Marbles steel

L

logos

Joined
Nov 9, 2001
Messages
194
Will there be any way to distinguish between Marbles new steel and the
preferred old current stock.Thanks in advance.
 
I've heard rumors that Marbles may be using different colored spacers in the handles of these newer blades, but I really don't know. In lieu of that, it sounds like all the new blades will be ground from thinner stock, so telling the difference may be as simple as determining the blade thickness.

For those who haven't heard, our beloved Marbles company is under new management and they've announced they're replacing their much respected 52100 steel in favor of some new stain resistant mystery steel (Alchemite MC?!).

I've certainly never heard of Alchemite MC, and I suppose we shouldn't badmouth it until we know more, but it sure smells to me like the bean counters and marketing folks have ascended to a new level of prominence over at Marbles.

What a shame. Admittedly the QC at Marbles has been in need of some improvement lately, but the company was still able to maintain its market share by producing a very reasonably priced, workhorse of a knife out of a premium, time-tested steel that people weren't afraid to take out into the field and use hard.
 
I have recently been talking to Marble's concerning their switch to the new steel. I was told that the current Smokey Mountain Knifeworks catalogue was the first to feature blades with the new steel. The first batch is to be laser etched and subsequent runs will be deep stamped to distinguish the new steel. They should be available netwide by June.

I have nothing but good things to say about my recent conversation with Marble's. I was assured that while the switch to the new steel was viewed mainly as a cost cutting measure by those who knew, the new steel is actually MORE expensive than the 52-100! Doesn't sound like some cheap stainless to me as originally thought. The main reason for the switch was for the purpose of broadening the appeal of their knives to a wider audience. I guess not all of their customers are die hard blade fanatics like ourselves :cool: Increased resistance to corrosion and staining, while still maintaing a blade that was not a true stainless seemed to be their answer. I guess it could have been much worse than this. They were not however, at liberty to disclose the composition of the new steel to me just yet. Through the process of elimination, my best guess is that it may be either A-2 or perhaps D-2. Again, this is just one simple man's best guess. Just not a lot of steels out there with a carbon content higher than 52-100, possessing some stain resistance while not being classified as a true stainless. Also, they have listened to their customers complaining that the sheaths supplied with the old knives were not up to the standards set by their blades. New, higher quality sheaths are also to be part of the package.

Perhaps the best reassurance I got from talking with them is that they listened to what I had to say. It really was as if my opinion mattered. In fact, they seemed so confident in the the new steel's performance that they offered me a test mule to use and abuse as I see fit with the blade in return for my unbiased feedback and findings. As my current Plainsman is the model I prefer and have the most experience with, they agreed to send this model to me. Should be arriving next week. I initially plan to put the two knives through a side-by-side comparison cutting standard lengths of heavy cardboard, rope and wood to determine the differences between the two in terms of edge holding. I will also explore other areas such as sharpening ease, ultimate sharpness and stain/corrosion issues. It should prove to be valuable information. If anybody has any other ideas, just drop me a line. I will keep the forum updated as to my findings as well. Hopefully I will be able to keep the knife until this hunting season to see how it performs in it's intended role. Stay tuned.

My gut reaction to all of this is that Marble's may not be lying down to die after all. Just trying to stay alive in a very competitive business. After all, change is never really widely accepted at first, just look at CRK's switch from BG-42 to S30V. Even when improving their product they are subject to critism. Like CRK, time will tell if the change is for the better.
 
Well that sounds like some great news indeed.

I will certainly keep an eye out for your posts concerning the performance of the new Marbles as compared to the old, and my thanks in advance for the information.
 
Once I receive the knife and do some initial testing, look for the results to be posted in the Review Forum along with updates as they become available. Thanks for the interest.
 
I was contacted this morning by an interested party and I am proud to announce that we will have a surprise participant in this little test. A gentleman who we all know and respect has graciously volunteered to assist in this review. All I am willing to say for the moment is that his results will be certain to add considerable weight to this review as his status in the knife world is legendary :cool: This is getting better all the time. So stay tuned to find out more about our mystery guest and for some very informative results.
 
