blades aren't uncommon. Check ebay. The only modern repros that I know of are parallel irons for infill planes, and that's something you don't want.
You should be able to find a good vintage blade for 10 or 20 bucks.
Try the oven trick, but don't be surprised if the iron is junk no matter what. If you've gotten your iron out of the oven around 400 degrees or more and it's a nice very apparent straw temper and it's still chippy like that, it will be junk.
Agree 100% with Mr. Weaver. No sense in scrapping the blade until you've given it the ol' oven treatment.
Your endgrain is like your bellybutton. Yes, I know you have it. No, I don't want to see it.