Cliff, how about this?

Joined
Feb 4, 1999
Messages
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Cliff, I would like to see a matchup between a couple of large knives. I am thinking in particular of a 15-16" OAL HI khukuri and the large (15.5" OAL, I think) Marble's Trailmaker. It would make for a goo comparison. The HI has a hidden tang is 3/8" thick probably, and has differentially hardened 5160 steel. The Marble's has similar langth, the same type of tang, and is 5160 that has been taken to a uniform temper. Any possibility? The Marble's looks like a heck of a bowie style trail knife. There looks to be one in my future, hopefully!

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Pardon me, Chiro--
Couldn't help but grin, seeing Cliff's moniker reduced to first name only, with no doubt who you mean. Kind of like "Michael" or "Tiger" or "Garth".
Only thing, I'm not too sure that's his real name. I mean, it's a little too good to be real don't you think? Cliff--a high threshhold met, before Stamp--a mark of approval. Appropriate, nonetheless.

Probably even better than my pet name for him: OB1 (First Oracle of Blades)
 
So you guys want to know the true story about Cliff?: Well he used to work as a mechanic in a large oauto repair shop. It lasted for about a year and the shop owner had to fire hime. It seems that Cliff would only repair cars the way he knew how to and that was with a 10 pound sledge. The cars usually started working for a while probably due to fear from the sledge and would break eventually. People started complaining that they were getting very cold air through the firewall of their cars(the cold northern winds). It was only the spots were Cliff had missed his mark and gone through the firewall.

Well, one day while sitting at home, mid day, drinking beers. a buddy came over and said; "check this new custom $2000 bowie I just bought. The maker says it's unbreakable"........Cliff Stamp was born.
 
Chiro, were did you see the site with Marbles knives? I was looking for them to get a look.
 
Cobalt, the best prices I have seen are at http://www.bullmancutlery.com . Bruce always seems to have the best prices! What a guy! Anyway, the Marble's line is all 52100 steel except for the Trailmaker, which is 5160.

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My Knife & Sheath Pages:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/frames.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
Sheath Makers Referral Directory
agocs_s@dd.palmer.edu
Madpoet (Mel Sorg, Jr.) Tribute page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/madpoet/main.html
 
Chiro, I don't see me buying one for several reasons. First off the tip looks weak and the forward guard uncomfortable. There is no index finger cutout, and I don't like the handle options for durability reasons. I would also prefer if the grip was angled relative to the blade, had more swell and included a butt-hook. However I would be interested in handling one to see what the performance of the steel was like and would guess that it is quite likely a direct improvement over the Trailmaster by CS.

Cobalt, the 10 lbs sledge was for precision work, you can't do serious repairs with a hammer that small.

-Cliff
 
I don't know if stag or stacked leather are that much less durable than the wood or horn that HI uses, do you think? Also, I read in TK that an Internet company has an exclusive on a black linen Micarta handled version. I haven't seen one in person yet to have made the judgments you have. Hopefully I'll get a chance to handle one at the Badger knife show this weekend...

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My Knife & Sheath Pages:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/frames.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
Sheath Makers Referral Directory
agocs_s@dd.palmer.edu
Madpoet (Mel Sorg, Jr.) Tribute page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/madpoet/main.html
 
They look like good knives. I was really looking into these a year ago, but when I heard about the busse basics, i put all on hold.

These knives seem pretty expensive. Are the discounts on the 10 incher really good, Chiro? I think a good value would be near $100 for these.

Also, the blade appears to be flat ground which will give it less material than some competitors. CS also is, but the CS is also 5/16 inch thick. Is the Marbles 5/16 inch thick or the more typical 1/4 inch thick. If so, lateral toughness may become a factor. These knives look a lot like the Ontario survival bowie, which is relatively weak compared to other bowies. A micarta slabbed version. I remeber those being saold somewere and they looked good also.
 
Chiro,
Marble's offers a semi-custom shop and will handle their knives in any material you select. This is all for a very nominal fee. They will also do double guards, Scagel type guards and a few other things. Your local dealer can order you one to fit your needs. I have seen some Marble's handled in green linen Micarta and they look very good indeed.

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It's only a mistake if you fail to learn from it!
 
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