Marbles Ideal and Woodcraft

the gimp

the gimp

Joined
Mar 19, 2003
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I have always been interested in both the Marbles Ideal and the Woodcraft models and wanted to know if any of the Wilderness section guys have had good experiences in the field with them.

I have a remote camping trip in the fall and though I usually bring a ton of knives to play with around camp I thought about picking up an Ideal as my everyday carry knife.
 
Both of the Marbles patterns mentioned have past the test of time.

I really like the Ideal as a large camp knife, not only does it work well, but the large fuller reminds me of the knives carried by the “old-timers” when I was a kid.





Big Mike

"Scaring the Tree Huggers."

Forest & Stream
 
For over 30 years anMarble's Ideal was my main camping knife. I never used it as a chopper, or to baton through logs -- that's not what it was designed to do. For general outdoors/camping chores it did everything I asked it too. Is it a "superknife"? No. But it was a good and relaible companion for decades. Even though I've replaced it with more modern designs and materials, I still would not hesitate to pick it up again as my main "go to" blade.

I may be prejudiced with regard to the Ideal, but it remains one of my favorite knives. And besides, it's just so elegant looking.
 
the gimp said:
I have always been interested in both the Marbles Ideal and the Woodcraft models and wanted to know if any of the Wilderness section guys have had good experiences in the field with them.
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Like others have said, these are patterns that have been around for a looong time, and that's becuase they work. Personally, I have always loved the looks of the Marbles Woodcraft and I've got one with the stacked leather handles. Its a nice size, good fit & finsih, and can do most of what I want a "camping" knife to do. Ignoring my personal bias, the Ideal is probably a slightly better design for stricktly camping. The Woodcrafter, with its deeply swept blade well suited to skinning chores, is probably at its best as a hunters knife.

WoodcraftLeather200.jpg
IdealLeather200.jpg


So, either one should provide fine service. I give the nod to the Woodcraft for hunters, and the Ideal for campers. ;)
 
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As I understand it, the Ideal is designed to easily cut through thick flesh - a knife designed specifically for hunters per Marble's ads at the time. The only two I have were found with the full guard, which gets in the way. Still, a light and elegant design.

The Woodcrafter is the "all-rounder," with some staright, some curve, and a point for boring - for "woodcraft." I have used the Kinfolks version (everyone copied the Wood craft as soon as they could.) because of its longer handle.
 
I have the woodcrafter. It was sent to me by Marbles after the head flew off my double bit hatchet. Nice people. Still new in the box and smells good. Feels good in the hand, blade very sharp. I am a hunter and I this this blade would perform well. Would agree with Thomas. Probably would use the heck out of it if I didn't have a Effingham Blackjack Trailguide. Similar qualities.
 
Loosearrow

Are you interested in selling the Woodcraft?

I think in the end I may end up buying both the Ideal and the Woodcraft as I can't make up my mind which one I like better. I think the Ideal will make a nice camp knife when I go up to Northern Maine this year and the Woodcraft will serve as a nice hunting knife when the weather is bit on the foul side and I'm not willing to take my Randall out.

Thanks for all the replies and input.
 
If you're gonna be doing much trap building or making bow and drill sets I'd go with the ideal. I have both and the ideal (at when I bough mine) is thicker stock and doesn't have as much distal taper so it drills with the point without breaking as easily. I have a wood craft I had to regrind because the point busted in puncky wood. It's suited more for skinning and hunting in my opinion.
Later,
Iz:thumbup:
 
the gimp said:
Loosearrow

Are you interested in selling the Woodcraft?

I think in the end I may end up buying both the Ideal and the Woodcraft as I can't make up my mind which one I like better. I think the Ideal will make a nice camp knife when I go up to Northern Maine this year and the Woodcraft will serve as a nice hunting knife when the weather is bit on the foul side and I'm not willing to take my Randall out.

Thanks for all the replies and input.[/QUOTE Selling the knife had never crossed my mind. When I picked it up it fit the hand well, knew I liked the stacked leather handle and the shape. The knife struck me as being longer in my hand than I had imagined. It was sharp and I would eventually like to give it a test drive. Thank you for the interest though. Appreciate the interest. Regards
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Dannyboy Leather said:
I have lots of good experiences and memories associated with Marble's knives. Hunting, fishing, camping in the 50's and 60's, I remember the Marble's knives were the most common knives with dedicated outdoorsmen in the Northwoods. Marble's was sort of like Winchester or Remington - everybody had at least one.

I still own several of the older Marble's knives, including the Ideal and Woodcraft mentioned. All are true classics. However, I personally prefer the 4-1/2" Plainsman (in 52-100) over the Ideal in the straight blades. Either will serve you just dandy, though, and a fine choice.

My very old Woodcraft.
marbleswoodcraft1.jpg
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Yup Dannyboy...that's the kit.

If someone is looking for a Marbles...try and get a Gladstone MI manufacture...not the newer China designs. Might have to go to eBay. I got a new one....and even though my old Woodcraft was purchased with a broken tip...for my money...the old knife makes the grade, the new one is just some industrial production product.

Haven't been to a knife show for years, but I suspect you could find one there. Really, a BIG difference.:thumbup:
 
I need to throw some junk up on ebay and make some cash to order both knives I think now. I will try and look for older versions but if not it will have to be the current USA production models. I'm going to order both the Ideal and the Woodcraft and maybe find a vintage matchsafe as well.

Thanks for the pictures and thoughts! Now I have something else to spend my money on :D


I notice a lot of the older Ideals have 6inch blades comapred to the newer models having a 4 and change lenght. Any prefernce?
 
Check out AG russell knives for a few Ideals, 4 1/2 - 8 inches in various handles.
 
Kismet said:
If someone is looking for a Marbles...try and get a Gladstone MI manufacture...not the newer China designs.
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Just a quick correction. While the Marbles folders and axes are being made in China, their "classic" fixed blades (including the Woodcraft and Ideal) are still made in the USA. According to their website, they are using "0170-6 high carbon chrome vanadium steel" which is a decent, if not premium, stainless steel.

That said, while I have never owned one, I would not be supprised if the carbon steel used in the older knives made for a better blade. ;)
 
mdauben said:
Just a quick correction. While the Marbles folders and axes are being made in China, their "classic" fixed blades (including the Woodcraft and Ideal) are still made in the USA. According to their website, they are using "0170-6 high carbon chrome vanadium steel" which is a decent, if not premium, stainless steel.

That said, while I have never owned one, I would not be supprised if the carbon steel used in the older knives made for a better blade. ;)
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0170-6 (AKA "50100-B") is a high-carbon "carbon steel," not "stainless." Not nearly enough Chromium to be "stainless." It will rust on exposure to water. Properly heat-treated it makes excellent knives.
 
Marbles Woodcraft safe grip knife...
made in China. Purchased 7/08.

Marbles Woodcraft stacked leather with bakelite pommel, made in Gladstone, MI, in 1940's.

Don't know what the site says, but the newer one is marked "China."

MARBLESWoodcraft19432008.jpg
 
Kismet said:
Marbles Woodcraft safe grip knife...
made in China. Purchased 7/08.
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Yeah, Woodcrafter Safegrip, not the classic Woodcrafter. Different handles, differnt steel, different makers. The original Woodcrafter (along with the Ideal, Fieldcraft, Plainsman, Sport, Trailmate and Trailmaker) are part of Marble's "Classic Series" of knives and are indeed still made in the USA. ;)
 
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