Marble's Knives are SWEET, and razor SHARP!

[maddog2020]

I'm not a good review writer, but here I go. A while back I picked up a new generation Marble's Trailmaker in 10" blade and was VERY impressed by the knife. Wicked sharp out of the box, and my only complaint was that the sheath leather needed to be thicker.

Since then I have purchased a Plainsman, and Fieldcraft - both with leather handles (old classic design which appeals to me). Both of these other two knives were even NICER than the large trailmaker. The leather sheaths were tanned nicely, and the thickness was perfect for the blade sizes. I use to think, how can any production knife be sharper than a Spyderco out of the box? Well, the Marple's fixed blades actually put the Spydie's to shame IMHO. I really look forward to using these knives this fall.

The fit and finish is VERY VERY Good, I am not going to say excellent, but you won't be disapppointed. The craftsman who made these knives showed a lot of care, and skill.

If you want a reasonably priced USER and abuser, these Marble's are for you! The Fieldcraft is the smallest, but my favorite size (dinky). I picked up the Plainsman by mistake, BUT it is a great medium sized all around knife (it was suppose to be a gift...but I may have to keep it). The BIG Traimaker can handle just about everything else

. Marple's of course sells a variety of other handles materials to accomodate everyone's palat. Check them out at:
http://www.marblearms.com/knives.html

Ray 'md2020'


[This message has been edited by maddog2020 (edited 20 September 1999).]

 

[Yvsa]

:
Maddog:
I bought the little larger version of your Fieldcraft,the Woodcraft and you're right.They are very nice.
The big Trailmaker is 5160 and if I remember right also zone hardened,but don't hold me to that.I could be wrong.
The Woodcraft I got is the 52100 steel and it is Tough!
I don't think it's too bad in the corrosion area,but it stains instantly.I think it's worse than the old ones made from 1095.A little Flitz brings it right back,but don't use the sttel wool on it,use a soft cloth.
I have one of the old "Ideal" Marbles.I bought it at a yard sale for $1.25.Original sheath and all.It had been stored in the sheath for probably 50 years and was etched from the old leather.It looks kinda like damascus.

The old thing will take and hold an edge incredibly well.
If the 52100 is anything at all it should be a lot better anyway in toughness,but I don't know.
Either way they are day-umed good knives.
Thier designs have stood the test of time.
I always wanted a Marbles Woodcraft when I was a boy.I finally got one.

------------------


>>>>---¥vsa---->®
Cornbread ain't s'possed ta be sweet!....Dagnabit gurl,whut did they teach you way up north in .... hehehe.

 

[JW]

I have an old Marbles 'ideal'. It was my grandfather's. I just contacted Marble Arms about reprofiling the old blade and they offered to regrind, refurbish, date range, and appraise this 100 year old knife for FREE. They told me they have a "lifetime" warranty that still applies.
This alone is reason enuff for me to consider another newer blade. I also like thier remake of the old 'belt axe'.
I wonder if any of the new 'upstart' manufacturors out there will be around in 100 years to back up thier product.

 

[tallwingedgoat]

Wow! This belongs in "The Good, Bad, Ugly Forum".

 

[Alberta Ed]

Just ordered a new Fieldcraft. Looking forward to trying 52100 on a whitetail this fall.

 

[maddog2020]

Yvsa, and Alberta Ed: I'm glad to hear that I am not the only one who has found these GEMS. For stock production fixed blades, the Marble's are wonderful. Now a days, all of the knife manufacturers are into the 'tactical folders'. There are a lot of hunters out there, or just folks who want a durable utility camp knife. It is about time some one came forward to fill a much desired niche.

JW: wow, I am impressed by Marble's offering to do that work on the '100 yr old knife'. That IS customer service!

Everytime I look at the Marple's, I am just looking for an excuse to buy another model

. My knives are DYING to be tested out on a nice WT Deer

- 2 more months to go.

Ray 'md2020'

 

[Yvsa]

:
Hmmmm.
I wonder if I sent my old Marbles in if they would just put the original edge back on it and give me a new scabbard.I would be willing to pay for that though.

It would be nice to have another scabbard with the Marbles logo on the snaps and leather.

The blade is 97 % original shape.The only thing that has really happened to the blade is where the leather etched it.I think it has earned that "look" and I wouldn't want to change it.The old stacked leather handle is black from age,but the handle is still very much usable for many years.

