Marbles knives

nmikash · Post by **nmikash** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 4:54 am

I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience with Marbles knives. Are they decent quality? Are they U.S. made? Thanks...Nick

sunburst · Post by **sunburst** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 1:25 am

That's a good question, I have searched the archives looking for the opinions of others and it seems like the general thinking is that the earlier models were great with the newer ones questionable.

Hopefully others can tell us where they are being produced these days...?

Here is a picture of a marbles knife I am thinking about purchasing...It looks pretty good to me...

Sunburst

goatman · Post by **goatman** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 4:03 am

that marbles knife you are picturing is made in china.

PA Knives · Post by **PA Knives** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 12:25 pm

HEY Goatman,

Where you located. Nice to see a fellow Pennsylvanian on the list. As for Marbles, I feel that they are nice looking but will not increase in value any time soon. No where comparable to the orginals. Remember, if you likem, buyem, but don't expect others to feel the exact same way as you do. Knives are only worth what someone is willing to pay and the hobby isn't strickly based on the profit or loss, but how much you enjoy the knife. JMO though

sunburst · Post by **sunburst** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 2:47 pm

Thanks for your reply's goatman & pa,

What is the breakoff year for Marbles knives where they moved production out of the USA and into the China manufacturing arena.??? I personally would still like to get involved in collecting more USA manufactured knives and not only collect German cutlery and Case. My favorite stuff is the pre 70 knives but affordability comes into play, but I have found some affordable Kabar & Camillus items

here lately...They might not be worth much but that's not why I started this knife collecting anyway, it's that pesky itch that get's under your skin where you just like a knife and the hunt that usually goes along with it...

I could protest purchasing this knife because of where it is made but like pa said;

Remember, if you likem, buyem, but don't expect others to feel the exact same way as you do. Knives are only worth what someone is willing to pay and the hobby isn't strickly based on the profit or loss, but how much you enjoy the knife

.

Besides if I am going to protest purchasing this product because of where it has been farmed out for manufacturing I would have to give up 80% of the products we consume in our country made elsewhere because of cheaper labor markets.

I am not condoning this action of giving away our jobs to other countries but it sure seems that the battle has long been lost on that battlefront no matter what I think or do...

Thanks

Sunburst

Roger - 50/2050 · Post by **Roger - 50/2050** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 4:44 pm

Hey sunburst,

----- AMEN!!! ---> U.S.A. ALL THE WAY!!!

----- sunburst, it seems I have heard a few years ago that the U.S.A. made Marbles knives were made between 1898 to 1948 & was picked back up in 1992 to 1996 by Parker's knife collecting service, check the information out in the Goins' Encyclopedia on page #175 on the Tang Stamp markings.

"Texas collector", Roger - 50/2050

goatman · Post by **goatman** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 3:35 am

paknives, i live near wattsburg just a short sunday drive to the home of my favorite queen knives. sunburst, i actually bought a marbles elephant toenail. it is a nice knife however i was surprised when i saw china on the blade.

SFC ADP · Post by **SFC ADP** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 3:47 am

I Just got in a Marbles knife today with the hatchet blade, and it was made in China. Nice looking knife and has someweight to it. I got it to go with my Taylor Cherry Tree Chopper. I was unaware the company had now went to China, but I am happy with the knife.

goatman · Post by **goatman** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 4:27 am

i really like those hatchet blade knives but could someone tell me what the actual working use was for them?

sunburst · Post by **sunburst** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 11:31 am

I have a 115 lb Bullmastiff that at times I sure could use that hatchet

..Then again my wife might want to use it on me

Nice pair of knives, I too have been attracted by that combination because it's so different.

Take care,

Sunburst

PA Knives · Post by **PA Knives** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 1:30 pm

Goatman,

HEy, were like neighbors then, I am near McKean. We will need to get together someday and swap stories. small world sometimes.

stagman · Post by **stagman** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 4:14 pm

Well folk's, in my opinion, Marbles was the premier fixed blade knife maker in the USA from 1900-1940. Steadily went on the decline from there. They did have Nothwoods cutlery make some nice quality folders for them in the 1990's (contract knives) Also they made some decent fixed blade knives from late 90's into the 2000's with 52/100 steel. Living here in Michigan I have been chasing old Marbles down for years. I attached a photo of one of my old Woodcraft models
Stagman

El Lobo · Post by **El Lobo** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 5:32 pm

The old Marble's knives were certainly great knives.
This one was given to my late Grandfather...passed on to my Dad...and then to me.

MARBLE'S
GLADSTONE, MICH. U.S.A.

Bill

stagman · Post by **stagman** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 6:23 pm

Hey El Lobo
Old Marbles
Passed on thru 3 generations
Don't get much better !!!

El Lobo · Post by **El Lobo** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 7:06 pm

I'm gonna try to make it 4 generations...

My 29 year old is just catching the knife bug.

Bill