Obenauf, Carson, or Marlowe?

S

SpyderJon

Joined
Jan 27, 2002
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Howdy all! I'm looking for some advice. If you had to pick ONE of the following, which would it be and why:

1. Obenauf Small Model 2

2. Kit Carson M4 Hunter

OR

3. A Charles Marlowe Bulldog

I'd be particularly interested in any stories that you might be able to share about your experiences. Oh, and I AM aware that 1 & 2 are related! Thanks!

Sincerely,
Anthony
 
I had never had a chance to handle these knives in person prior to attending the Blade Show last summer. IMO, you can't go wrong with any of these gentlemen.

I handled many Carsons and never found one that was less than stellar, this including some previously owned ones. One of the few makers who's knife I would buy sight unseen. Perfect lockup on everyone of them. Probably the best in terms of investment and resale.

Obenauf is pretty much the same as Kit, but I slightly prefer Kit's designs.

Charles makes a fine knife and his blades are really about as sharp as possible. You hear a lot of guys who make a sharp blade, this guy delivers with a true vorpal edge. Just wicked. His designs are IMO more "tactical" than the others, but are every bit as good in function.

I would say with complete confidence that any of these blades will have satisfactory function and build quality. I would make my final decision based on things like how much you want to spend, how quickly you would like it and what design ultimately floats your boat.
 
I've had 'em all!!! The only thing I can honestly tell you is this; You will not regret either of the three. That's it in a nutshell. Just plan on all three and go with the Carson first.

Hope I haven't muddied the waters TOO much!:eek: :cool: :D :)
 
Carsons are my primary focus in regards to collecting. They are stellar users too! I have a couple of dedicated users, but keep my others nice and pristine (although the knives themselves aren't happy about being kept in a vault!)

Obie's are great as well, had several over the last couple of years, but have either traded or sold them for some reason or another. Nothing against them, I'm just strange.

Marlowes are a whole different breed of knife. They are, in my mind, the best "user" buys of the century. The overall fit, finish, etc. is really great (Carson's are better, but Kit has a lot more experience under his belt) Charles uses thick stock, usually 5/32 or 3/16, and hollow grinds those suckers down to a whisper. They are soooo sharp. I have a new style tac recurve in BG-42 w/ 3/16 inch stock, that shaves hair before the edge even touches my skin. It was without a doubt the sharpest knife I've ever owned, RJ Martin scary sharp!

I'm sending an e-mail your way, so heads up.
 
I've owned several Carsons; Presently own an Obenauf large frame lock, and have handled a Marlowe.

If I had to choose one, I'd have go Marlowe.

Why...

While all three are flawless examples of the art of knifemaking by extremely talented men, the lower price of the Marlowe and the extreme sharpness of his blade edge are factors you just can't overlook. I love to get a new knife from a maker that is just razor sharp, and the only one to date that has filled that bill has been Randy Martin. When I first handled a buddies Marlowe, I just figured that Charles must be related to Randy somehow!:D

Good luck on your decision.;)

Frank:cool:
 
Couldn't have made your choice/selection a little bit easier ? ;)

I've got Carson's. I've got Obie's. Have only had the opportunity to handle Marlowe's work (definitely have one on my "want list !").

All 3 make exceptional knives - no doubt about it ! So, it basically comes down to what wets your whistle.

Is it going to sit in a safe or in a display case ? Or is it going to be a user ?

Availability comes in to play. . .Kit's wares aren't necessarily scarce. . .but they ain't all that easy to get. Of course, availability will drive how much $$ you're going to spend ? Kit's stuff is quite a bit more expensive than your other 2 selections.

Rack'em and stack'em:

#1 - Kit (hell, he's been doin' this for some time and I think that his "almost" cult type following attests to his wares, which also speak for themselves)

#2 - Obie & Marlowe (Yep. . .a tie. Both are outstanding up-starters and have Carson-level potential)


I don't know how deep your purse-strings ( not to imply that you carry one ;) ) run. . .so it kinda hard to make a fair call on this.

If frog skins are an issue. . .look at getting a C2O (Carson, Carson & Obie) or an Obie or a Marlowe.

Hope we helped. :D
 
Roger pretty much summed it up. All three are winners, but the Carson is a lot more collectable currently.
 
I have never seen a Carson or Marlowe upfront and personnal. What I'll tell you is that I have found both my Mayo TNT and my JW Smith Evolution to be better finished - by a very small margin - than my Obenauf frame lock. Again, it's a small thing, but for me it's clear.
 
