interesting article.
I used to use Callaway X14 and also found them rubbish for pitching & chipping, especially half shots and tight lies.
I changed to Nike blades and initially I found the longer irons less forgiving but the shorter irons were excellent from day 1.
After a short while I can now state that even the longer irons are far superior.
On a tangent, I have now started to use Titleist Vokey spin milled 54 & 60 degree wedges......EXCELLENT contact to ball off all lies and INCREDIBLE SPIN.
So in summary, thick soled perimeter weighting on short irons did not suit me !