Fallkniven or Marble's - Which would you choose

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Doug Selsor

Joined
Mar 5, 2001
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113
I just noticed that the new Fallkniven Bowie is in stock at Knifecenter. I had been thinking about a 10" Marble's Trailmaker, but this Fallkniven looks intriguing, though about $80 more.

Anyway, if you had to choose, which one would it be and why -- the Marble's in 5160, or the Fallkniven in laminated VG10/420J2?

Doug
 
No problem there. Marbles all the way. 5160 is going to be far more impact resitant than vg-10, and being a laminate does not protect it from edge damage.
I imagine the marbles ahs a thinner, high performance edge, based on the Marbles I own and the Fallknivens I have handled.
I really dislike the rubber handle on the Falllkniven as well.
For several reasons the MArbles is the stronger choice.

Chad
 
I have a Fallkniven S1, and the handle is alright, though I will "thin out" the edge somewhat for better slicing.
The "Thor" Bowie has the leather stacked handle. It looks like a very nice knife, IMHO.
 
Gotta go with the Fallkniven all the way. I have yet to see a Marbles that wasnt sloppily ground. The Fallkniven 10" bowie doesnt have a rubber handle either, but a leather washer handle instead. VG10 is much tougher than you might think.
 
Go with the Marbles, definitely:) I only own two but they are both well ground, have convex edges, and were extremely sharp NIB.

PS - My kids want me to put some smileys here

:p :) :confused: :cool: :barf: :eek: :rolleyes: :D
 
Two very different knives. Marbles knives are large razors with a razor thin edge and tip. Fallknivens are much tougher blades with thicker edges - but still reasonably thin - and strong tips. The Fallkniven is stainless the Marbles is not. I love my A1. I really like my 7" Trailmaker Gamegetter, as much as someone can like a big scary razor. Did I say Marbles are like big razors?
 
Here I gotta say that you must go with what works, and Marbles has a hell of a history! I own a few Falkniven pieces...and they are SWEET!!! But my old Marbles is an art piece unto itself.

Fill the 10" void with the Marbles...although the Falkkniven is most likely an awesome piece...you'll be extremely pleased with Marbles!

Steve in CT
 
I'd take the Marbles in a hearbeat.

I have nothing against Fallkniven, but a stainless steel chopper? No thanx.
 
Another Marbles vote here.., love the bladesteel!


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
If anyone is interested, Marble's Trailmakers with stacked leather handles are available from DLT Trading for $164 right now (9-22-02).
That price is substantially less than some other well-known internet dealers are asking.

I have ordered from DLT in the past and recieved the knives in less than one week. Those guys are fast, and seem to have more Marbles knives in stock and at lower prices than other internet dealers.
 
Would you chose this Marbles or Falkkniven over, say, a new Battle Rat or Mineral Mountain 10" bowie (3-4 to chose from)?

John in Boise
 
ichor,

Those are all good knives. I guess if someone wanted stainless steel they would pick the Fallkniven over the others. As for the Marbles, MMHW, and Battle Rat, any one should be a good choice. The only disadvantage for the MMHW is that you have to wait for Ted Frizzell to make it.

This is probably subjective, but I happen to like the traditional styling and handles on the Fallkniven and Marbles knives. You have to pay $50 extra to get a guard on the MMHW knives, and the Battle Rat has a rubber handle.
 
I would take the Marbles definitely, but then my love for them is common knowledge.:)

I agree that many of them are sloppily ground, Danbo, and I find that annoying too. But none of mine are sloppy enough to affect their performance, and I buy Marbles to use.

I wonder if the new Trailmakers are going to be 5160, or are they going to the new stuff, whatever it's called?
 
Coonskinner,

The Trailmaker is still being advertised as made from 5160. I think Marbles switched to their new steel to find a cheaper substitute for the 52100 steel, so the Trailmaker should remain the same.

Last I checked, there are still some 52100 knives for sale at DLT Trading at reasonable prices.

Doug,

If you decide on the Trailmaker, check out DLT Trading and save yourself $55.
 
The trailmaker will also use the new steel. I dont know how well it will work as a chopper but I had the chance to use a fieldcraft with the new steel on a S.C. whitetail this past weekend and it is an awsome performer. Im sure there are plenty of 5160 models left out there but dont let the new steel put you off.
 
Hello Rick,

I just checked the Marbles website but their ad for the Trailmaker does not say what steel is used. I have been ordering Marbles knives from DLT Trading, which has great prices and fast service, and their ad still says the Trailmaker is made from 5160. Of course, it could be that they still have older 5160 models in stock.

Regarding the new steel, awhile back I read Buzzbait's review of a Plainsman in the new steel. Right now I can't remember the details of that review, but as best I can recall Buzzbait wasn't jumping up and down and raving about the new stuff.
 
The latest monthly catalog I received from BRK listed both the old and new steel in the trailmaker. I assume once the 5160 is gone its gone.As for the performance of the new steel,on game, it is as good as anything I have used. Is is it as good as 52100, I dont know. I think with Marbles a lot can be said for their thin convex edges, they simply cut great.I will say that the QC is MUCH better on the newer knives.
I currently have a sport, plainsman and the fieldcraft, all with the new steel.With South Carolinas long, liberal deer season I will have the chance to use all 3 quite a bit. I will give a follow up review in january.
 
Certainly the Marble's steel (5160) will be appreciably more impact resistant than the VG-10. But ...

... don't be surprised to have a sloppily made Marble's show up ... probably better off if you can scrutinize the Marble's at a shop or show before buying and so you have a larger sample size to choose from. The two I have ordered over past couple years both had to be returned, so no more for me. One was sloppily ground, the other had a mediocre grind but had huge gaps on both sides of the blade-guard junction. Really poor. Best I remember that model had a stick tang and so the gap would have allowed all kinds of junk to migrate into the handle if I used it, and since Marble's aren't exactly "display" quality, they are users.

Fallkniven's QA/QC sure seems to be substantially better (think they are all made in Seki City).
 
. . . .you can get the "Loveless" Trailmaker at DLT trading. Only problem with it is the Loveless stamp on the blade. Marble's is not licensed to use it anymore so it will become collectable rather than a user.
 
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