I've owned all three and agree that there is no wrong choice. Personally, I would go with Carson first but I do have an Obie M2 that I use nearly EDC. IMO, the Carson M4 is an icon and that says a lot.
 
Most people here know by now I am a huge Carson fan. I'm also a closet Obenauf junkie (just don't tell Kit :) )

I've handled marlowe's but never have owned them. The ones I have handled were well built and well finished. They tend to be thicker and almost "overbuilt." That is not my personal taste, but by no means takes anything away from the quality. Some of his slim modles caught my eye and I wouldn't shy away from one if the right one came my way.

My first custom folder I ever owned was a Carson medium M4. I have sold and traded many Carsons throughout collecting, but this one has never left my side. There is just something about the medium M4 that I absolutely love. For me, it's the best folder design I've handled. I currently own 7 or so Carsons (i lose count) and at least 5 are folders that get used/carried. They have never failed under any circumstances and the fit and finish is always top notch. The knives function as a good knife should, and Kit has the best customer service I have seen.

I currently own 2 Obenaufs and 2 on order (one with mike and one through Joel Pirela) His fit and finish is great and the knives function beautifuly. I have carried/used both of the ones I currently own. I would never hesitate to trust them in any situation.

So, to sum it all up... If the knife is going to be a user, any of the 3 will serve you amazingly well. Pick the one that fits your hand and pocket book best. If possible, try and find away to handle examples of all 3. Buy the one that speaks to you.

If you want something to collect and pass down, buy a Carson first. I don't doubt the others will have collectibility and great desirability in the future as well, but from a collectors point, the secondary market on the Carsons is well established and strong. And that is a huge area to look at when selecting a custom for investment/collectability.

My suggestion is buy one to use, and use it well. It will do everything you a knife should do and never let you down doing it. Also, I can reccomend any of the three because I know Mike and Kit personally and have met Charles at Blade. They are all three stand up individuals, and that is as important as the knife they make.

JR
 
Thanks for all the replies so far! I know now that Kit isn't currently taking orders :( so I guess the search begins. I have emails out to the other two with questions as to wait times. These knives would be part of a daily rotation, not strictly collector pieces. Of course, the knowledge that I could probably get most of the money I put into the knives out of them if needed IS an incentive. Its why my first real custom knife was a Don Morrow slipjoint.

By the by, Thanks for the offer wire edge, I'm sorry I'm living in such a restrictive district:mad: :barf: :yawn: :( ! Beautiful knife though!

I just want nice knives to use every day, and these seem to be the best that I can find. Please keep the responses coming!

Sincerely,
Anthony

Edited to add: I live in a place where I have to get the smaller customs in order to remain legal. This means a small Carson, Obenauf, and a custom small Marlowe. The limit is 3". Also I don't think I'll be paying for a TNT anytime soon, as they just don't appeal to me at all. Thanks, though!
 
There is a dealer right here on the forums that has a pretty good supply of Carson's in stock right now.

He even has a small (>3") Model 4.

Not a plug, but a fact.
 
Hey Spyderjon,
Shoot me an e-mail and I'll try and help you find what you want in a Carson.

Phillip :)
 
If you're limited to a > 3" blade, find a small Carson M4. Somehow, Kit has managed to make a small knife, yet it fills a large hand.
BTW, mine ain't for sale:D

My next choice would be a small Obenauf #2 framelock. The lockup "sings" everytime knife is opened. Only knife I own has that a musical characteristic when locking up:cool:

I own a Marlowe, too. I'd like to compare my A2 SOF to one of RJ Martin's grinds. I don't know how anyone could beat the Marlowe in sharpness.

Good luck,

Barry H
 
I ordered a gent/tac (bulldog) in S30V from Marlowe about 5 months ago, it arrived last friday. I have a Carson model 4 (large) and a Bogie Cobra to compare it to, and believe me, it fits right in with the big boys in quality and appeal. I will be getting another one some day with different scales. Sharp ? Not an adequate descripion if you ask me, I have never seen a "shop edge" like this , I stropped it a few strokes and put it to my leg to shave a few hairs and took off a micron thickness membrane of skin off my leg and never felt it, no drag what so ever. Get a Marlowe now, The pursuit of Carsons will only get worse.Charles Marlowe's work will increase in demand in stride, heck, I have an old Carson ad for a $300.00 Large Model 4 . Don't I wish I would have picked up a couple back then. Email me if you want to see some pics of a S30V bulldog. fuzzy.
 
could you email me pics of that bull dog? what is the thickness of the edge?
 
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