Any Marble's owners/pics?

hiwa

hiwa

Joined
Jun 7, 2009
Messages
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I discovered these knives have been around for quite a long time : even Horace Kephart liked them , from what I've read. Do any of you members own them , and if so, how are they in regards to steel (0176-C, I think ) , handling, and all the rest of it ? They look like good old-school bush knives.



Link:

http://www.marblesoutdoors.com/cutlery/woodcraft.html
 
I saw the Marbles factory about 12 years ago. Sorry no digital pic's.
 
0176-C is another name for 52100 which is awsome steel great edge retention very strong steel
 
hiwa said:
I discovered these knives have been around for quite a long time : even Horace Kephart liked them , from what I've read. Do any of you members own them , and if so, how are they in regards to steel (0176-C, I think ) , handling, and all the rest of it ? They look like good old-school bush knives.



Link:

http://www.marblesoutdoors.com/cutlery/woodcraft.html
Click to expand...


Yeah, you could say they've been around a while. :)

I like the older knives. Here's a shot of a 1940's Marbles Woodcraft and a recent model by the new owners' product from China. I'm told, but never bothered to check, that some of their models may still be high quality.

The 40's knife has a bakelite pommel, and had its tip broken, but holds a lovely edge.

MARBLESWoodcraft19432008.jpg
 
I have a few from about 10-15 years ago, when they were promoted as 52100. Several of their designs are classics whose performance has been proven by many decades of field use.

DancesWithKnives
 
I have one from the Mid-90s. Bought it up there in the UP while on vacation.

The only pics I have of it is just the blade itself. I did something silly, and took a chip out of it. So, they are before and after pics of me grinding it out.

Love the knife though. I just can't say I would buy one of their "new" ones.

IMG_5778.jpg


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B
 
The original factory in Gladstone is an hour and a half drive from my house.The older ones made there are great knives.If you can't find an original i would suggest either a Rapid River knifeworks or Bark River knife and tool.These are comparable in price and are quality hard use knives,IMHO
 
I stopped even looking at eBay since they mandated PayPal, but used-to-be, there were old Marbles blades there with some frequency. They were priced like collector blades most often. Don't know what it's like now. Might be worth a stroll.
 
Thanks for the response, fellas. It seems like the older ones are more desireable. ( ain't that usually the case , LOL !) If the newer stuff is made in China, I think I may look elsewhere , unless my searches turn up an older one.


Pete
 
My Marbles!
Not quite what you are talking about but what the heck Marbles hardly ever get any press around here.
vaughanandmarblessmall.jpg

China made Marbles small double bit.
I know some folks have had problems with this model but its worked fine for me so far.
Head is still tight and secure.
Sadly the fit and finish is light years ahead of the little Vaughan sitting next to it.

coldsteelsk5trailmasterandmarblestr.jpg

Marbles Trailmaker bought used (but near mint) on Ebay.
Don't know where it was made as i don't see a "made in........" on it anywhere.
Very solid chopper!

I have two old Western brand knives that are similar to the smaller Marbles.
I will try to take some pics this week.
And in my experience the old used Western knives go for a much cheaper price on ebay.
 
The Marbles Classic series is still made in the US and have non-stainless blades. The rubber handled ones are made in China and have blades of "420HC".

0170-6 should be similar to KaBar 1095 Cro Van. When hardened to 58HRC as the Marbles advertises, it should be an excellent blade steel.
 
Love me some Marble's.
Here's a couple of mine
3759904587_b3b3a1058f.jpg

The Stewart era and before are great knives. I haven't tried the newer stuff.
Later,
Iz
 
Sorry I don't have any pics handy but I've got a Marbles Woodcraft and Ideal, and am currently on the hunt for a Trailmaker at a good price. IMO the Marbles "Classic" series knifes (the ones still made in the US) are very good "users" with high quality fit and finish.

The Chinese made Marbles are, unfortunatly, another story. The Chinese Marbles I have handled were all very disappinting and the current production (i.e. Chinese-made) Marbles Axe I bought was a POS.
 
I'd like to get my paws on a Woodcraft , or plainsman with stacked leather. My best option is to order direct from the, since the CDN distributor states only to dealers.
 
3 Woodcrafts.
3MarblesWoodcraft.jpg


Standard Woodcraft with Buffalo handle/stag pommel, Mini-Woodcraft, Thin Blade Woodcraft. All three are specials/limited run/non-standard... what ever you want to call it ;)
You can see the difference in the blade thicknesses
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Thin and Mini
vestWood.gif

Buffalo with Stag
d2axwoodcanoe.jpg


Really knice knives if you can find them.
 
Here is my Marble's made sometime between 1912 and 1920.

IMG_0004.jpg
 
I believe the early Marble's were die-forged, probably from something like 1095. Good knives. For a period around the 1990's, when Mike Stewart was at Marble's, they used 52100 -- probably the best steel Marble's ever used. After Mike's era, they reverted to a high carbon steel that was very similar to 52100, akin to Carbon V, still a very good steel. They also introduced blades made in 420HC, probably from China:barf:. I don't think that the current high carbon steel Marble's knives are equivalent to the ones made by Mike Stewart in terms of fit and finish, and I wouldn't spend my money on 420HC blades made by any manufacturer other than Buck. Just my two cents.
 
Thanks Alberta Ed. That gives me good insight into some aspects of Marbles knives, and what to look out for. My first fixed blade (still have it) is a Solingen Bone handled hunter very similar to a Marbles. That's why I am attracted to them. I feel just as confident with those old blades at my side , as if I'm carrying the newer stuff.
 
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