StarrettSteel Combination Square with Square Head - 6" Blade Length, Cast Iron Head, Hardened Steel, Reversible Lock Bolt, Scriber, 4R Graduation Type - C11H-6-4R

Starrett's 6" inch combination square is regarded by many as a the best on the market. I haven't evaluated any of the other high end squares, but to my mind it is nearly flawless. Why do I think this?It is square, not kinda' sorta' square if you hold it right. I mean square to the point where you can't detect any light between a machinist's reference block and the body or blade even with strong backlighting. Your eye can see light from a 0.001" opening so you know the square is at least this square.You can tighten the thumbwheel using only one hand to achieve the squareness described above.The numbers and lines are engraved so they don't wear off. The engravings are deep enough so that you can put the points of your dividers in them to accurately set the distance between the points.The satin finish on the blade makes it easy to read.The "4R" marking system (1/8, 1/16, 1/32 and 1/64) is more useful than you might realize. It cuts down errors due to misreading the scale and is faster.Reinserting the blade after removing it from the body is easy. On some squares, this is a major hassle. On the Starrett, the protrusion in the body which holds the blade generally stays in place when you remove the blade. If it gets misaligned with the slot, it is easy to rotate it back to parallel with the body so you can reinsert the blade. The spring holding the protrusion has the proper amount of stiffness.Another good thing is that it is rugged. I haven't hit it with a hammer or put a torch to it, but it has suffered a lot of drops onto a wooden floor without damage.Why don't I think it is perfect? It will rust (like almost all steel) if you don't take care of it. By taking care of it I mean storing it dry, free of salt from sweat, and dust. Not a big deal, but this is a precision square so treat it with the care it deserves.A wise man once said, "When you buy quality, you only cry once." Do yourself a favor and buy this square.

I had been thinking about this square for a while. Then, I received some unexpected Amazon credits and made the leap.First impression was "Wow, this is small...". Then, I used it. And used it again, And again, and again, etc. So damn handy, it lives in my apron pocket and just fits in my palm ready to measure.I have never had a ruler so legible. I was accustomed to readjusting for the light to read the markings of my other rulers. That is completely unnecessary with this one!Great weight and finish. I plan to pass this down to my son when he gets his own shop.

Purchased this with hesitation... $100 for a little 6" combination square??? OK fast forward 3 months, yeah it was a great purchase. Use this thing constantly, only downside I found was that it's too short for some measurements (obviously). So picked up the 12" version and am even happier with that one. The small 6" version's knurled lock can be finicky, comes loose at times if you don't really turn hard to lock it down. The 12" version locks more easily and the unit has a great "heft" to it. No doubt I overpaid for two combo squares, but I can tell already that these are going to be constantly on my workbench for many years to come.

This combo square is my most used tool in the shop. I use it on every single project and almost on every piece of wood. Is it worth the money? I would say it is given the amount I use it and how well it performs. It's simply perfect and sometimes you have to pay a bit more to get this best. I had three other combo square before I bought this one and I've never even thought about buying another since I picked it up, I think that speaks to how well it performs on a daily basis. Now I'm saving up for the 12" version to complete my layout kit.

I don't think there's any better combo square than a Starrett and this is probably one of their best. I tried the student square but ended up getting this so that I could have the satin finish on the blade. The student square was just too hard to read. I use it for woodworking. I know when I use this that my cuts are layed out square. I can easily read measurements with it. It will always lock down square. I also have a 12" version but wanted this one for the majority of my layouts and it fits in my shop apron. I don't think I'll ever have to buy another square again.

Tried out a PEC cosmetic 2nd version, but it's not near as legible as the Starrett due to the difference in finish and doesn't clamp due to being a cosmetic 2nd. This fits in my front pocket just fine and the slide is perfect. It is expensive, but I figure when it comes to layout tools, the finished result will never be better than my measurements. Even for a hobbyist, there's no reason to cope with hit or miss tools unless you build hit or miss projects. Harbor Freight for hammers and wrenches--Mitutoyo and Starrett for calipers and squares, respectively. (Starrett does cheaply outsource many of it's other products, but not it's combination squares)

Update:New Starrett square received today, and this one is properly made and operates smoothly. It’s a good thing too as I realized my grandfather’s near century old combination square is no longer square. I wanted to retire it for sentimental reasons, but it turns out there was a very practical reason to upgrade.I’d recommend buying this model, but with the proviso you may have to exchange the occasional item given the QC (which should simply not happen on a $100 square).Minus 2 stars for having to bother exchanging it. 5 stars if it was right the first time.———————Original review:The scale on this square is so miserably sticky that is is virtually unusable for its purpose. I have the 12" square and it's a work of art. I have no idea how the execution of this one went so horribly wrong. Exchanging in the vain hope that the next one is workable.Starrett, if you want me to pay 5X for American made (and I will), it needs to be worth it. This isn't even remotely worth it.

I always wanted a Starrett square and I finally made the plunge. I wish I would have done it sooner. Get the matte finish, it is very easy to read.