Restoring a Marbles Ideal
- orvet
- Gold Tier

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Restoring a Marbles Ideal
Since I did not take in a before pictures I will just share the after pictures.
I picked up an old Marbles Ideal some time back that had bad leather rings but the rest of the knife was in relatively good condition, a little pitting and some scratches on the blade. Using very fine wet or dry sandpaper, all the way up to 5000 grit and using a piece of leather mounted on the board (so I could clamp it in my vice) I use some Emory rouge and 3-in-1 oil or WD-40 to help make it stick to the leather. I used that method to remove most of the scratches by hand, and I was surprised at how effective it was. I chose to do it by hand because I have much better control and don't take off as much metal as can happen with the buffer. A round wheel on a buffer is not ideal for polishing what is a mostly flat surface. Even though it's a little bit of work, I think the end result is better than a highly buffed blade.
I was also surprised how effective it is when sharpening a knife as well.
I kept the old guard and pommel as well as the fiber and brass spacers, I replaced the old leather rings with new rings at either end and a piece of stabilized elk stag is the main part of the handle. The elk stag was from an eye guard and is a little bit oval in shape and comes down little lower than the old handle did but it really gives a much better grip in my opinion.
I hope y'all enjoy the pictures!
I picked up an old Marbles Ideal some time back that had bad leather rings but the rest of the knife was in relatively good condition, a little pitting and some scratches on the blade. Using very fine wet or dry sandpaper, all the way up to 5000 grit and using a piece of leather mounted on the board (so I could clamp it in my vice) I use some Emory rouge and 3-in-1 oil or WD-40 to help make it stick to the leather. I used that method to remove most of the scratches by hand, and I was surprised at how effective it was. I chose to do it by hand because I have much better control and don't take off as much metal as can happen with the buffer. A round wheel on a buffer is not ideal for polishing what is a mostly flat surface. Even though it's a little bit of work, I think the end result is better than a highly buffed blade.
I was also surprised how effective it is when sharpening a knife as well.
I kept the old guard and pommel as well as the fiber and brass spacers, I replaced the old leather rings with new rings at either end and a piece of stabilized elk stag is the main part of the handle. The elk stag was from an eye guard and is a little bit oval in shape and comes down little lower than the old handle did but it really gives a much better grip in my opinion.
I hope y'all enjoy the pictures!
Dale
AAPK Administrator
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AAPK Administrator
Please visit my AAPK store: www.allaboutpocketknives.com/orvet
Job 13:15
"Buy more ammo!" - Johnnie Fain
“Evil is Powerless If The Good are Unafraid.” – Ronald Reagan
- tongueriver
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Re: Restoring a Marbles Ideal
Great work, Dale!
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Reverand
- Gold Tier

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Re: Restoring a Marbles Ideal
Looks great dressed in stag!
Jesus is life.
Everything else is just a hobby.
~Reverand
Everything else is just a hobby.
~Reverand
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SophiaWilliams55
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Re: Restoring a Marbles Ideal
Excellent job! I assume the first Marble knives were die forged, similar to Roselli knives today. My Ideal has a 5" blade. How about yours?
- Meridian_Mike
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Re: Restoring a Marbles Ideal
WOW... VERY nice job Dale.
I'm glad to see you are back in your shop!
Keep 'em coming bro!

I'm glad to see you are back in your shop!
Keep 'em coming bro!
"Life is tough.... but it's tougher if you're stupid."....John Wayne
- TripleF
- Gold Tier

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Re: Restoring a Marbles Ideal
Gorgeous!! Knice job!!
SCOTT
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Colonial Knife Company History ebook:
https://gumroad.com/l/ZLDb
Blog: https://scottrauberoutdoors.wordpress.c ... e-26-2026/
- Madmarco
- Gold Tier

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Re: Restoring a Marbles Ideal
Hi Sophia!SophiaWilliams55 wrote: ↑Mon May 30, 2022 6:44 am Excellent job! I assume the first Marble knives were die forged, similar to Roselli knives today. My Ideal has a 5" blade. How about yours?
- glennbad
- Gold Tier

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Re: Restoring a Marbles Ideal
Just beautiful!
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Bloodhound
- Silver Tier

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Re: Restoring a Marbles Ideal
SWEET...another classic brought back to life!
"...Boys, those pocket knives are nice...but someday when you have grown to be men, you'll own a Case like this one here..."
Quote: My 4th grade teacher, Mr. Shipman
Quote: My 4th grade teacher, Mr. Shipman
- btrwtr
- Gold Tier

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Re: Restoring a Marbles Ideal
Very nice save!
If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.
Wayne
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Wayne
Please visit My AAPK store https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/catalog/btrwtr