Changes at Marbles

A

Alberta Ed

Joined
Jun 29, 1999
Messages
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Apparently there have been some significant changes at Marbles. They now offer two Blackie Collins-designed folders as well as their new hunter in some kind of stainless steel (allegedly high carbon, the usual vague gibberish when knife makers don't want to reveal what they are using). It also appears from the lack of specific information on their website that some of their traditional models are also in the new mystery stainless steel rather than their superb 52100 high carbon steel. They are also using CNC machinery, rather than grinding the blades by hand as was the case in the recent past. I have to say I'm glad I acquired three Marbles knives in 52100 before the 'improvements.' My Marbles all show slight irregularities that demonstrate that they were ground by hand. Guess my next 52100 blade will have to be a custom; I know it's not going to be another Marbles.
 
I feel like I've had the rug pulled out from under me. I just became a big fan of Marble's knives recently, just as their best stuff is fast disappearing. I just visited the revamped Marble's website. It appears to have been attacked by some horrible parasite that gobbles up personality, variety, and good taste. If this is what it takes for them to remain a viable business, then survival might well be over-rated. I guess I will also have to seek out a custom maker who offers a more palatable alternative in that old, traditional style. Very sad situation.
 
This is a major bummer. I love my Marbles, but the recent changes have left me very cold. The company is obviously crazy or in trouble, to slim down their unique offerings and enter a facet of the market with a billion competitors. It just doesn’t make any sense. With an almost endless number of folders to choose from, why would somebody take the chance on a Marbles folder made with genuine mystery steel?

Stick with what you do best. If that doesn’t work, do something you can do better than everybody else. Never do the same thing that everybody else is doing.
 
Guys,
I think you may be jumping the gun a bit.

FACT Marbles will still make knives from 52-100.
Just not all of them.

FACT Marbles is adding 440-C, apparently based on customer request.
Ya know, they are making knives for the general public, not Bladeforums members only. Stainless steel has its place.

FACT Marbles has always used automated grinding machines to pre-grind their knives before hand convex sharpening. They just never advertised that fact. Those irregularities you have seen in the past are just that, irregularities, AKA Poor QC. PS-Marble's grinding machinery is set up to "pre" convex grind their blades. No, this is not a fantasy, it is true.

FACT Marbles seems to have eliminated a lot of FAT from their line-up and reduced duplication in their line-up.

FACT Quality appears to be better than EVER at Marbles, based on the knives I saw at the SHOT show.

FACT The Blackie Collins safety folder is very well designed and will appeal to MANY people. I handled it at SHOT also, It is slick.It is also hand convex sharpened.

FACT Marbles has the best management for team for them to stay in business for the long haul, as opposed to the path they had been taking for the past several years.


If you want "special" runs, numerous variations on a theme, and ready-made collectibles, the new Marbles aint for you.
If you want the knife factory in gladstone to make it through the next 5 years, support their endeavors. It appears they will be turning out a quality product.
 
Hope you're right. Their website is rather vague on what steel will be used in what models, so maybe Marble's needs to do a better job of communication. I can live without special runs (although those are one of the things that made Marbles distinct from other makers), if they stick to 52100 and their excellent heat treatment of that steel.
 
I felt a little better after going to the website and checking it out. But I will miss the special runs.

On a brighter note, that Caper with jigged bone scales looks good.:)
 
FACT The Blackie Collins safety folder is very well designed and will appeal to MANY people. I handled it at SHOT also, It is slick.It is also hand convex sharpened.
Click to expand...

Well that's good to hear!!! It's about time that a production company had the cajones to do this!!! Thanks for the enlightening information.
 
The Blackie Collins folder does look good, and I am especially interested since it has the dual convex grind.
 
Does anyone know where pictures of this new folder may be seen?
 
That doesn't look too bad. I would like to see one up close. Does it use 440C?
 
The descriptions and specs leave a bit to be desired, to say the least.

I sent an email to Marbles asking what the specific steel was for the folders, and if they had a pocket clip, so I guess I'll wait to hear back...
 
The folders will be 440-C.
The lock is similar to the old Bolt-Action (very good lock) with a trick closing device, hence the "safety folder" name. The knife cannot be accidentally closed, but is brute strong.

The prototype had no clip. They should, IMHO.
 
Originally posted by Anthony Lombardo
If you want the knife factory in gladstone to make it through the next 5 years, support their endeavors.
Click to expand...
Support their endeavors?? I'm not their Mama, nor their sponsor, nor their cheerleader. I'm just a consumer, like most other people I know. I don't find much in their new lineup that appeals to me, so I'm afraid they can't count on much "support" from me. I doubt that they would be interested in supporting my "eneavors" either, and I don't blame them one bit. I guess we're both good capitalists! I certainly wish them well, but they are not on my list of charities.
 
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