Originally posted by blademan 13
The main reason for the switch was for the purpose of broadening the appeal of their knives to a wider audience.
Click to expand...

Jamie,
I don't mean to be contentious, but wouldn't you agree that this is, by its very essence, a marketing decision? As I said before, no conclusions regarding this steel should be drawn until testing is completed. And with that in mind, I extend my sincere thanks to you (and the mystery guest ;)), for going to such lengths to bring this information to light. But I have to be honest and say that Marble's responses to our inquiries thus far haven't done much to clear the air of that bad smell I mentioned earlier. Remember, we haven't been diehard fans of Marbles blades because 52100 is such an expensive steel, we've been loyal customers because it's such a damn fine steel. Alternatively, I can easily imagine that there are a lot of relatively poorer performing stainless steels which are more expensive than 52100.

And though I hope your intuition is correct and the new steel turns out to be A2 or D2, I can't imagine what Marbles is hoping to gain by not simply calling it such. The cutlery neophytes who populate the "new markets" into which Marbles is seeking to expand could care less what the steel is called. But we who do take serious notice of such things are now forced to swallow something called Alchemite MC. Does such a corny and contrived name strike a chord with anybody here? (Former Dungeons and Dragons fanatics are excused from answering:))

I hope my fears turn out to be unfounded and eagerly await the results of your testing.
 
I do believe, and somebody correct me if I'm wrong, that pretty much any halfway decent form of stainless steel is much more expensive than 52100. If this is so, and Marbles is trying to merely save money, it would have to be a quantity issue on their steel order, which would drive them to choose an expensive stainless in order to cut overall costs. This sounds crazy, and is admittedly unlikely, but possibly true.

I am willing though, to keep a fair amount of trust in Marbles though. I’d very much like to know what the mystery steel actually is, but I have no choice but to respect Marbles decision to keep the formula a secret.

But…….. over and above everything else, I want to see some hard testing in comparison to a similar model in 52100. I want to see hard use like chopping, which has always been an impressive feature of my 52100 Marbles. I’ve been able to beat the snot out of my small Fieldcraft, with little damage to the edge. Yes, I’ve done hard chopping with a tiny Fieldcraft. If the new steel can handle this, and also be easy to field sharpen, I’ll continue to support Marbles in their efforts.

Oh yah. Thank god that Marbles is looking more closely at their sheaths. Those pancake sheaths of theirs were pretty bad.
 
Bill,

The main content of your post was almost exactly what I relayed to Marble's. If it is indeed a really good steel, why not let everyone in on it instead of covering it up with a fancy name meant to impress the uninformed. I do agree that it is in fact a marketing ploy meant to increase potential sales and not wholly in the name of higher performance.

Buzz,

Rest assured, the knife will be subjected to impacts that approach what would typically be encountered in real use. In addition to the mentioned edge holding tests on both heavy cardboard and rope, I plan on whittling some stakes from 1" Hard Maple dowels and I have a pile of seasoned Cherry 4" x 4"'s to fully exploit it's capabilities on chopping (including knots).
 
I too, am bothered by the fact that Marbles has not just told everyone exactly what steel it is.
 
OK guys, I was seriously considering ordering a 'Lil Handy in 52100 from Russell. What is the consensus? Would you wait for the review by Blademan 13 on the "new" steel or get one with the tried and true 52100 that has the "upgraded" sheath?
 
Rob,

I would definitely pick up one in 52100 if you have the chance. These blades have proven themselves and are a very nice cutting blade for the money. You can always pick up one in the new steel anytime. Better safe than sorry.
 
I think the 'Lil Handy from Russell is an exclusive anyway. You might not be able to get that in the new stainless if Russell decides to discontinue the deal with Marbles. The handle material is unique too. I think it'd be pretty safe to buy it from Russell if you're eyeing it.

If I wasn't saving up for a custom, I'd probably get one of the 'Lil Handies too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top