Looking for identification help: Marbles and Kinfolk

[Buck#1]

I have recently found these knives in an old toolbox at an estate sale. I am trying to determine exactly what I have: Brand/model, age, and possible value. A few pictures of each are included. The first is a Marbles Gladstone with a 5" blade. The original sheath is included. While doing my own research, and reading these forums, it looks like the Marbles is a favorite of many folks. I was curious if there is any significance to the number of red bands; this one having three. The second is a Kinfolk with a 4 1/2 " blade. On the backside tang looks like the # 330. The original sheath is shown as well. Both are dirty and with some light rusting or debris on the blade. Sitting in an old toolbox will do that, but my guess is they will clean up nicely by someone with that capability. I have been collecting stamps and coins for many years, and recently started finding some very interesting knives like these. . . love the history and the hunt! Thank you.

[stagman]

The knife is a Marble's Ideal, stacked leather scales with a stag pommel
Stamp indicates made between 1911-1930
But, the pinwheel design on the keeper strap button on the sheath was only used
during the MSA yrs, up to app. 1910.......so you have a very early 1911-13 or so Ideal,
or a bit later one with a earlier sheath, I am bettin its an early Ideal with the spacers used
Will

[jerryd6818]

Buck#1 -- Other than admiring them, I can't help you with your knives. I can tell you however, even if your visit turns out to be a one time shot, you are very welcome here.

[wlf]

Yes Buck#1 you have found a very community based forum,welcome.

[Buck#1]

Thanks Stagman. 100 years old !! That's great.
As I mentioned, I am a rookie when it comes to knives, "MSA years"? Also, can you tell me if there is any significance to the number of red bands? Just curious.

If you happen to know approximate value, I would appreciate it . .or can you point me to a good source? At some point in future, I may consider selling it.

Wlf and Jerryd: thanks for the kind words.
If I can help with anything, just say the word.

[Buck#1]

Jerryd: Since you are a Marine, my guess is you could tell me what this is? I picked it up a month ago, and to this day, it has me stumped.
While I do not think it is knife related, I thought you would find it interesting with USMC on it.

[Miller Bro's]

I picked it up a month ago, and to this day, it has me stumped.
While I do not think it is knife related, I thought you would find it interesting with USMC on it.

USMC in this case is an abbreviation for: United Shoe Machine Co.

See here for more info I posted in the past.

http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... =4&t=18231

[1967redrider]

Good call, stagman.

[jerryd6818]

Buck#1 -- Miller Bro's (Dimitri) beat me to it. What he said is correct. That company made a lot of things. What you'll see most are shoemakers tools with the USMC logo. One of my favorite products with that logo is this. Your brass piece could be from about anything.

[Buck#1]

That's make sense . . I was looking in the wrong place all this time.

You guys are good!

[stagman]

Thanks Redrider, and here you are with all them gorgeous Stag Marble's knives in your
collection !!! I still drool a bit when I run up on that Ideal of yours !!!
Course, I seem to be doing a little more of that 24-7 these days LOL

And they at Marble's seem too use them red spacers in the 3-band configuration
a lot more in the early 1900's then say late 1920's -30's
Least that is what I noticed trading these knives for 40 plus yrs
Stag

[tongueriver]

I have a nice hard-cover book, The Encyclopedia of Marbles Knives & Sporting Collectibles, published in 2005. It has tons of info on the Marbles. Meanwhile, I have a note here from somewhere suggesting that there was a bankruptcy in the autumn of 2009. Apparently there have been many changes in the last ten years at Marbles. I wish there was some source to sort all of this out. I am not interested in their Chinese stuff (duh!) but apparently towards the end there was some very nice product coming out of the company. I would love to know more about what happened. I was told at a local gun show that some former employees were making knives in Casper, Wyoming. ? Any thoughts would be appropriate in this thread, maybe? Meanwhile, here are a couple nice old ones.

[jerryd6818]

And here are a couple of really nice newer ones. (1990s? - 2000s?)

[tongueriver]

Great knives, Jerry! I really like that wood. The Woodcraft and Ideal blades are probably the most copied pattern ever. The M3 knife used in WWII and later is really an Ideal at heart, and the Woodcraft has probably never been surpassed as a skinner, although the drop-point might be a little better all-around knife. Anyway, what's not to like about Marbles!

[stagman]

Tongueriver, they were hittin on all cylinders after Jim & Craig Lauerman bought Marble's in 1994...got Mike Stewart to head the knife division and as far as I am concerned, made some of the best knives ever made from 1997-2001..52/100 steel, killer stag, wood, horn, bone, some beautifull scales......late 2001 or early 2002, George Brinkley, ex WR Case & sons boss was hired on as president...right away took out the Gladstone Mich. USA out of the stamp and went to just Marble's... changed blade steel, Mike quit and started Bark River knives....... in 2004 Brinkley bought out the Lauermans,,, it all went to **** from their, china knives by the boatload, Cammillus making their knives till they went out of business, doors shut for good in sept. 2009...he ruined the company, and is a hated man in the state of Michigan

Every time I see your name on a post, I was on a hike in Montana 40 year ago and met a Cheyenne fella, told me a long the story handed down to him of a battle the Cheyennes fought against the US Gov and with a big sweeping motion of his arms said, this all took place on the River of Tongues !!!!

Jerry, you got the good uns as I can see the stamp in your pics.

Hope this sheds a little lite on the Marble's saga
Stag

[1967redrider]

Thanks Redrider, and here you are with all them gorgeous Stag Marble's knives in your
collection !!! I still drool a bit when I run up on that Ideal of yours !!!
Course, I seem to be doing a little more of that 24-7 these days LOL

And they at Marble's seem too use them red spacers in the 3-band configuration
a lot more in the early 1900's then say late 1920's -30's
Least that is what I noticed trading these knives for 40 plus yrs
Stag

Thanks, stagman, I love those old Marbles knives and their vintage sporting gear.

[Buck#1]

Love the story and history on Marbles.

BTW: I take it the Kinfolk knife I also showed a few pictures of in original post is not much of anything?

[coffeecup]

Well, it is a knife. Kinfolks made some nice knives, and yours is a handy size for using--you've even got a sheath (always a plus). Another point is that it doesn't have that nasty chrome or whatever they used on a lot of knives.

That said, for this one, condition is more of a factor than rarity. On a good day, you might get around $30 for it on ebay (which kind of establishes prices for the world now), or maybe trade it for something you like more. Or you can keep it, and have a darn good bird and trout knife for your own use.

[Buck#1]

Thanks Coffeecup!

[Miller Bro's]

Buck, check your messages, upper right hand corner at the top of the page

[Quick Steel]

Meanwhile, here are a couple nice old ones.

tongueriver: Those are two beautiful Marbles.

stagman: Thanks for the great info on Marbles.