JW did you call,write or e-mail the company?
Thanks.
And Maddog,yes these have been the favorite for hunters and outdoorsmen since they started.
I would like to have one of thier saftey hatchets too.I should have bought one when A.G. Russell brought them out some time back.

------------------


>>>>---¥vsa---->®
Cornbread ain't s'possed ta be sweet!....Dagnabit gurl,whut did they teach you way up north in .... hehehe.

 

[Rick]

I have a Woodcraft and a Sport '99. Great steal with a heat treat to match. Great edge geometry too. My complaint lies with the handles. They are just too slippery for me. The guards are too small as well. Combine the two, and I worry about sliding up onto the edge. I understand the desire to follow the traditional pattens, but I'd like to see these blades with better handle ergonomics and non-slip materials.

 

[maddog2020]

Rick,

What material did you go with for handle materials? I figured that if my leather handles got too slippery, I could rough them up with some scotchbrite pads. You are right, the guards aren't all that large, but I still love them

.

Perhaps Marble's would consider users suggestions? Send some suggestions to:
Jason Stewart - Head knifemaker and Sales Manager of Marble's his e-mail is: marble@up.net

Ray 'md2020'

[This message has been edited by maddog2020 (edited 26 September 1999).]

 

[protoolman]

I just sent in an old woodcraft for polishing and sharpening. No Charge! Came back like new. This company is the best. I will definitely buy some of their new ones. I already bought a new one of theirs called the Scout. It was made from remaining old stock blades from the 50's it is probably the rarest Marble Knife ever due to low production. They never even cataloged it that I know of. Any offers?

 

[Kdarmy]

JW, I've got one too..given to me by my great Uncle(mint cond.) I'd think twice about sending it in to be worked on, unless you plan to put it into use any regrinding, polishing etc...will really hurt the value of a great old knife.
There are some more thought's on this on the "collectors coner" in the post...New Collector.



------------------
~Keith~
"War to the knife and knife to the hilt"



[This message has been edited by Kdarmy (edited 10 October 1999).]

 

[protoolman]

On the subject of refinishing. Generally guns as well as knives that are sent back to the original manufacturer for Factory refinishing are not hurt in value very much. Also used marble fieldcrafts usually sell for about 90 dollars and the cleaning and polishing is not excessive it just makes them look more like new. I was worried they would over polish and ruin mine so I didn't send in my best one. Now I'm going to send in my 3 generation family heirloom one. Marble's must be building the business on customer service. I trust them implicitly and will definitely buy some new knives and their camp axe when I get enough money.

 

[maddog2020]

The carving set needed to be sharpened, and I hadn't gotten around to it so I grabbed my 10" Marple's Trailmaker to cut up the beef roast

. It was like like cutting butter with a hot knife! Effortless!

I cleaned up the knife, and re-sheathed it quickly before my wife decided to wanted to use it for general kitchen duties. She is hard on all of the kitchen knives - she likes to cut thru food on top of stoneware, and ceramic plates. We must have at least 6 cutting boards all over the counter, but doesn't always use them

. I squirrel away my better knives

.


Ray 'md2020'

 

[johno]

Does anyone know what the thickness is on the different models ? The Bison was noted as being a bit over 0.20 inch thick, but I haven't been able to find any info on the others. The Plainsman looks attractive, well they all do, but so far I'd be inclined to get a Plainsman first. The Bison looks attractive too....

 

[TANGUS]

I've hear the rave reviews of Marble. One question? Does they have a smaller edition, say, like a bird and trout?

------------------

 

[TANGUS]

I've hear the rave reviews of Marble. One question? Does they have a smaller edition, say, like a bird and trout?

------------------

 

[NAN]

I second that! I recently got a Marbles from A.G. Russell. It was the limited edition one with the buffalo horn handle and the stag but cap. Aside from being really nice looking, it could shave the ass hair off a fly. I really haven't put it to work on any game yet, but deer season is rapidly approaching, and I plan on using it on that nice 10 pointer that will walk into my sights. Anyway there great knives, good luck!
-NAN-

 

[maddog2020]

Wooo Hooo - other Marble's Fan

Tangus,

The fieldcraft is a small skinner - 3.75" blade, and OAL is about 7.5". Slim knife with a very nice leather sheath. It could be used for small game and fish, but it wasn't designed as such. Take a peek: http://www.marblearms.com/knives.html#fieldcraft

Marple's has come out with a couple of new models recently: Sport 99 (very much like a Blackjack Woodsman

), and Expert II. They have some new pics at their website: http://www.marblearms.com/knives.html

Ray 'md2020'