Marbles 'Sport 99" Drop Point Hunter

Hammer67

Hammer67

Joined
Nov 9, 2012
Messages
9,760
I've been keeping my eye out for one of these for some time. Built during the height of Mike Sewart's time overseeing knife production @ Marbles, and 'approved' by R.W. Loveless. Last week, I found it - unused and with the original 'Bobcat" box and sheath. Still had a pretty good convex edge on it too! A little stropping and it was good to go.

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Better pics to come, and I'll probably be looking around for a sheath maker. This baby deserves some fancy pants. :D :thumbup:
 
I don't have much use for a fixed blade in my part of the world but that is a BEAUTIFUL knife!!!:thumbup::thumbup:
 
Thanks, all. I feel really fortunate to have come across this at the right time.

G - it's 7.75" OAL, with a 3.75" blade - 52100 steel. :thumbup:
 
Fine looking knife you got there..52100 is one of my favorite steels..Id proudly carry that as a hunting knife,anywhere....Id bet theres not alot you couldnt do with it................Fes
 
Gevonovich said:
Just a perfect size.
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Thanks, It really is the perfect size. In hand, you can tell that a lot of thought went into this design. :thumbup:

Bob W said:
Love it! :thumbup:
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Thanks, Bob!

festerfromnzed said:
Fine looking knife you got there..52100 is one of my favorite steels..Id proudly carry that as a hunting knife,anywhere....Id bet theres not alot you couldnt do with it................Fes
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Agreed about 52100 - its a great field steel. And yes - I can't wait to put it to use this fall!

Jack Black said:
Wow, great find :thumbup:
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Thanks, Jack. However, I think I've opened a scary Pandora's box - I'm currently looking at three other Marbles from the same era... :rolleyes: :D
 
Beauty, love that blade shape, congrats on the find!

I love how the stacked leather handles look on some of those Marbles knives, the wood is pretty handsome too.
 
Bullion said:
I love how the stacked leather handles look on some of those Marbles knives, the wood is pretty handsome too.
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Smithhammer said:
Thanks, Jack. However, I think I've opened a scary Pandora's box - I'm currently looking at three other Marbles from the same era... :rolleyes: :D
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Mine from that era has stacked leather, stag pommel, and a vintage "warehouse find" blade. Keep an eye open for these. Apparently the spacer pattern makes them easily distinguishable from true vintage Marbles knives.

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From the same time period, there was also a 2-knife set of "Depression Hunters," made with vintage blades and handle materials. I don't recall the number assembled, but they don't get mentioned around here often. You just might come across one during your shopping.
 
I highly approve of both Marbles knives shown here. Can someone point me toward the history of Marbles as it played out in recent years? I understand there was a bankruptcy in Autumn of 2009? How does the Chinese connection work?
 
tongueriver said:
I highly approve of both Marbles knives shown here. Can someone point me toward the history of Marbles as it played out in recent years? I understand there was a bankruptcy in Autumn of 2009? How does the Chinese connection work?
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As far as the recent history of the company goes, it can be summed up pretty simply - 2002 was the end of Marbles as a high quality, American-made knife company. Knives made up till then are definitely worth owning. Look for blade stamps that say "Gladstone, MI. USA" There are some that were made shortly after Stewart left the company that still said simply "USA" on them, but there has been a fair bit of doubt about the actual origins of those blades, from what I understand.

I'm sure there are others on this forum that are much more knowledgeable than I that can provide more detail. Also, if you do a search for "Marbles knife history" you'll find some more relevant info. :thumbup:

And Bob - that's a beauty! Stacked leather and a stag pommel is such a great combo.
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That's a treasure. I have a Fieldcraft and a Campcraft from Mike's era, both stacked leather grips, two of my finest blades. Gave another Campcraft to my BIL.
 
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