Marble's steel... change?

[Alberta Ed]

A while ago, the new management at Marble's abandoned my favorite high carbon steel, 52100, for a new 'improved' mystery steel they dubbed Alchemite. It didn't get too bad reviews but without knowing what they were using (D2? A2?) they lost me as a customer. But 'Alchemite' has now disappeared from the Marble's website (www.marblearms.com). Marble's Classic Series with leather, wood and stag handles is now made from "superior American made carbon steel." Does anyone know what this carbon steel is -- is it the same as 'Alchemite' or something like 1095? Marble's Safe Grip Series, incidentally, is now listed as using 420HC:barf: .

 

[made2cut]

My guess is that it is the Alchemite stuff. I had the hots for a new drop point Marbles a few weeks ago and decided to buy a new Sport model. When I got it the blade was badly angled to the left in relation to the handle. The finish work was not nearly as nice as my two other older Marbles and the blade was closer to flat ground rather than convex :barf: I sent it back to the dealer the next day. I ended up buying a Loveless model that was made a few years ago with the 52100 steel. I paid almost twice what the Sport cost but I'm very happy with it.