One for the Bush- Marbles Machete

[bearthedog]

I think it’s safe to say I’m a machete guy. For bush skills in the tropics, big blades rule. There is almost the complete absence of the medium sized fixed blade, except for in the kitchen.

I got the Marbles 14” machete a few months ago and finally had a chance to use it on a bush trip in the jungle. It follows the recent trend of a US company having their blades made in Central America and assembling them in the US.

Two stand out features are: A convex edge and a useable sharp point. The blade is my favorite thinness, 3/32”.

Quick workout stateside

Jungle Fire Craft

At this point the Marbles logo was all rubbed off

Food prep

The sharp point makes incising animals possible.

Among friends

Worthy of real world bush use in the jungle.
Combined with a small SAK, there isn’t much one couldn’t do in the Tropics!

 

[Shaggy]

Nice review/great pix, bearthedog. Did you sand down the handle to bring it flush to the blade tang?

 

[bearthedog]

Nice review/great pix, bearthedog. Did you sand down the handle to bring it flush to the blade tang?

Yes I did. Just used an electric hand sander. After a lot of use this past week and a half, there is a lot of handle play. Seems the scales are loose, but the pins are still intact.

-RB

 

[Gossman Knives]

Thanks for the review. The machete definately shines in the jungle enviroment.
Scott

 

[TheGame]

I have the 18" and the 14"bolo from them. I haven't used the bolo much yet, but they are both pretty good, once you fix the handles.

Thanks for the review and pics.

 

[bearthedog]

I have the 18" and the 14"bolo from them. I haven't used the bolo much yet, but they are both pretty good, once you fix the handles.

Thanks for the review and pics.

I like the look of the 18” machete. I have a few 18” machetes and can’t think of any good reason to get another.
What do you think of it? Is the handle still reminiscent to a thick deck of cards?

-RB

 

[TheGame]

I like the look of the 18” machete. I have a few 18” machetes and can’t think of any good reason to get another.
What do you think of it? Is the handle still reminiscent to a thick deck of cards?

-RB

I love it for slicing vegetation and small-medium chopping duty. It's well worth the $15 I paid for it. The handle is more or less just two pieces of wood put on, just as the others. But once you fix that minor issue, it is a fantastic overall machete. :thumbup:

 

[bearthedog]

I love it for slicing vegetation and small-medium chopping duty. It's well worth the $15 I paid for it. The handle is more or less just two pieces of wood put on, just as the others. But once you fix that minor issue, it is a fantastic overall machete. :thumbup:

got any photos of it being used?

-RB

 

[TheGame]

I have a pic of it with others, but not being used. I will see about getting some tomorrow if I can brave the heat that we have. Here is a pic for size comparison to some other blades, though:

Here is some of what it did. About half of this was done with the Marbles 18" and the other half with the 15" Condor bolo.

Before anything was done:

What was under that tree (which fell about 30 feet from my house)

As an overall performance, I'd say the stuff up to about 4" the 18" was better. Thicker, the 15" Condor Bolo was better.

 

[bearthedog]

I have a pic of it with others, but not being used. I will see about getting some tomorrow if I can brave the heat that we have. Here is a pic for size comparison to some other blades, though:

Here is some of what it did. About half of this was done with the Marbles 18" and the other half with the 15" Condor bolo.

Before anything was done:

What was under that tree (which fell about 30 feet from my house)

As an overall performance, I'd say the stuff up to about 4" the 18" was better. Thicker, the 15" Condor Bolo was better.

Thank you. Glad it missed your house. What a great reason to do some chopping.

-RB

 

[TheGame]

Thank you. Glad it missed your house. What a great reason to do some chopping.

-RB

No problem. Thanks, if the storm decided to come from the east for some reason, it would have crushed my house. I was outside in the rain (which was about 1" per half hour) and there was a strong gust and it took it down. Narrowly missed my pool, too. Did happen to make almost all my back yard un-shaded in mid-day though.

 

[bearthedog]

No problem. Thanks, if the storm decided to come from the east for some reason, it would have crushed my house. I was outside in the rain (which was about 1" per half hour) and there was a strong gust and it took it down. Narrowly missed my pool, too. Did happen to make almost all my back yard un-shaded in mid-day though.

Again, not to make light of it and glad it didn't harm anyone, but looks like a chopping party to me!

Do you have any photos of the work you did on that tree with any of the tools? I bet they got a real work out.

-RB

 

[TheGame]

Unfortunately I didn't even think to take pics after that. It was all work to clear it up. A lot of that tree is still laying down out back, though. There is plenty of thick logs out there chainsawed in sections, just laying there. All the "thinner" material was chopped up and burnt in bonfires this spring/winter.

As for chopping party, aside from the first 40-50 feet of the tree, everything was done with machetes/large knives. It was a blast to chop up. Definitely got a good work out with that tree. As it stands now, we may have another one come down this year if we get some strong winds. A cottonwood outback has been sounding like it is going to fall each and every time we get 20+ gusts. I don't know what will happen when we get a storm with 60-70MPH gusts.

EDIT: Here is the base of that tree

 

[coaldigger]

Nice review ! How does it compare to the Tramontina machete ? I have a 14" Tram & a 24" tram.

 

[D2FB]

bearthedog, is the machete referenced in my title and shown below basically the same machete as the one you review, except for the black coated blade and the textured composition handle with paracord wrapping? Have you seen these, used one, or otherwise heard of these from other users? Are the composition handles usually more fitted to blade, lessening the handle work necessary before using? Maybe Joezilla can chime in if he has any experience with the Marble's black machete.

·Fire hardened carbon steel blade with black coating
·Black composition handle with roughened texture for grip and paracord wrapping
·Full tang construction
·Lanyard hole
·20-1/2" overall
·Nylon belt sheath with utility pocket and sharpening stone
·Made in El Salvador by people who know how to survive in the jungle!

 

[Tim the Slugman]

I bought the model you show at SMKW about a month ago. it is my favorite machete now. I take it out every evening after work & play around the yard. cutting everything that I can reach that is hanging down or small trees that needs removing. I will be getting the 18" wire wrapped handle model next. it holds a great edge.

 

[daniel4572]

Every time I read oneof your threads it costs me money!!!

 

[pretty-toney]

just got the wire wrapped version i'd recommend against it. basically the wire is also set/painted in epoxy/lacquer that flakes off and feels like a cheese grater on bare hands. either going to remove it or cover with an innertube

 

[dakine]

Got the same black machete, highly recommended. Also got the bolo and 18" machete. Most either have inner tube wraps or camo form.

 

[bearthedog]

Got the same black machete, highly recommended. Also got the bolo and 18" machete. Most either have inner tube wraps or camo form.

What are the specs on the black one?

Also, does it have a useable point that is sharp?

-RB